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SkyBT | What Do The Different Blue Light Indicator Blinks Mean? (Answer: Read On)

Hello,

I recently purchased the SkyBT. Everything works very well. But I have noted one oddity that I cannot explain and is not in the manual. I was wondering if you could help me:

When I power my SkyBT with batteries, it is as normal. However, when I connect it with a 5V cord (4.0mm OD x 1.7mm ID), the blue light turns on, sometimes intermittently. In general, the light goes on for 3-5 seconds, then turns off for one second, and goes back on for 3-5 seconds and so on. I cannot figure out what this means, but the blue light is bright enough that it is an issue at night.

I understand that the blue light might have something to do with the batteries. However, my batteries are not low. They are fully charged (rechargeable). Plus, the light only comes on when it is connected to the 5V cord. I have tried it using several different 5V cords as well, all the right fit. So, it is very puzzling to me.

Does the blue light indicate both (1) low battery as mentioned before but also (2) a fully charged battery? I noticed that if I let the device run the rechargeable batteries down a bit, and then I plug it in, the blue light is not present and takes some time to turn on. In this case, it seems like the blue light is a warning telling me to unplug the device or else the batteries will overcharge. If so, I like it! Let me know if I am wrong, however. 

Thank you for your help,
Ryan

14 comments

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    Woody

    Ryan,

    It's been a couple of years since I externally powered my SkyBT (or similar RN270), but I don't recall the blue light (low batteries) light coming on at all.  All I can figure is that the voltage isn't quite high enough.  As I recall, the SkyBT wants 6v - 9v when externally powered.  Don't ask my why since it runs fine on two AAA batteries (nominally 2.4v - 3v, but that's what I recall from the specs.

    Try finding the spec sheet for the RN270 and see what it says regarding input voltage for external power. Roving Networks actually makes the SkyBT so the specs are the same.

    Woody

     

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    Ryan A Brandt

    Hello Woody,

    Thanks for the response. The website says, " The input DC power requirements are 5 Volts @ 300ma or greater." Since I use a 5V cable that is capable of 2amp or so, I think the voltage is okay. I double checked for the RN270 as well, and it says 5 volts. 

    I thought it was a voltage problem at first too, but I noticed that the blue light is not always on when plugged in. After more playing around, it seems that the blue light only comes on when two conditions are fulfilled: 1. the SkyBT is plugged in externally, and 2. the batteries are fully charged. When I drain the batteries, and then plug it in externally, there is no blue light (until an hour or more later).

    Still, it would be nice to have confirmation. This is not in the data specs that I have seen. 

  • 0
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    Woody

    Ryan,

    I found the detailed RN-270 operating manual.  Here are a couple of things it says that might help.

    "The blue LED indicates battery status and will blink slowly when the batteries are low except when charging. When charging the blue LED remains off.  If the unit is powered on while the batteries are charging the blue LED will come on when the batteries are fully charged
     
    The red LED indicates external power is present at either the power plug of DB9 connector."
     

    So, based on that, here are my observations:

    1) It's NORMAL for the bright blue light to be ON while operating on external power AND the internal batteries are fully charged.  If the internal batteries aren't fully charged, the blue light won't come on until the batteries are fully charged.  Then the blue light will come on -- and stay on.

    2) If this is a problem, I suggest you wrap some low-tac tape around the SkyBT so the blue light isn't so bright.  Or put a dark cloth over it.  Just don't cover it with something metallic -- such as aluminum foil or even silver Mylar as that will probably attenuate the BT signal.

    Woody

     

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    Woody

    Ryan,

    There you go!  You've confirmed what the RN-270 instructions I found say.  So everything is normal and working properly.

    Now you just have to dim the bright blue light down.

    Woody

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    Ryan A Brandt

    Woody,

    Thanks! I searched all the manuals I could find on the internet for that to no avail. Which one did you find it in? I will save it for later.

    I appreciate it. I figured it was working as normal. I just found it odd that the instructions I could find did not address the issue.

    I already put masking tape over it. It was not the best system, since it took about 10-15 pieces to make it appropriate for the dark. I like the blue light, however, since it warns you about overcharging your batteries. So, I plan to never see that blue light anyway. I just disconnect it when it comes on. 

