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SkyBT | Fails To Power Up

dc10jock

July 22, 2018 05:30

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Hi,

Tonight, SkyBT is not reliably powering up. This is the first time it's ever acted this way though it *did* turn on normally to start the evening (I was trouble-shooting a connection issue between SkySafari and a Lumicon Sky Vector.) Since then, I've only been able to power it up one other time as reported below.

To date, I've only used non-rechargeable batteries and after swapping out to a fresh pair, my volt-meter showed that I was getting 3+ volts through the battery holder. But, the unit still wouldn't power up. Then, for something completely different, I loaded some NiMH rechargeable batteries and plugged in external power. After a couple of tries, the unit powered on. After a few seconds of operation, I shut SkyBT down and tried to restart it. No luck. Just for curiosity, I put the meter on the rechargeable batteries and was drawing less than 3 volts.

Since then, neither standard or rechargeable batteries (with external power) can power the unit. Any ideas??

Thanks in advance,

Paul

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10 comments

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy July 23, 2018 17:21

  Paul,

  We haven't heard of a problem like this before.  It does sort of sound like the power switch is being flakey.  If it really is malfunctioning, you might have to send it back to us for analysis.  Is this a relatively new unit?

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  dc10jock July 23, 2018 21:21

  Hi Bill,

  Thanks for your reply. I'd be happy to send it in so you guys can have a look. (It's not a new unit and I'm not the original owner.) If you want to evaluate it, let me know the details and I'll get it to you. If you think it can be repaired, you can forward an estimate to me. (FYI, it isn't responsive today, but it did turn on once more since my post.)

  There won't be any particular hurry in getting it back as I just bought a new SkyFi 3 - that looks to be a very handy unit!

  Regards,

  Paul

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  Bill Tschumy July 23, 2018 21:35

  We probably won't be able to repair it.  My only question is are you doing anything incorrect such that it might work for us.  That seems unlikely.  I would try taking it apart and seeing if you can blow any debris from the switch.

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  dc10jock July 23, 2018 22:12

  I'm just trying to get it turned on by pressing and holding. At this point, I don't even have any of the cabling even connected. (I don’t suppose that cabling is SUPPOSED to be connected in order to get it to turn on and any "success" I've had in getting that green light is out of the ordinary??)

  Will try as you suggest...just remove the one screw?

  Thx,

  Paul

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  Bill Tschumy July 23, 2018 22:19

  No, nothing needs to be connected to get it to turn on.

  Yes, just remove the one screw and the guts can be removed from the casing.  The button seems reasonably sealed but maybe blowing some air on it will have an effect.

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  dc10jock July 23, 2018 23:53

  I threw some compressed air at it but didn't have the small, red directing tube. To no avail but will try again when tube is located.

  One thought: could I jumper over the switch and take it out of the loop? Not a long term solution but could tell us something about the health of the switch?m

• 1
  
  Tim Stoffel July 24, 2018 06:28

  If you have gone to the trouble of opening this unit up and have enough experience to 'jumper the power switch', look for annular cracks in the solder on the power switch. These kind of cracks, which I call 'solder ring cracks' are very common on electromechanical components, like power switches. If you find one, touch up the power switch connections with a soldering iron, and you should be good to go.

  I'm having a similar problem right now with a BETI, and very likely have such a crack on the power switch or the power input jack. Time to get it on the bench!

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  Bill Tschumy July 24, 2018 13:48

  Paul,

  I have no ideas about bypassing the switch.  Since the device doesn't work at present, it probably wouldn't hurt to try.  It does sound like the device is out of warranty.

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  dc10jock July 30, 2018 01:50

  Thanks, Bill. I will do some fiddling around with it and if anything interesting transpires, I will let you know.

  As for the warranty, I have no idea when it would expire. I didn’t know about honoring warranties after the initial owner sells it but I assumed the coverage didn’t transfer which is why I mentioned getting an estimate.

  In any case, I now have my new SF3...!

  Thanksfor everything,

  Paul

   

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  dc10jock July 30, 2018 01:57

  Tim,

  Thank You for taking time to reply. I’m sorry for the tardy response but had some things crop up this week that took all of my spare time, and then some.

  I did look for the cracks you mentioned but didn’t see anything obvious. I will put a loupe on it and see if that makes a difference in what I can see.

  I don’t know about my soldering skills - my bravery with electronics comes from messing around with Arduino. I’m probably just this side of dangerous with that hot iron!  Thanks again!

  Paul