Cisco SX80 Dual Camera Overheat

[darin.scott.cs]

We have a Cisco SX80 codec with dual cams installed at the front of the room which have the speaker / auto track functionality. This room was originally installed about roughly 1 year ago. As of just recently, I started noticing some flickering with the cameras capturing our in-room video for VTC's. Also, the Auto Track functionality that pans and zooms to an individual speaker during a video call is no longer working and the manual tabs on the touch screen to control the cameras are inoperable as well.

When this 1st occurred, it was just the flickering I noticed and I simply unplugged the power feed to both cams for a bit to resolve that issue. However, 1 week later... the flickering came back, but now the issue with the Auto Track and manual controls for each came came up. After turning off the power to the whole camera assembly at the mount in the front of the room for about 30 minutes it seemed to resolve the issue. But now again this morning the Auto Track does not work and the heat emitting from the base that the cameras reside on is quite hot.

I determined that the power that's feeding the camera assembly at the front of the room is separate from the Room System's AV. In other words, when you shutdown the room's AV System by way of touch panel there is still power being fed to the camera assembly from a separate source. Thereby having power continuously running to the cams making them HOT.

Has anyone else had this problem with the Speaker Track assembly for SX80's? And if so, what is the resolution other than intermittently turning them off from time to time. I know this unit is relatively new so am wondering if the design circuitry inside the camera assembly's mount is shotty and needs reworking.

Thanks in advance! 

[Dave Sorden · Accepted solution]

Check out this link. It explains your problem

https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCuu06180

[Patrick Sparkman · Accepted solution]

If the bug Dave points out is the issue you're facing, you might want to contact TAC and see if there is anything that can be done, perhaps an RMA to get the camera's replaced.  In either case, suggest you contact TAC to see if anything can be done regardless.

[#4]

I've experienced this problem too in 2 different offices all with SX80 unit. The link you have provided is for the Cisco TelePresence  Precision  60.  

Whilst in my case I have the speakertrack 60. Does the link applies to this as well? On my case it's the codec that's over heating. 

Appreciate some advice, thanks

[Patrick Sparkman]

The cameras used in the SpeakerTrack 60 are two Precision 60 cameras, so the bug linked by Dave applies to individual Precision 60 cameras as well as the SpeakerTrack 60.

[ken.parlee]

Has anyone else seen any issues with P60 cameras overheating in general? I have done some testing on a few P60s here and discovered the exterior on the base can get up to 50 C when in operation which worries me when the actual operating temperature shouldn't exceed 40 C. The issue is made worse when the camera is sitting on a hard surface but not as bad when it is mounted on a wall mount (43.5 C) with room to breath. I know my IR thermometer's temperature readings are fairly accurate +/- a couple of degrees. It also seems to me that putting a potentially overheating device inside an enclosed case (i.e. Speakertrack) is not a great idea.

Is it possible we have the same heatsink issue, a problem with the exhaust fan on the back (which spins quickly on boot), or is this normal and the metal base is doing its job to dissipate the heat properly? Perhaps there should be a label on it telling people not to try frying an egg on the base. :)

I tested 3 cameras which were likely procured around the same time. They were still new in box when I receive them and are labelled Version 2. Is there a means to check serial numbers to see if cameras are affected by the bug? Or, is the excessive heat addressed in the version 3 cameras? The advice we received was to submit a TAC case if a camera fails however I would prefer to be more proactive than reactive if possible.

Is there a way to track current P60 temperature/fan speed in the web interface or via logs?

Ken

VC Technician in Ottawa