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Battery Problems - Printable Version

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Battery Problems - zacharydrake - 02-12-2017

So not sure what Ive done wrong but when I insert my batteries (14500 Sanyos) the bottom terminal causes the battery to start sparking when it makes connection with the positive end. Also the top terminal heats up the battery where its hot to the touch. I took some pictures to show my connection and soldering. Maybe someone can help me figure out what Ive done wrong or what else I should try. Thanks.

[Image: 3KrPhg4.jpg?]
[Image: uDn5JdH.jpg]
[Image: C0P0weJ.jpg]
[Image: 3U5MsMd.jpg]

Batteries using (inserting as shown + on left, - on right)
[Image: NivXUaa.jpg]


RE: Battery Problems - Flavor - 02-12-2017

I don't see an obvious problem here right off. How are you inserting the batteries? It should work off of one battery. The flat side of the battery should touch the spring that you soldered in. They should both go in the same way.

I have never seen sparking. That is very odd. Be careful!


RE: Battery Problems - Flavor - 02-12-2017

On the back (under) side of the H2 white housing, cut off the protrusions that stick out. They might touch the metal on the back of the LCD.


RE: Battery Problems - Flavor - 02-12-2017

Also try without the Pi connected. You could have a solder bridge (short) on the Pi header. You should be able to charge the battery without the Pi connected. The blue led will come on when charging.


RE: Battery Problems - zacharydrake - 02-12-2017

(02-12-2017, 11:53 AM)Flavor Wrote: I don't see an obvious problem here right off. How are you inserting the batteries? It should work off of one battery. The flat side of the battery should touch the spring that you soldered in. They should both go in the same way.

I have never seen sparking. That is very odd. Be careful!

Yes that's how I have them inserted. Going to try trimming the back of the H2 and without my pi. I'll report back with my findings!


RE: Battery Problems - zacharydrake - 02-12-2017

Trimming down the back of H2 did the trick! You're the man Ed!


RE: Battery Problems - Flavor - 02-13-2017

Great news! Thanks zacharydrake!


RE: Battery Problems - Arrta - 02-19-2017

For those of you using the flat packs.. make note of this info especially well.. I just found out that I apparently fried one of the 2 battery packs I installed in my first kit when I discovered the problem initially.
Apparently the GPA/1000c is smater than we are. I had 2 battery packs installed, one being bad without my knowledge.
I opened it one last time to work our some wire placement issues with the packs and reformat the SD card because I messed up the overscan. When I put it together the screen stayed white. Pulled it apart again and found that the ribbon was not seated JUST right.. When I went to test it before closing with one pack, it would not power on.. The screen would light up, the power would flash red a few times, but the pie would never take over. I tested everything I could, even plugging in to power which got it up and running. I reconnected the battery to test again and it worked.. It was that time I realized I had grabbed a different battery than the first time. I switched back to the first one and the same issue it would not power. If both the good and the bad were connected it was fine, but if I used 1, it would only power on with a specific one.
Since I had bought a pack of 4 batteries, I'm doing 2 builds, I pulled one from the parts for the other kit and it fired up just fine.. installed both good batteries and called it a night.
As you all know, the GPA has a blue light indicating charging. I had been charging the 2 batteries up (one good and one bad), and using the GPA testing things before giving it to my son. The light always remained blue no matter how long I left it on the charger. Now that I have 2 good batteries installed the light changed green at some point last night while it was charging.