Listed below are some common general questions regarding the Delta-T Pro controllers. If none of these FAQ's address your question, please call Heliodyne customer service at 888.878.8750 or email us.
Pro Controller Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What version of software is my controller running?
A: The software version is can be found in the title of the controller's home page. It is also on the 'Update' page for WiFi versions.
A: The software version is can be found in the title of the controller's home page. It is also on the 'Update' page for WiFi versions.
Q: What are the latest versions of software and where do I get the file to upgrade?
A: The latest versions will be in the downoad section of this website. The WiFi versions allow for upgrading through the controller's web browser. Click here to get a compressed (.ZIP) file of the most recent version. NEW: with release notes. Unzip the the file and load the .BIN file into the controller's web page. See the user manual for further instructions.
Q: Why can't I upgrade my Ethernet controller through the web browser?
A: The Ethernet controllers use a different approach to operate. The controller's boot file is stored on the same memory chip that runs the controller, making an upgrade a lot more complex to get correct. This is in contrast to the WiFi controllers, which store the boot file in flash, and then copy it to fast SRAM at runtime - two separate locations.
Q: What is a static IP Address?
A: An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical label that is assigned to devices on a computer network, static infers 'not changing'. There are two types of IP addresses, Global and Local. Every internet web site in the world has a Global IP address. We don't have to remember these numbers because of a great thing called Domain Name Service (DNS) lookup. When you type in www.google.com, your local internet provider looks up the IP address for that domain name and directs your browser there.
Similar to the WWW, each machine on a home or office network will have its own unique local IP address. There are a few rules for the numbering of IP addresses, so in order to be connected to your home network AND view the controller's web site at the same time, the controller must be updated with network settings that are compatible to that network. Unlike the WWW, a simple home network does not have the capability to assign names to IP addresses, so this is why the controller must be accessed via the set static IP address.
Q: Why does the Pro come with such a weird preset IP address?
A: Computers are programmed to manually get internet configuration settings via the network, known as DHCP. Learn about DHCP here. When a computer does not receive these settings, after a while it assigns itself a link local address, which is among a special range of IP addresses reserved for this case. Since the Delta-T Pro is not a DHCP server, and cannot assign network addresses, we set the IP address to 169.254.148.50 at our factory so when the connecting computer goes to this link local address, you can access the controller software.
Q: Why do I get a timeout error in my browser when I try and connect to the controller?
A: As also explained here, the controller is not a DHCP server, so in order to be able to communicate with the Pro before it has been setup on a network, with a direct cable connection [Ethernet], or the 'DTT Pro WiFi' Ad-Hoc network for [WiFi] controllers, you have to wait while the computer assigns itself a link local address. After the computer has finished this process (up to one minute), refresh your browser (PC: 'F5', MAC: cmd+r) to bring up the controller interface.
Q: How do I choose an IP Address?
A: If you choose to set an IP address manually (as opposed to the DHCP setup option), you need to choose an address that is currently unassigned to any other machine (click here to find out how to get this information), and is out of the way of the DHCP server range by your router. Learn about this here. Without too much trouble, using a number similar to your router (also called gateway) usually works, just change the last group of numbers. For example: if your gateway is 192.168.1.1, try choosing 192.168.1.10, or 192.168.1.20). Do not choose any addresses that end with ".0", ".1", or ".255" as these addresses are generally reserved. The range for any of the 4 numbers is 0 to 255.
Q: How do I find out my computer's IP, subnet mask or gateway?
A: For PC's: From the Start menu, select "run" (alternatively hit the windows logo button and the key 'r' on your keyboard at the same time), type in: "cmd" and hit enter. In the black command prompt popup, type in "ipconfig" and hit enter. This will display the unique IP Address, LAN Gateway (router) and Subnet mask for your computer. Use the LAN Subnet mask and Gateway for the controller setup, but remember, the IP address listed here is already in use by your computer, so you will need to choose a different IP address for the controller.
