Computrainer switches from ProE to erg mode during workout intermittently

[Dave R.]

Greetings GCers,

Does anybody have an idea of why Computrainer will briefly switch out of ProE mode (computer controlled resistance) during a workout?

I'm using GoldenCheetah in Train mode. I've tried this on 2 different Mac laptops. In a 10 minute period, I see a brief switch from the wattage I have entered via GC back to almost nothing - simultaneously the Computrainer head unit switches from displaying "Pro E" to something else, and the lights on my stereo-> usb adapter go off. I've checked out the cable connections between the load generator and the head unit, and the head unit and my computer - they seem solid. 

Is it possible the USB port is loosing power or communication? Is this a known issue for macs? Known issue for GC vs. other software? Apologies if this is too far into Computrainer territory (this happens when using GC, but I haven't ruled out strict hardware problems). 

Best,

D.

[Mark Liversedge]

It indicates that the serial comms are dropping or blocking, what USB device are you using?
I dumped the Computrainer USB adaptor for a Keyspan, but the issue might be software, have you tried Zwift or TrainerRoad?

Mark

[Dave R.]

Thanks Mark!

I thought perhaps it was a FTDI driver issue, since I downloaded the latest and subsequently had a 50 min ride in zwift w/o any issues. But... this morning I was only able to record ~5 min at a time without drops on a 40 minute ride. :-/ I have the FTDI/computrainer serial-USB connector. 

The weird thing is that it (at least this morning) seemed to happen at almost exactly 4:30 seconds each time. I'm wondering if I'm hitting some kind of USB driver timeout or something else in the system. If it was a simple electrical short I'd expect it to be more random. 

Does GC keep logs or have a debug mode?

D.