Learning Center

DIG: won't connect, drops, reads off or won't update

The DIG module won't connect, drops mid-dig or sends no GPS, the bucket depth reads off, the firmware update stalls, or the DIG web page shows sensors or GPS not OK. Most likely cause first.

  • DIG™ Kit

In the app Home › Excavation; Settings › DIG Module Firmware

The DIG™ Kit puts two angle sensors on the stick and bucket linkage and a GPS receiver on a pendulum mount on the stick. The DIG module works out the bucket-tip position and sends it to the tablet over its own Wi-Fi (MECU_Ditch_Dig…, password 12345678 on firmware 1.7 and later). DIG gives depth guidance; it never moves hydraulics.

Before you start

  • Machine running (or key on) so the DIG module has power, and the tablet in the cab.
  • Know how to open the tablet's Wi-Fi list: Wi-Fi on the tablet.
  • For the cable checks: the bucket on the ground and the engine off before you climb onto the stick.

Time: 2 to 5 minutes for the Wi-Fi and firmware checks; 15 to 30 minutes if you need to check cables or redo calibration.

Quick checks first

  • The tablet is on the MECU_Ditch_Dig Wi-Fi, set to stay connected, and stays in the cab.
  • The DIG module has power and its Wi-Fi antenna is threaded on tight.
  • The DIG firmware is 1.7 or later (how to check, further down this page). Older than 1.7: call support.
DIG Kit: how the parts connect An excavator digging a trench, seen from the operator’s left, with numbered markers. 1: a GPS receiver on the DIG pendulum mount at the top of the stick; the mount swings so the receiver stays level. 2: an angle sensor on the stick. 3: an angle sensor on the dogbone linkage above the bucket. Cables run over the boom to 4: the DIG ECU beside the cab, which works out where the bucket tip is from the GPS position, the two sensor angles and the link lengths measured at calibration. It sends that to 5: the tablet in the cab over its own Wi-Fi. A dashed construction line runs from the pendulum pivot down through the boom-end pin and the bucket pin to 6: the bucket tip, which the app shows against the design grade along the bottom of the trench. Wi-FiDesign grade123456
Sensors and GPS feed the DIG module; the module sends bucket-tip position to the tablet over Wi-Fi.
  1. GPS receiver. On the pendulum mount at the top of the stick.
  2. Stick sensor. Measures the angle of the stick.
  3. Bucket sensor. On the dogbone linkage. Measures the angle of the bucket.
  4. DIG module (ECU). By the cab. Works out the bucket tip from the GPS, both angles and the lengths measured at calibration.
  5. Tablet. On the DIG module's own Wi-Fi.
  6. Bucket tip. What the app compares with your design grade.

Find your symptom

Tap the line that matches what you see. It opens with the causes, most likely first. Check tells you how to spot the cause. Fix tells you what to do, one step at a time.

DIG won't connect“Could not reach the DIG module. Check WiFi and retry.”
Connect step with Manual Options open showing the control module and DIG Module cards and a red box: Could not reach the DIG module. Check WiFi and retry. 1
  1. DIG Module. Under Manual Options. Tap it to connect straight to DIG.

Wrong Wi-Fi, no power, out of range or old firmware

Fix: Work through DIG won't connect. The app retries every 2 seconds, so once the Wi-Fi is right it often connects by itself.

There's no DIG Module card

It's under Manual Options Most likely

Fix:

  1. In the Connect window, tap Manual Options, the small link under Bluetooth GPS. You should see the DIG Module card (picture above).
  2. Or skip it and tap Connect: in Excavation the app tries DIG first.

The app is in Ditch Assist Lite

Check: An orange LITE MODE banner on Home.

Fix:

  1. On Home, tap Settings, the fourth button down the right-hand column.
  2. At the top of Settings, find the Mode box.
  3. Tap Ditch Assist, the left-hand of the two buttons.
  4. In the box that asks Switch mode?, tap Switch.
  5. Tap Home at the top of the right-hand column. You should see the orange LITE MODE banner gone.
The Mode box in Settings with two buttons, Ditch Assist and Ditch Assist Lite; Ditch Assist Lite is selected and the note reads Guidance only — no hydraulic control. Emlid Reach receivers only. 1
  1. Ditch Assist. Tap it to leave Ditch Assist Lite.
The connection drops in the middle of digging

The Wi-Fi icon goes grey and the bucket numbers freeze. If the tablet loses Wi-Fi altogether you may see Network unavailable — connection to controller lost. The app keeps trying to reconnect to DIG every 2 seconds and picks up again by itself once the link is back.

