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(non-X10) Trouble shoot a RF device
bkenobi:
I have a pair of Garmin GPS collars for my dogs. One of them stopped working recently. I contacted Garmin and they told me that they no longer support that model and that I would have to buy a newer model. I realize that it likely the case, but since the collar costs $250 (maybe a little cheaper if I look hard), it seems worth my while to see if there's something obvious I can try to repair it. I've looked at the board and see no obvious signs of damage and there was no water incursion that I could detect, so I'm not sure what to check. The battery tests good.
If anyone has any thoughts, please chime in. If I can't repair it, it's not a huge loss as it's currently unusable and basically worthless anyway.
Garmin DC40
https://fccid.io/IPH-01748
petera:
Is there anything blocking the transmitter. Is there any chance the unit got wet at any stage seeing it is being worn by a dog. Do you need to recalibrate it after a battery change. If there's any chance it absorbed moisture gently heat it with a hair dryer.
Btw how old is the unit.
Knightrider:
Post pic of board.
bkenobi:
Just a little about the actual problem if anyone is interested:
The collar won't turn on and the charge light won't turn on when on the charger. This is identical to the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4-qFtJeum0
and forum discussion:
http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=475249
But, the collar is an older version that Garmin no longer supports. I was thinking that if it was an issue with a solder joint, then I could get an air reflow gun/station (like I discussed in another thread here...this was the reason I was considering it) and just slowly go over the whole board. Otherwise, I'd have to locate a likely bad component which for SMD would be tricky due to size I assume.
bkenobi:
I'll get a pic this evening. The board looks pristine but the antenna is a bit beat up (plastic is cracking). I don't believe anything has gotten inside the unit based on the looks of the seals when I opened it up.
My first thought was it got wet but since that's not the case, I'm thinking it's either a calibration thing, bad component, bad solder/trace, etc. The FCCID page shows a procedure for recalibrating the unit, but it's only possible at the factory. That said, I don't think that's the issue since it should turn on when charging and it's not.
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