Power loss recovery on Protectli V1410 - USB COM port & system time

[nero355]

No RS-232 port :-/

As in you don't have one ?

You can use the same thing to connect to it, but you need the right cable between them ofcourse :)

Just a USB-C interface to an FTDI chip.

Is what you are using to connect to the Protectli or the Serial Port on it is using it ?

[OPNenthu]

There's no RS-232 serial port on the Protectli.  It has a USB-C port labeled "COM" which is internally wired to the FTDI UART and can only be used for that purpose:

https://kb.protectli.com/kb/v1000-hardware-overview/

They supply a USB cable with the unit.

[Nullman]

Don't keep the USB serial cable connected to the port 24/7 like I do because even if the terminal session is closed the chip is apparently still active.

You should never keep anything you dont use attached to your USB ports. Your serial console cable is active device because it acts like a USB to RS232 adapter. As soon as you plug it into your USB-C port, USB controller becomes active. It doesnt matter if you are using it or not. Rest assured It is not powered by CMOS battery. Thats not how it works. However, if it stays active for a long time it can get really hot. On some Protecli devices, CMOS battery is glued on metallic heat sink / shielding part where ports or USB controllers are. If the battery is continuously exposed to that heat, it will die prematurely. You learned that the hard way.

[OPNenthu]

I didn't consider USB controllers being active and keeping the battery hot.  In that case, I'm not suprised- I keep a UPS and an external fan plugged into it as well.

[Nullman]

I didn't consider USB controllers being active and keeping the battery hot.  In that case, I'm not suprised

Batteries dont like heat. Especially CR1220 batteries because they are smaller, and they soak heat much easier and die much quicker. This is also one of many reasons why you should never use USB>LAN cards as primary or secondary WAN/LAN interface even if its supported by FreeBSD. USB ports should only be used temporarily for console access or installing OS via USB stick. As soon as you are done, remove everything you dont need.

I keep a UPS and an external fan plugged into it as well.

This is the worst idea ever. Its convenient, yes, but you are putting a lot of stress on whole device by doing this. Thats not what it was designed for even if it works. Fans should have their own power supply. This way you avoid interference that fan motors can cause and you do not stress your USB ports. Just because you can, doesnt mean you should.

[OPNenthu]

Why do the regular USB ports remain functional when the CMOS battery gets low but only the serial console port stops working?

I think that even if the FTDI chip doesn't directly use the battery, something else related to the COM port clearly depends on it.

[Nullman]

Why do the regular USB ports remain functional when the CMOS battery gets low but only the serial console port stops working?

I think that even if the FTDI chip doesn't directly use the battery, something else related to the COM port clearly depends on it.

That i dont know.