SkyFi 3 will not hold a charge. I have tried the included charger and other mini-USB chargers. Charging light blinks red when SkyFi 3 is plugged in, but there is no power whatsoever when it is unplugged. I believe this has worked at least once since we purchased it at the Texas Star Party in May, but not in the last few months. When plugged into the network, it shows 100% charged.
7 comments
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Bill Tschumy Eugene,
Before you send it back for a replacement, could you try reinstalling the firmware on the device to see if that fixes the issue. Instructions and downloads are here:
http://www.skysafariastronomy.com/skyfi-3-professional-astronomy-telescope-control.html
(Midway down the page).
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Eugenereagan I have reinstalled the firmware. No change at all. How do I get a replacement?
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Matt Hjelle Eugene,
I'll open a support ticket and take care of all that for you.We'll be in touch!
Thanks,
Matt -
JJ Can you please tell me how to change the battery in SkyFi 3 and which compatible battery can be used.
I am in India and due to regulations cannot send it to you for changing the battery. Please advise
Thanks and Regards
Jatinder
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Woody I could be wrong but I don't think these devices are being supported anymore.
When my old SkyFi-III battery died I took mine apart and discovered that one side of the battery's soldered on connector had cracked. I resoldered it and my unit has worked ever since.
The battery looks like a standard one that should be available. Just unsolder the old one and solder in a new one. That's what I'll do when mine fails again. Batteries don't last forever.
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JJ Thanks Woody.
You are right that these devices are not being supported anymore.
Can you tell me how you took yours apart please since that is what I guess I will have to resort to and then look for the lithim battery
Thanks and Regards
Jatinder
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Woody I'm not near my Sky-Fi III at the moment but as I recall, there are four tiny screws on the back - one under each rubber "foot." The feet are just glued on and they come off easily with a fingernail.
As I recall the screw heads require a tiny triangular bit. I bought an assortment of small triangular bits from Amazon and one of them fit.
Once the back is off you can easily see the battery. It's a bit larger than AA as I recall and is soldered in.
When I noticed one of the solder tangs was broken and not making contact I resoldered it and that fixed mine
The battery is clearly marked so you should be able to get another one and solder it in. And with luck it will last another 7 or so years.