Sunny Beam problem?

[Jober]

Our sunny beam started playing up on and off for the last few months. Normally the screen would come on whenever it was twiddled. But on a number of occasions it didn't light up. We thought it could have been the batteries. Then we connected it to the pc - nothing. We took the batteries out and put them back in again. It worked. So now whenever the screen doesn't light up, we take the batteries out and put them back in again.  We have contacted our installer but he can't give us a definitive answer.

Batteries at fault or something else? Has anyone come across this problem?

[Antman]

Jober

Not sure how frequently this is occurring. I know (from when I used to do a lot of servicing work) that certain TV & VCR remotes used to play up and appear dead, even though the batteries were OK. Simply spinning the cells in the holder was enough to bring the remote to life again. The cause is oxidisation of the contacts - no visible signs but enough to cause a high resistance connection. I have never worked out if it is the battery contact(s) or the remote spring contacts that press against them that cause the problem - I suspect it is the batteries themselves.

Maybe worth considering. Next time try just rotating the cells rather than removing them and see if it works. That will prove if it is a contact issue rather than a 'reset required' one.

A fibreglass pencil is the best tool for cleaning oxidised tinned terminals - but don't get the waste 'bits' in your fingers as they prick for ages afterwards 
The problem may be exacerbated by the rechargeable NimH cells which can vent off a small amount of gas during charging - especially if repeatedly over-charged. This can cause corrosion of the terminals.

Antman

[ovonrein]

How old is this thing (batteries don't last forever)?  When you do get it to display, what charge does it indicate for the battery?

[AlanIOW]

Normally the screen would come on whenever it was twiddled. But on a number of occasions it didn't light up.

Mine is exactly the same, every few months it just refuses to come on, I take the batteries out then put them straight back and all is fine. It seems it needs a reboot now and again.

A friend's down the road has done it at least once, as I had to go down and show him what to do.

Mine does it a lot less now that I don't look at it so often, I tend to look on PVOutput.org more often now.

Alan

Antman - I know what you mean about those fibreglass contact cleaners getting fibres impaled in your skin, it takes ages to come out!!

[Jober]

Ovonrein, we've had the Sunny beam for just over a year. Problem started when we had it just under a year. Notified installer pretty much immediately. Just wondered if it's worth our while getting it replaced under warranty.