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SkyBT | No Green Light With USB Power, No Light At All With Battery (Unresolved - Used SkyBT With External USB Power And No Rechargeable Batteries At First)

Greetings again,

I received a replacement SkyBT unit today (8-13-2018) & am still having the same issue. Am I doing something wrong? Is the 5v USB power cord making the unit wonkie? (two units-same problem). The unit shows a solid red LED when connected via USB, but the power button does not respond & there is no green light to be seen. When I try with battery power, there's no light at all & no response from the unit.

Please help! Thanks.

Here's my original submitted request:

Greetings. I recently ordered a SkyBT BlueTooth Telescope Controller (Order #72385) and received it today (7-21-2018). Unfortunately, the unit appears to be defective. The red power LED turns on when connected to a 5V USB source, but it will not respond when the red button is depressed. No green light turns on even after repeated power cycles and red button pushing attempts. I tried using AAA batteries instead of the USB power source, but in that case the red LED would not turn on at all. I verified battery orientation and replaced then several times, but still no red LED when using batteries as a power source.

Ki6fxu July 21, 2018 23:40

PS. The power cord used is a 3A 1.7mm Male to USB Type-A Power Cable, directly connected to a 5v USB port.

BTW, I also have a SkiFi device which has worked well with my PC & IOS devices. I was hoping to be able to use my android phone as well, which is why I ordered the SkyBT. I noticed on your website that theSkyBT are back ordered. If there is no fix for the above problem, will that be an issue in getting a replacement?

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15 comments

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    It seems unlikely that two units would be failing so I can only assume you are doing something wrong. We just have to figure out what.

    First, are you aware that to run off external power, you must be using rechargeable batteries?  The external power jack is part of the recharging circuitry.  This is spelled out in the Quick Start.

    You might also check that the external power cable is "center positive". If you have a multi-tester, the inside of the plug should be positive.

    When you first got the new unit, did you try it with batteries first before using the external power.

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Hi Bill. Thanks for the prompt reply. In both cases I used the external power supply without batteries first, then tried with both batteries & power cord, followed by batteries only. The batteries I'm using are alkaline & not rechargable. The power cord is 5v USB with center post positive. I do get a red light with the power cord (with & without batteries) but the button does not respond.

    Should I try with rechargable batteries?

    Thanks.. Ray

  • 0
    Avatar
    Bill Tschumy

    Yes, please try rechargeables.  

    The Quick Start warns that the device can be damaged by not using rechargeables when using external power.  However, I think that is only because the batteries can leak.  I don't think we've had any actual cases of damage when using regular batteries and external power

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Thanks Bill... I'll give it a try. Off to the drugstores I go!

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Tried using rechargable batteries.. no success.

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    When you plug the external power in are you still getting a red light?

    I assume you are doing all these test with the device *not* plugged into a mount.  I've seen a few mounts that put out power on some of the pins and possible that is affecting things.  What type of mount are you controlling?

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    The results are the same. Red light on but no response from button when USB external power is plugged in with rechargeable batteries in or out. No light or button response with batteries, with or without external power plugged in. The mount is a (Synta) Sky-Watcher Allview GoTo Alt/Az with the latest firmware. I plugged the unit into the mount as you asked, but the results are still the same.

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Correction: No light or button response with batteries, without external power plugged in.

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    I can only surmise that the external power cord you have is causing something to fry in the device.  If you have a multi tester, it would be useful to verify that it is indeed center positive and 5V output.

    Did you have an RMA number for the previous return?  I'd like to see if it has been tested after you returned it and what was found.  It is almost unheard of for these to fail and the fact that 2 have failed for you is very strange.

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    No RMA but the order # was 72385.  I ran a multi meter test on the power supply. +/- 5VDC with center post positive. Yes, this is strange & frustrating. Can't find any similar SkyBT situations addressed on web.

  • 0
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    David Croston

    I may be on the wrong track here and if so Bill can chastise! 
    I use my SkyBT on both my EQ6 PRO AND HEQ5 pro satisfactorily.  I was lead to understand that the connection between the SkyBT and mount was by using the Synscan update cable between the SkyBT RS232 outlet and the Synscan hand controller which is connected to the mount as usual and after doing my star alignment, starting bluetooth and pairing between the SkyBT and my android phone or tablet I then connect on Sky Safari 5pro.
    This works both with rechargeable batteries on their own or with a 5v centrepin positive supply.
    I hope this helps
    Regards and clear skies
    David

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Hi David,

    Thanks for the input. Yes, my Synscan hand controller & SkyBT were connected to the AllView mount as per your configuration, but no go in my case. I can understand why Bill suspects there maybe something going on at my end, possibly the power cord. I purchased the USB power cord from Amazon:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076Q82C9F/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    As I mentioned, I tested it with a multimeter & the center post definitely shows positive. Bill's suggestion of having the previous unit I sent back tested may be the only option left for finding an answer.

    Ray

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Bill,

    Please check the link to the power cord I am using:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076Q82C9F/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Can we determine if the cord is the issue & if it has damaged both units that were shipped to me? If there are no repair or troubleshooting options left, as a long time customer (...since Simulation Curriculum was in Canada) :-) what alternatives do you suggest?

    Ray

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

     

    As best I can tell that cable should be fine.  It certainly matches the specs on our web site.  Of course, that is assuming it is constructed correctly.

    Let me talk to some others in the company and see how to handle this.

  • 0
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    Ki6fxu

    Thanks for the update Bill.

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