The tablet hopped to a network with internet Most likely

Check:

  1. Open the tablet's Wi-Fi list (how).
  2. Read the name under Current network. It should start with MECU_Ditch_Dig.

Fix:

  1. In the Wi-Fi list, tap the MECU_Ditch_Dig network.
  2. If Android says Internet may not be available, tap Always connect.
  3. Turn off Samsung network switching in Intelligent Wi-Fi (Switch to mobile data, and Switch to better Wi-Fi networks if your tablet has it): steps in Wi-Fi keeps dropping.
  4. Go back to Ditch Assist. You should see the bucket numbers move again within a few seconds: the app reconnects to DIG by itself every 2 seconds.

Out of range

Check: DIG Wi-Fi reaches a few cab-lengths. Did the tablet leave the cab?

Fix: Put the tablet back in its mount in the cab and leave it there while you dig.

The module lost power, or Wi-Fi was turned off on the tablet

Fix:

  1. Check the DIG module has power (key on, fuse, connector), then wait 30 seconds for it to start.
  2. Open the tablet's quick panel by swiping down from the top edge (how).
  3. Check Wi-Fi is on (lit) and Airplane mode and Power saving are off.

The Wi-Fi is fine but the GPS stopped

Check: DIG module is connected but sending no GPS data. Check power and the cable to the GPS receiver. Reconnecting…

Fix: See DIG connects, then drops with no GPS. Every 10-second silence from the module gives this message, so if it shows once after the module lost power or the tablet changed network, fix that first.

DIG connects, then drops every 10 to 15 seconds with no GPS“DIG module is connected but sending no GPS data. Check power and the cable to the GPS receiver. Reconnecting…”

The Wi-Fi link to the module is fine (System Check shows Controller Connected · Ditch Assist DIG in green), but the module has no position to send: No GPS signal detected, the badge reads NO GPS with 0 satellites, and Start stays grey. After 10 seconds without GPS the app drops the link, shows the red message, reconnects about 2 seconds later and goes round again. These shots are from a real module in that state:

No GPS state. System Check: Controller Connected, Ditch Assist DIG in green; GPS Signal, No GPS signal detected in red; GPS Accuracy, Waiting for fix; Continue greyed out 1 2
  1. Ditch Assist DIG. Wi-Fi link up.
  2. No GPS signal detected. Nothing from the receiver.
No GPS state. Pre-Flight Checks ONLINE: Controller DIG Module in green; GPS Waiting for fix, Satellites, DOP, Lat, Lon and Elevation all -- in red; Corrections Not reported; Wi-Fi Signal -61 dBm Good and Link Speed 52 Mbps 2.4 GHz in green 1 2 3
  1. Controller: DIG Module. Green while the module answers, even with no GPS.
  2. GPS rows red. No fix, no satellites, no position.
  3. Wi-Fi Signal / Link Speed. Green: the Wi-Fi is fine.

Comes back every 10 to 15 seconds while the receiver sends nothing.

The GPS receiver has no power Most likely

Check: The receiver on the stick is on and its lights look normal. On a 24 V machine, the receiver must be one that runs on 24 V.

Fix:

  1. Check the fuse on the receiver's power feed.
  2. Check the power connector at the receiver is pushed fully home.
  3. If it's on a switched supply, check the key is on.
  4. Wait a minute for the receiver to get a fix. You should see the GPS badge in the app turn green RTK and the red message stop.

The GPS cable into the DIG harness is loose or damaged

Check: The cable from the receiver into the DIG main harness is seated, and it isn't pinched or stretched anywhere through the stick's full travel.

Fix:

  1. Unplug the GPS cable from the DIG main harness and plug it back in firmly.
  2. If the cable is cut or crushed, replace it.
  3. Have someone move the stick through its full travel while you watch the cable. Reroute it anywhere it pulls tight or gets pinched. See DIG module and cables.

