Brightness/Contrast

[drek89]

Recently the brightness/contrast has been going really dim to the point that I can't see it at all. If I catch it soon enough I can go back into the Contrast settings and adjust it by 1 and back it will return to normal. It's just getting to be a pita so if anyone has suggestions please do chime in
Thanks,
Derek

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by drek89

Recently the brightness/contrast has been going really dim to the point that I can't see it at all. If I catch it soon enough I can go back into the Contrast settings and adjust it by 1 and back it will return to normal. It's just getting to be a pita so if anyone has suggestions please do chime in
Thanks,
Derek

Other people have reported something similar, but I think Bill is going to have to see this. I sure don't have any suggestions for you. Derek, I'm guessing you have the monochrome Gryphon, not the newer CS/CTS platform?

- Jack

[drek89]

Correct, I have the standard monochrome Gryphon.

[Power Hungry]

That's really odd that the contrast would start going dim and then changing the setting in the options restores it. A couple questions:

How frequently does this occur? Every key cycle? Frequently? Weekly? Every few weeks?

Once it starts to dim, how long does it take for the contrast to dim completely out? A few seconds? A minute?

Does the PID display still function correctly when the contrast begins to dim?

If you can't make it to the settings, how do you get the display to work? Turn the key off? Unplug and then reconnect the cable?

I don't have any idea where to even begin to look on this, so any information would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!

[Longshot270]

I've had mine do that a few times. Next time, while the vehicle is on, unplug the unit then plug it back in. That has always fixed it for me. I think it is heat related.

[Jackpine]

Perhaps it wasn't as "similar" as I thought. But, Bill is the guy who can help you with this. Glad he's found the time to monitor the forum.

Edit: Longshot, you snuck in here as I was typing! Good suggestion - can't hurt!

- Jack

[drek89]

It has been doing it a few times a week lately but for a while it was an every day thing. I would guess a minute+ for it to completely dim and everything still works like it should. Turning the truck off/on does return the contrast back to normal but I haven't tried unplugging/plugging it back. I also had taken the heat into consideration but it has been hotter lately than when it acted up more.

Thanks,

[Longshot270]

Originally Posted by drek89

It has been doing it a few times a week lately but for a while it was an every day thing. I would guess a minute+ for it to completely dim and everything still works like it should. Turning the truck off/on does return the contrast back to normal but I haven't tried unplugging/plugging it back. I also had taken the heat into consideration but it has been hotter lately than when it acted up more.

Thanks,

Then yes, I think we have been having the same thing happen. A few months ago it would do but now that it easily goes over a 100F it doesn't happen as much.

[Power Hungry]

Unplug and reconnect (with key on) and see if the problem clears up. The only thing I can think is that the buffer got a little sidetracked. When the key is shut off, the device is still running but the display goes to sleep. If there's something in the processor that has gotten confused, then it's still there when the unit wakes up. Unplugging the device does a cold reboot and should clear out any issues.

Let me know if this resolves the problem. If not, then we'll have to track down the issue. It's possible that the thermistor which controls the contrast is acting up, but tough to say. I just can't think of anything else that would change the contrast like that.

Keep us posted.

[drek89]

Well I got in it after work and it went to about 50% visibility..truck was reading outside temp? of 115..all I know is it was horribly hot inside it and every time I changed the Contrast to reset it I would go back to the main screen and it would go back to 50% visibility. I tried the unplug thing(it was almost too hot to even touch) but it did the same thing. Thinking the heat may really have something to do with it. Hoping it didn't damage it in any way.