Help Requested - Troubleshooting Dead v2 Blade

[nwoolls]

Preface: yes, I know the chips are outdated and not power efficient. I like to have different devices available for testing and development.

Hi there. I would really appreciate any help with this.

I got a v2 Blade several months ago. It does have the smaller fuse, but it's removable. I've had issues off-and-on with the Blade since I got it, but always managed to get it going again.

I believe that something happened to the board/fuse at some point. One of the fuses that came with it is blown, and the slot for the fuse on the board definitely looks darkened/burnt. It has been like that for quite some time though, and still worked.

In the past, the issue would be that the power lights & ethernet lights would stop lighting up. I would tinker for a bit, take out the fuse, test it, clean it, and eventually the thing would work again.

This time nothing seems to be helping. I've tried cleaning the fuse (with alcohol), the connectors, etc. with no luck.

I am about as close to a hardware noob as it comes, so any help is very appreciated.

Thanks in advance! Maybe even a donation for a fix 

[sidehack]

I've seen a few that had bad solder joints holding the fuse socket to the board. Could be a really bad connection. Make sure the socket clips hold tight to the fuse and press down hard on the socket to see if you can temporarily make connection with the board. Probably want a glove or something in case of sparks, just in case.

[nwoolls]

I've seen a few that had bad solder joints holding the fuse socket to the board. Could be a really bad connection. Make sure the socket clips hold tight to the fuse and press down hard on the socket to see if you can temporarily make connection with the board. Probably want a glove or something in case of sparks, just in case.

That sounds exactly like the problem I've had. Thank you. It always seems like cleaning and then firmly seating the fuse would help, but so far not this time. The last time I bent the clips just slightly so it would hold tighter. I'll keep trying along those lines.

[nwoolls]

Make sure the socket clips hold tight to the fuse and press down hard on the socket to see if you can temporarily make connection with the board. Probably want a glove or something in case of sparks, just in case.

No sparks, and there have been sparks before when I tried this. No luck so far.

Here are some images which may help:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/etx6lm15ewxhumi/dOswSxamTF

[TheWoodser]

Can you post pics of any of the burn areas??

[nwoolls]

Can you post pics of any of the burn areas??

The only darkened areas are in the pictures I posted, specifically this one:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/etx6lm15ewxhumi/dOswSxamTF#lh:null-IMG_20131218_163559.jpg

Inside the fuse socket and around it.

Let me know if you need more. I'll take pics of the whole damn thing if it helps 

[nwoolls]

Tried creating a new power connector as something simple to rule out. No help.

[TheWoodser]

Can you post pics of any of the burn areas??

The only darkened areas are in the pictures I posted, specifically this one:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/etx6lm15ewxhumi/dOswSxamTF#lh:null-IMG_20131218_163559.jpg

Inside the fuse socket and around it.

Let me know if you need more. I'll take pics of the whole damn thing if it helps 

Were you able to replace the fuse from that photo? 

[nwoolls]

Were you able to replace the fuse from that photo?  

That one is not blown (I don't think). The other one I have is. I have a multimeter coming tomorrow but used a 9V battery, some wire, and a spare tongue and one of the fuses caries a charge while the other doesn't.

[twib2]

These fuse holders are pretty wimpy and if there has been enough time with a bad connection, the whole thing heats up and warps enough to make a bad connection.  You can sometimes re-bend the clips inside after cleaning them and then you're good again, but it might be worth taking that holder off and replacing it, either with another one or simply soldering the fuse directly.  I had one blade like this and that's what I had to do.  One way to test that it's the fuse/fuse-assembly is to temporarily bridge the gap with some alligator clips or something like that and make sure it can start up fine.  If it does, then your problem is definitely with the fuse/fuse-assembly/holder.

Good luck!

[nwoolls]

These fuse holders are pretty wimpy and if there has been enough time with a bad connection, the whole thing heats up and warps enough to make a bad connection.  You can sometimes re-bend the clips inside after cleaning them and then you're good again, but it might be worth taking that holder off and replacing it, either with another one or simply soldering the fuse directly.  I had one blade like this and that's what I had to do.  One way to test that it's the fuse/fuse-assembly is to temporarily bridge the gap with some alligator clips or something like that and make sure it can start up fine.  If it does, then your problem is definitely with the fuse/fuse-assembly/holder.

Good luck!

Thank you very much for the time and the details. That definitely sounds in-line with what I have experienced and what I am seeing now. I will try the steps you said. Sounds like it may finally be time to order some soldering bits and learn!

[twib2]

Any time, nwoolls.  (BTW, this is Tye, glad to help back a bit.)  Keep up the great work with Multiminer and all your other ventures!

[nwoolls]

One way to test that it's the fuse/fuse-assembly is to temporarily bridge the gap with some alligator clips or something like that and make sure it can start up fine.  If it does, then your problem is definitely with the fuse/fuse-assembly/holder.

Got my alligator clips and soldering kit today. Removed the fuse and hooked up the clips and it started right up. Now to soldier on.

Hopefully I can get this pig up again tonight and send you a tip. You da man!  

Edit: It's alive! Tip sent!

[twib2]

Got my alligator clips and soldering kit today. Removed the fuse and hooked up the clips and it started right up. Now to soldier on.

Hopefully I can get this pig up again tonight and send you a tip. You da man!  

Edit: It's alive! Tip sent!

Excellent - good news for the holidays (on both counts, definitely appreciate the thought!).

Best,
- Tye

[nwoolls]

It ain't pretty but here's the repair:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/twh1ly4ih7m57c8/9DwWuCCF77#/

[TheWoodser]

Glad you are back in business......