For Apple computers running the latest Apple software: navigate to the Apple icon in the top left of the screen and click, then System Preferences. Click on Network. Make sure the network you are connected to is highlighted and green, and click on advanced in the bottom right. Next, select TCP/IP from the row of buttons. This will display the unique IP Address, LAN Gateway (router) and Subnet mask for your computer.
Q: What is an SSID and how do I find mine?
A: SSID is just tech jargon for the wireless network name; it stands for Service Set Identifier. The default SSID for the controller is called "DTT Pro WiFi." If you don't know the wireless network you are on, you can find out on a PC, by navigating Start -> Control Panel --> Network Connections. Right-click on your wireless connection icon and select status to get the network name.
To find the network name on an Apple computer, navigate to the top right and click on the wireless signal strength indicator to view your current WiFi network.
Q: What is encryption and why can't I use WEP?
A: Encryption is a method of keeping a wireless network secure. There are several methods. Open and WiFi Protected Access [WPA (TKIP algorithm) and WPA-2 (CCMP / AES)] are what the Pro WiFi controllers support. WPA protection methods are the current standard and most secure means of protecting wireless networks. Because of the code space each of these methods takes to support, the older and less secure WEP method is not supported. If you have an older router that does not support WPA encryption, your option is either to upgrade your router, or move to an Ethernet Pro controller.
Ethernet controllers do not have encryption, since it takes a physical connection to access a network.
Q: What is DHCP?
A: DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A DHCP server is a computer or router that automatically assigns unique IP addresses to each computer on a network; this makes connecting to a network with a computer easy. DHCP servers will take a request from a computer that is looking to join (or is renewing) a network and assign it a unique available local IP address from the range of addresses it is allowed to assign. This range may either be set by your IT Administrator, or in the case of a home network, the router would have a default range set. If configuring your Pro controller to a static address, it is important to assign the controller one that is outside of this range, as duplicate IP addresses may be assigned, and may force a lockout on the controller interface. For information on viewing or changing the DHCP range of your router, consult the documentation that came with your equipment.
These IP address assignments, called leases, typically last for a limited amount time (usually several days), after which they need to be renewed. You are not guaranteed that the IP address for a particular computer will remain the same from lease to lease, however that is typical. DHCP servers can be configured to assign the same IP address to a computer time after time.
Without good IT skills, it is difficult to discover the IP address, say of a DHCP assigned controller, which is why Heliodyne has a 'Discovery' tool for that purpose. Click here to learn more about the discovery tool.
Q: Now that my device has been successfully configured via DHCP, how do I find it on my network?
A: Click here to download a compressed (.ZIP) folder containing an application that will search your network for a Heliodyne Delta-T Pro controller and display the controller. At this point we do not have an application for Apple computers, check back later.
Q: I filled out the controller's networking page with my WiFi information, but it resets back to the factory defaults.
A: If the controller cannot establish a connection to your wireless network, it will reset back to its default settings within 1-2 minutes. The most common reasons for this are:
• The Static IP address was not valid, or is already used by another device. Try a different address (ex, if you tried 192.168.1.20, try 192.168.1.21 or 192.168.1.22).
• The SSID name or password was entered incorrectly. Verify you are entering the correct data, names and passwords are case-sensitive.
• The encryption key is incorrect. Verify you have the right encryption mode selected (either Open, WPA or WPA2). If your network is open, select 'Open' from the options; you can leave the password field empty.
Q: I reconfigured the controller's network settings, and now I can access it on my WiFi network. How do I gain access the monitoring web page?
A: Once the controller is set on the home network, go to the link under the settings tab that says 'Setup Monitoring Communication'. Fill out the email form with the required information, your MAC address will be in the browser address bar for easy reference, click here to go to the email page. You should get an email back from Heliodyne within 1-2 business days with login information for the monitoring web site.
Q: What version of software is my controller running?
A: The software version is can be found in the title of the controller's home page. It is also on the 'Update' page for WiFi versions.
Q: Why can't I connect to my controller with a computer running Windows 8 or Android?
A: Windows 8 and Android systems do not allow for connecting to Ad-Hoc. To set up on a network without connecting to Ad-Hoc, contact Heliodyne for special application download