FTP - Looking for controller - TriplePlay problem

[PeterPan8]

I've been using my TriplePlay almost every day now for the past 3 years (and loving it!), but since a month or two I'm starting to get a "Looking for controller" problem.  Every some few seconds (4 or 5), the link breaks for 1 or 2 seconds, then comes back, alternating between and on-off sequence.

I have a Godin TriplePlay Custom guitar which included an "inside" receiver. I never had any problem before, but now it's getting quite irritating.

In a previous post, ShawnB said: "Some have reported that they have had to re-pair the controller a few times before getting a full, proper connection.  I would attempt to re-pair the controller to the receiver a few times until you stop getting the 'looking for controller' message & things feel more solid."
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=24418.0

If you read this (Shawn), could you explain how to "repair the controller"? 

Or if any of you have any solutions, I'd be happy to listen to all!

Thanks!

[FishmanSoftware]

To re-pair the controller, push the pairing button on the receiver dongle while it is plugged into your computer, and the LED in the pairing button should start flashing rapidly. Then push the pairing button on the back of your Godin, which is right next to the power switch. It should start flashing rapidly, then it will quickly "pair" with the receiver and go back to occasionally blinking. This helps by automatically choosing the radio channel with the least interference.
If this doesn't help, you can try using a USB extension cable to move the receiver farther away from your computer and/or other interfering devices and closer to your guitar. Also, be aware of devices that can potentially interfere with wireless communication, such as your mobile phone, your router, hubs or other accessories connected to your computer, etc. Try relocating such devices if possible. Take your phone out of your pocket, turn off any WiFi hot spot or Bluetooth feature on your phone.
Hope this helps!

[PeterPan8]

I've done the "pairing" button countless times since the past 2-3 years... so I know about that one.

I didn't know about putting the controller and receiver apart from each other.
I read music sheet on my laptop, and the dongle is very close to my guitar, so that may be the cause of the "Looking for controller" problem. And I don't have any wireless, bluetooth or iphone in the area.

I'll let you know if it works.... or not!

Thanks!

[FishmanSoftware]

I've done the "pairing" button countless times since the past 2-3 years... so I know about that one.

I didn't know about putting the controller and receiver apart from each other.
I read music sheet on my laptop, and the dongle is very close to my guitar, so that may be the cause of the "Looking for controller" problem. And I don't have any wireless, bluetooth or iphone in the area.

I'll let you know if it works.... or not!

Thanks!

To be clear, I'm not saying that the controller and the receiver should be further apart; closer is better (if possible). What I was suggesting is that the receiver might want to be further from the computer, hence my suggestion about a USB extension cable. The computer itself (and/or a connected USB hub or other adapters) can be a source of interference. This is all very general advice, so you may need to experiment.
We also have available the TriplePlay Connect which has a wired USB connection, and thus eliminates any possibility of interference.

[PeterPan8]

What I was suggesting is that the receiver might want to be further from the computer, hence my suggestion about a USB extension cable.

For me, the problem with that solution is that all my music sheets are on my laptop. I can push it further, but if I bring it too far, I won't be able to read the music. It's a Catch-22 dilemma!

Maybe one solution would be to get another laptop just for my music.... naaah... I'm not going that way!

[shawnb]

Original battery? 

If so, it's likely time for a new battery.

I think a 'controller not found' is a symptom of it starting to flake out. 

[kenact]

Have you recently added any new devices to your laptop? Wireless headphones, speakers, mouse, keyboard?

Any new wireless devices near the laptop?

[PeterPan8]

I didn't add anything new. Been using the same equipment for the past 3 years.

But I never thought about the battery!  Indeed, I still have the same one installed.

Now, the BIG questions:
- How can I check if the battery is still good?  I know it can hold the charge for about 5-7 days (1-2 hours of playing per day.)

- How in the world can I change a battery installed inside the guitar?
Remember I have a Godin Custom TP with everything already installed and "hidden" inside the body of the guitar.

[shawnb]

Now, the BIG questions:
- How can I check if the battery is still good?  I know it can hold the charge for about 5-7 days (1-2 hours of playing per day.)

Unfortunately, the FTP doesn't really give you a good indication the battery is nearing EOL.  In my experience, the device just gets flakier & flakier.  More charges needed, more flashing reds, maybe.  It has a bad tendency to tell you it's charged even when it's hurting.  But if it has been a few years of regular use & you are seeing flaky behavior, swap it out.  (I have two original FTPs...)

- How in the world can I change a battery installed inside the guitar?
Remember I have a Godin Custom TP with everything already installed and "hidden" inside the body of the guitar.

Talk with your luthier... 
The battery is pretty small, and soldering is required.  I did one successfully myself, but it looked like I did the job with a blowtorch and a shovel.  Never again...
Leave it to folks who do this for a living...

[shawnb]

One other note:  I shared somewhere here a few years ago that I do think the battery gets "revived" a bit if you do a lengthy, overnight charge directly to a wall power outlet (don't use a USB port).  That seems to snap it out of strange (power-related) behavior.  (Note that in more recent firmware versions, the FTP will itself shut down rather than drain to empty, so in general behavior has improved.  But it's worth a try.)

[kenact]

- How in the world can I change a battery installed inside the guitar?
Remember I have a Godin Custom TP with everything already installed and "hidden" inside the body of the guitar.

If you have reasonably good soldering skills, it's easy enough to change. If not, take it to any good electric guitar repair shop. I'm fortunate to have an authorized Godin service center near me. That's where I took my Session Custom TriplePlay when my battery died.

[PeterPan8]

I'm not too bad at soldering "stuff", so it should pose no problem for me.
Now, where can I get the right battery for the TP?
I'll probably buy two!

[shawnb]

I'm not too bad at soldering "stuff", so it should pose no problem for me.

You've been warned! It was also tough getting everything back in there.  Kinda like overstuffed luggage...

Now, where can I get the right battery for the TP?
I'll probably buy two!

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10333.0

[PeterPan8]

In my "younger" years, I used to dismantle electric stuff, and the funny things is that when I put back everything in place, sometimes there was one or two pieces that still remained on the table, yet everything worked perfectly! 

But with today's ultra-miniature electronics, I don't think this would work.
Someone wrote about "wiring" a 3-AAA battery box to the guitar.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=16792.msg120386#msg120386

Any ideas if that could work?

[Dalai_llama]

Any ideas if that could work?

That could lead to a number of issues. You'll have 3.6 V at full charge, so you'll start with lower voltage to begin with. Then FTP circuitry may not accommodate the amount of current and time needed to fill the battery.

I've responded your question as to the source of batteries in the other thread.

Shawnb's thread is priceless in that topic. Check it out first.

[alexmcginness]

I keep getting " Receiver in use" inside cubase. Always have. I have to boot the stand alone as well as one in Cubase to het control of string sensitivity and dynamics. etc.