    Thanks again,

    Ryan

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    Bill Tschumy

    Ryan,

    I don't think I've ever seen this.  Here is what the docs say about the blue light:

    "The red LED turns on solid when external power is present. When the adapter is on, a blinking blue LED indicates low battery."

    Here is what is says about charging:

    "You can apply external power from either the 5-V DC plug or pin 9 on the DB9 connector. The power plug is center pin positive, outer cylinder ground. The input MUST be 5-V DC for proper battery charging. Higher voltages can permanently damage the charger and battery."

    Other than that I don't really know.  Are you sure the cable is center pin positive?

     

     

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    Unfortunately, I don't have any rechargeable batteries handy to test this right now.  It might be that the blue light is steady when fully charged.  Can anyone else confirm?

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    Ryan A Brandt

    Hello Bill,

    "The red LED turns on solid when external power is present." Yes, this is my experience. A slow blinking blue one also will come on when the battery is charged, or so it seems that way. When the batteries are 50% depleted, and then I connect them externally, there is no blue light for the next hour or two. I have confirmed this several times now. 

    I bought this cable. It says center pin positive, so yes it should be good. 

    I also found it odd it is not in the manual for SkyBT. Woody found instructions that seem to confirm my experience in the detailed RN-270 operating manual. 

     

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    Ryan A Brandt

    "It might be that the blue light is steady when fully charged." In mine, it blinks very, very slowly. Every 5 seconds or so. 

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    Woody

    Ryan,

    Let's see if I can insert the link to the instruction manual.

    http://80.93.56.75/pdf/0/5/3/3/0/05330463.pdf 

    Unplugging when the blue light comes on should work just fine -- until it gets really cold outside.  My experience has been that when ambient temperature drops much below 55°, the batteries don't last as long.  And when the temp. drops below 40° I get less than an hour on fully charged batteries.  And that's why I went to external power -- so I could power the thing for hours when it was cold.

    An alternative is the Energizer Ultimate Lithium disposable AAA batteries as they work well down to something like -30°.  But there are three problems with them:

    1) They're expensive.

    2) They're disposable -- not rechargeable.

    3) It looks like they're no longer available.  I have about 4 left and I guess when they're gone -- they're gone.  All I see on Energizer's website now is the AA size of Ultimate Lithium batteries.

    But it sounds as if you're good-to-go now.  Have fun.

    Woody

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    Ryan A Brandt

    Woody,

    The manual works. Thank you! 

    Bill, you might want to check it out. The old model may not apply to the new one, in which case I would want to know that something is off. I suspect I am fine, however.

    Woody,

    Good point about the temperatures. I figure if the cold drains it quickly, I should theoretically be able to leave it plugged in. If it fully charges, I can unplug for a bit, and so on. Plus, I live in the desert and rarely feel 50 degree temps. :)

    The blue light is an interesting choice for this model. It is obnoxiously bright! I figure it is meant to be a warning, so I don't mind it. 

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    Woody

    Ryan,

    Glad the link worked.

    I don't think RN has changed anything in years.  Note that the date on the manual is 2008.  My RN-270 is probably 7 years old.  My SkyBT is maybe 3 years old.  They look identical and seem to operate the same.

    Desert?  Which one?  I do a lot of public outreach work in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, CA. But cold isn't a problem there at the moment -- around 116° I think. Which is why I'm not there.

    Woody

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    Woody

    Ryan,

    I forgot to add that I actually appreciate the bright blue low voltage warning light.  I usually get to engrossed in what I'm doing, I don't pay any attention to the mount or flashing lights on it.  So if it weren't for the bright light catching my attention, I wouldn't understand why I'd just lost communication with the mount.  And that's happened more than once.  I lost the connection and it took me several minutes to realize that the batteries had died.

    Woody

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    Ryan A Brandt

    Woody, I'm in Phoenix. :) 

    I will wait around here to see if anyone else notices this blue light. It is odd that I have not heard about it in the forums or other people. Anyone?

    Mike, let me know if you test it out and confirm this happens on your units. 

    Thanks!

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