The antenna or its cable

Check: The antenna on the pendulum mount is connected, its cable is undamaged, and it has a clear view of the sky.

Fix: Reconnect or replace the antenna cable.

The receiver isn't sending the right messages

Check: Open the DIG web page. Data Received is not OK even though the receiver has power.

Fix:

  1. In the receiver's own setup, set its output to GGA at 5 or 10 Hz and VTG, at 38,400 baud, with every other message off. If you're not sure how, call support.
  2. On the DIG web page, tap Refresh Connection. You should see Data Received turn OK.
Bucket depth reads several inches off

The benchmark is wrong Most likely

Check: The error is the same whatever the arm position. There's no bucket-tip height setting in the app; DIG corrects to the tip itself.

Fix:

  1. Put the bucket cutting edge on a point whose elevation you know (a benchmark).
  2. Tap the BM badge at the top of the screen. The Calibrate Elevation window opens.
  3. Tap that benchmark's row, or use Advanced to type its elevation and tap Set BM.
  4. You should see a green status line at the top of the window. Full steps with pictures: Benchmarks and calibration.

The DIG calibration is out

Check: The depth changes when only the stick or bucket angle changes, or it reads off on a test block. Common after a sensor, pin or the GPS mount was removed, replaced or serviced.

Fix:

  1. Measure the link lengths again, twice each, from the centre of one pin to the centre of the next.
  2. Open the DIG web page and type the new lengths in.
  3. Redo the angle calibration on the same page.
  4. Check the depth on a known point with the stick in and out. It should read the same. Full steps: Calibrate the DIG Kit.

The pendulum mount doesn't hang level

Check: Does the GPS stay level through the stick's travel? Does the antenna clear the counterbalance plate?

Fix:

  1. Loosen the friction washers until the mount swings freely but doesn't flop.
  2. Grease the pivot.
  3. Adjust the rod so the antenna clears the counterbalance plate through the whole travel. See Mount the DIG GPS.

GPS accuracy dropped

Check: Amber banner GPS accuracy reduced — elevation readings may be unreliable.

Fix: Check depth between cuts until the badge is green RTK. See Stuck on Float.

The bucket gauge is empty, or the completion overlay doesn't fill

No GPS, or Start not tapped

Fix:

  1. Wait for the GPS badge at the top of the screen to turn green RTK. Still not green? See Stuck on Float.
  2. Tap Start. You should see the bucket gauge fill.

Not at grade yet

Fix: Dig until the chevrons centre over each area. With a LandXML design, tap a grid cell on the map to mark it complete.

The DIG firmware update stalls or the Wi-Fi stops after it“Can't reach the DIG module. Check that the tablet is connected to the module's WiFi network, then try again.”

Updates run from the DIG Module Firmware box in Settings (how to open it, below), one version at a time, in order. Each takes about a minute; leave the module powered.

The tablet isn't on the DIG Wi-Fi Most likely

The DIG Module Firmware window: Can't reach the DIG module. Check that the tablet is connected to the module's WiFi network, then try again. Buttons Check Again and Close. 1
  1. Check Again. Tap after joining the DIG Wi-Fi.

Fix:

  1. Open the tablet's Wi-Fi list (how) and tap the MECU_Ditch_Dig network.
  2. Go back to Ditch Assist and tap Check Again. You should see Installed firmware: ….

Could not send the firmware to the module. Check the WiFi connection and try again. means the link dropped mid-send:

  1. Rejoin the MECU_Ditch_Dig network as above.
  2. Tap Start Update again.

The 1.7 step changed the Wi-Fi password

Check: Firmware 1.7 changes the module's WiFi password, so the tablet will probably disconnect from it now.

Fix:

  1. Open the tablet's Wi-Fi list (how).
  2. Press and hold the MECU_Ditch_Dig network (long press), or tap the gear next to it.
  3. Tap Forget.
  4. Tap the network again and type the password 12345678 (typing).
  5. Tap Connect. You should see Connected under the name.
  6. Go back to Ditch Assist and tap Check.

The module is still applying the update

Check: The module still reports firmware …. It may still be applying the update, or the update did not complete.

