Welcome Guest Search | Active Topics | Log In | Register

R2 won't power on with batteries Options
Kryptonic
#1 Posted : 09 December 2018 12:50:32

Rank: Beginner Level 2

Groups: Registered

Joined: 24/08/2017
Posts: 6
Points: 33
Location: Chesterfield
Hi all!

So I excitedly got up early this morning to finish the last two issues of my R2 (99 and 100). All cables connected and all connections double checked. I charged all my batteries up last night using the supplied charger.

I left R2 in the OFF master power position and connected the AC adaptor for a couple of seconds to "calibrate" the power pack as described - then I removed the AC adaptor. Turned the master power to ON and tried turning it on with the front panel switch.... nothing.

I've checked all the batteries and they look to have a good contact with the box. I've double checked them in the charger and they look fine also. I've even replaced the battery box with a spare I had (I bought two issues to get an extra charger) but still the droid doesn't power up.... HOWEVER.... If i have the master power to ON and connect the AC adaptor it DOES power up and runs through the boot cycle (head spins and does a chirp!) - but then the red status light fast-flashes RED indicated "powering down"

The batteries I've purchased are the following:
https://www.ecoluxshopdirect.co....0-3500mah-nutton-battery

Battery photos:
https://imgur.com/a/YWQf2Ge
https://imgur.com/a/cTagsRl

Any ideas what could be wrong? I'm planning on putting a DVM across the power output connectors on the battery box to make there is voltage there later today..... but other than that I have I done something daft?

I think the droid works OK as it powers up with mains power - just doesn't work on battery?

Thanks!
arpurchase
#2 Posted : 09 December 2018 13:19:53

Rank: Super-Elite

Publisher Medal: Featured Build of the MonthActive Service Medal: 500 post active service MedalPurple Medal: Super active service medal for 1000 postsTurquoise Medal: Turquoise Medal for model making know-how contributionOutstanding Build: An award for an outstanding buildBuild-Diary Medal: Build-Diary Medal of HonourRed Medal: Red Medal
Groups: Registered

Joined: 27/09/2011
Posts: 15,196
Points: 45,687
Location: Dudley
Hi we have had this problen crop up before with another builder the batterys you have are nib tops and not button tops. I think you will find there not making contact with the battery box so double check the contacts at both ends.

From looking at the batterys in your pictures the top looks different to the picture on the website which show a button head without holes whilst the ones sent to you have vent holes.

See post #21 below-

https://forum.model-space.co.uk/default.aspx?g=posts&t=30228&p=2

If you find you have a shortfall in button top height you might consider inserting button top magnets to fill the gap which can be found on E-bay. Though this is not a reccomended official fix.

Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .

Tomick
#3 Posted : 09 December 2018 13:22:20

Rank: Pro

Groups:

Joined: 24/08/2009
Posts: 48,827
Points: -13,348
If you have a multimeter, you could check (via the output plug leading from the battery box), if there is power output from the battery box
Kryptonic
#4 Posted : 09 December 2018 14:48:40

Rank: Beginner Level 2

Groups: Registered

Joined: 24/08/2017
Posts: 6
Points: 33
Location: Chesterfield
Thank you so much for your replies. I’ve bought myself a DVM today in town and plan on checking the voltage later and I’ll report back... if it’s a connection issue... as a temp. Fix I’ll roll up some copper and pad out the positive terminal (if this fixes it I’ll return the batteries and order some different ones)

Hope to get to the bottom of this today!!
Kryptonic
#5 Posted : 09 December 2018 17:52:00

Rank: Beginner Level 2

Groups: Registered

Joined: 24/08/2017
Posts: 6
Points: 33
Location: Chesterfield
UPDATE:

So i've disconnected the big chunky POWER connector that goes into the MCU (marked POWER) when i take a reading across these two pin when the AC connected I get 12.5 volts (which is about what i was expecting) - however - as soon as i disconnect the AC cable the voltage drops the 0v

Would this suggest a connection issue in the battery pack? Blink

Thanks!
Steve1701
#6 Posted : 09 December 2018 18:12:29

Rank: Pro

Groups:

Joined: 24/08/2009
Posts: 48,827
Points: -13,348
make sure your springs in the battery pack are not pushed to one side so not making a proper connection. hope this helps.
arpurchase
#7 Posted : 09 December 2018 18:21:21

Rank: Super-Elite

Publisher Medal: Featured Build of the MonthActive Service Medal: 500 post active service MedalPurple Medal: Super active service medal for 1000 postsTurquoise Medal: Turquoise Medal for model making know-how contributionOutstanding Build: An award for an outstanding buildBuild-Diary Medal: Build-Diary Medal of HonourRed Medal: Red Medal
Groups: Registered

Joined: 27/09/2011
Posts: 15,196
Points: 45,687
Location: Dudley
Double check the battery conections at both ends to the battery box .
Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .

