Troubleshooting Hub - Significantly reduced signal distance issues with the FLR-100, FLR3-100/400 or FLR5-400 system

Potential Symptoms

Question

How do I troubleshoot a limited range issue with the FLR-100, FLR3-100/400 or FLR5-400 system?
- Customer may only be able to change prices from a short distance away, such as 10-20' or less.

Verification

How do you know you have a limited range issue?
- This communication option should communicate up to about 100ft away if installed properly. If the distance for communicating is 20ft or less we are experiencing a limited range issue.
- Take the key fob up to the display (may need to get right next to the antenna (within a few inches) and try changing prices. If the prices change at that point we are experiencing a limited range issue. Can also try touching the fob antenna to the antenna on the pricer and see if you can communicate then.

Environment

Product: Fuelight & DataMaster, Petroleum Price Display, FL & DF digit product
- FL-2000, FL-2100, FL-2300, FL-4000, DF-2000, DF-2009, DF-2100, DF-2109, DF-2300, DF-4000, FL-3000, FL-4500, FL-5000, Gas Price or Petroleum Price Display, FL or DF digit product
Component: Key Fob, Handheld, Remote
Control System: FLR-100/RC-50 (Wireless Communication Option), FLR3-100/400, FLR5-400

Resolution

Multiple factors can cause a reduction in distance. It's important to not jump to one conclusion, but research and consider all possibilities. Possible causes include, but are not limited to:

Interference
1. Ballast, fluorescent bulb failure or led lights.
  - Here is the link for Lighting/Ballast issues: Unable to change prices unless FLR-100 is close to the antenna, RC-50 intermittent communication. DD2181063
  - To aid in the diagnosis of a possible light ballast issue, disconnect power from all backlit panels/logo signs/lighting in the display structure and see if the issue changes.
2. Power lines.
  - Here is the link for power line issues: FLR3-100 Key fob for gas price has always had very limited range, DD2519055
3. Plastic cover in front of display.
  - Here is the link for plastic covers: Unable to change prices unless FLR-100 is close to the antenna, plastic face interfering with signal, DD4610824.
Receiver module or antenna not installed properly.
- Here is a link for poor antenna assembly: FLR3-100 with intermittent or no communications; antenna not tightened all the way, DD2474159.
Line of sight issue.
- Here is a link for line of sight issue: Fuel price communication issue, no line of sight with antenna, DD4118848.
Battery in the remote needs to be replaced.
1. Here is the link for battery related issues: Gas price display won't change price but decimal does flash, DD2768704.
Hardware Failure.
- Here is the link for what we have thus far on hardware failure (it does not apply to FL-5000's): Unable to change price reliably from any distance; Digit shorting on cabinet, DD1997813
- We have not been able to follow up on which component is correcting the issue.
Is incoming voltage correct.

KB ID: DD1707361

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