Fix:

  1. Leave the module powered and wait a minute.
  2. Tap Check.
  3. Same message again? Tap View Module Log, take a screenshot (how) and call support.

Firmware newer than the app knows

Check: This module reports firmware …, which the app cannot update automatically. Please contact support. with a version above 1.7 (for example 1.81).

The DIG Module Firmware window: This module reports firmware 1.81, which the app cannot update automatically. Please contact support. Buttons Check Again and Close.
Firmware 1.81 is newer than this app knows about. Tap Close and carry on.

Fix: Nothing to do: this app version only knows firmware up to 1.7, so it can't offer updates for a newer module. The module connects and works normally. Call support only if you have a real problem with it.

Firmware older than 1.7

Check: This firmware is too old to connect to the app. Update the module to 1.7 to use it., or the tablet can't join the module's Wi-Fi with 12345678.

Fix: Call Ditch Assist support. A module older than 1.7 uses a different Wi-Fi password and can't connect to the app until it's updated; support walks you through the update. See Modules older than 1.7.

The DIG web page shows Sensors or GPS not OK, or won't open

The page won't open

Check: The tablet is on the MECU_Ditch_Dig Wi-Fi (how to check).

Fix:

  1. Open the tablet's web browser (Chrome or Samsung Internet).
  2. Tap the address bar at the top.
  3. Type http://192.168.22.3:8080/ditchassist.htm exactly (typing) and tap Go on the keyboard. You should see the DIG page with the Sensors and GPS status.
  4. Bookmark it so you don't have to type it again. See The DIG web interface.

No “Sensors OK”

Check: A pulsing red light on a sensor means it's unpowered or unplugged. The main harness goes in the stick sensor's upper port; the patch cable runs from the stick sensor's lower port to the bucket sensor.

Fix:

  1. With the engine off, unplug and replug each sensor connector, the right way round (main harness to the stick sensor's upper port, patch cable from its lower port to the bucket sensor).
  2. Have someone move the stick and bucket through their full range while you watch the cables. Reroute any that pinch or stretch.
  3. On the DIG web page, check Sensors OK shows. See Install the DIG sensors.

No “Data Received” or “RTK fix”

Check: The GPS cable into the main harness, the receiver's GGA/VTG output (5 or 10 Hz, 38,400 baud), and its corrections.

Fix:

  1. Fix the cable or the receiver settings (see DIG connects, then drops with no GPS).
  2. On the DIG web page, tap Refresh Connection. You should see Data Received, then RTK fix once corrections arrive.
A LandXML excavation target looks wrong or stretched

Wrong surface picked

Fix: Pick the finished-grade surface, not existing ground. If the names aren't clear, ask whoever made the design file.

Coordinate system not recognised

Fix: The app reads the coordinate system from the file; there's no picker. If the CRS reading says Unknown CRS, get the file again in NAD83 UTM or State Plane. See LandXML problems.

A scraper workflow warns you're on DIG“Designed for a different kit”

DIG can't drive hydraulics

Fix: Pick one of the two buttons in the warning:

  1. Tap Continue Anyway to survey and get visual guidance only, or
  2. Tap Pick Different, then tap the Excavation card on Home.
The two buttons at the bottom of the Designed for a different kit warning: Pick Different on the left and Continue Anyway on the right.
The two buttons at the bottom of the warning.

Check the DIG firmware version

  1. Join the tablet to the MECU_Ditch_Dig Wi-Fi.
  2. In Ditch Assist, on Home, tap Settings, the fourth button down the right-hand column.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of Settings (how to scroll).
  4. Find the DIG Module Firmware box, second from the bottom (lens 1 below).
  5. Tap Open on the right of that box (lens 2). You should see Checking module..., then Installed firmware: … and This module is up to date.
  6. Any other message: find it under firmware problems below. Tap Close when you're done.
The bottom of the Settings screen: the ABOUT box; the DIG Module Firmware box with Update Firmware and an Open button; the Dealer Code box; and an Emlid Diagnostics button at the very bottom.
  1. DIG Module Firmware. The second box from the bottom of Settings.
  2. Open. Checks the module's firmware.

Still not fixed?

Related

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