Kryptonic
#8 Posted : 09 December 2018 18:29:37

Rank: Beginner Level 2

Groups: Registered

Joined: 24/08/2017
Posts: 6
Points: 33
Location: Chesterfield
UPDATE 2:

So i took a battery out the box and put the meter across it... 4.15volts... great. Pop the battery back into the battery box and read the voltage across the actual metal terminals at the top and bottom of the cell.... 0v.... nothing.

The spring looks to be in perfect contact with the negative end of the battery but the "buttons" that Ecolux have fitted to their cells look a little short that normal so i think thats what is causing the problem here..

Do I a) return the batteries or b) slightly modify the battery box to have a better contact with the battery?

It's taken me an hour or so going around R2 with the DVM - I felt like a surgeon! :LOL
arpurchase
#9 Posted : 09 December 2018 18:46:25

Rank: Super-Elite

Publisher Medal: Featured Build of the MonthActive Service Medal: 500 post active service MedalPurple Medal: Super active service medal for 1000 postsTurquoise Medal: Turquoise Medal for model making know-how contributionOutstanding Build: An award for an outstanding buildBuild-Diary Medal: Build-Diary Medal of HonourRed Medal: Red Medal
Groups: Registered

Joined: 27/09/2011
Posts: 15,196
Points: 45,687
Location: Dudley
I would return the batterys as there not suitable for fitting into the battery box and get some batterys with the correct button top.


Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .

Kryptonic
#10 Posted : 09 December 2018 18:58:37

Rank: Beginner Level 2

Groups: Registered

Joined: 24/08/2017
Posts: 6
Points: 33
Location: Chesterfield
arpurchase wrote:
I would return the batterys as there not suitable for fitting into the battery box and get some batterys with the correct button top.




fair point.

hopefully this thread will help other people if they're having issues with it powering up! It turns out now all button top batteries are born equal!
CaptainK737
#11 Posted : 19 April 2019 15:10:44

Rank: Newbie

Groups: Registered

Joined: 19/04/2019
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Essex
Hi All, unfortunately I have the same issue. However I have purchased the correct batteries, they came from 18650.uk the link and specifications are as follows;

https://18650.uk/product/samsung-30q-button-top/


This is a button top variant of the above cell. They are designed for use in torches, R2D2 models, lasers, video doorbells and other such devices and NOT for using in vaping/e-cigarette products. There can be a 1 day lead time on dispatch of 18650 button top cells.

Brand: Samsung SDI
Model: 30Q
Size: 18650
Chemistry: INR
Nominal Capacity: 3000mAh
Nominal Voltage: 3.6V
Discharge: 15A Max Continuous
Positive: Button Top
Protected: No
Rechargeable: Yes
Dimensions: 18.23mm x 64.78mm
Weight: 46.1g

This is what I have done so far, checked that all 6 batteries are seated correctly and are making contact.
I have also checked the voltage output from the PSU.
I have followed the switch on procedure as recommended in issue 100,
I have taken the front and back of the R2 unit and double checked all of the connections.
All batteries were charged as per instructions. Despite this, nothing, no lights, no noises and no movement, the droid is dead. can anyone help?

All the Best,
Karl
Iggie9
#12 Posted : 02 May 2020 20:49:07

Rank: Beginner Level 1

Groups: Registered

Joined: 21/12/2016
Posts: 8
Points: 24
Location: Dublin
I have the same issue. Was it ever resolved
Markwarren
#13 Posted : 03 May 2020 09:11:26

Rank: Super-Elite

Publisher Medal: Featured Build of the MonthActive Service Medal: 500 post active service MedalPurple Medal: Super active service medal for 1000 postsTurquoise Medal: Turquoise Medal for model making know-how contributionOutstanding Build: An award for an outstanding buildBuild-Diary Medal: Build-Diary Medal of HonourRed Medal: Red Medal
Groups: Registered, Administrators, Global Forum Support, Moderator, Forum Support Team, Official Builds

Joined: 04/01/2016
Posts: 6,544
Points: 19,949
Location: Northamptonshire, England
Might be worth check the voltage coming out of the battery box.
Here is the troubleshooting guide to help.

Troubleshooting guide
mikeurnot
#14 Posted : 09 May 2020 01:42:19

Rank: Newbie

Groups: New Members, Unapproved

Joined: 09/05/2020
Posts: 1
Points: 3
I had the same problem . If you put a battery in the box you will notice that there is a gap of about 2mm between positive point of battery and the battery point of contact .You can over come this problem by buying add on point contact button from places like Altronics au . Cost around $5.oo for the 6 sets . Inset battery and the push it up towards the negative to create a space to slip the addon point in . Do this for all . Now you will have power to R2D2 . Follow start up steps again and all will work . Have fun .
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Powered by YAF | YAF © 2003-2009, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.211 seconds.
DeAgostini