Not Charging Solved In This Head Lamp Used For Service
These are two headlamps that I keep using while doing the service as I get proper focused light on the point where I look. The head lamp can be adjusted for focus and it has two modes of bright and low and yet another lamp underneath for use when you walk. This is a very useful headlamp that I bought from Amazon long back. Since it is an essential tool for my service, I took care to charge one when the other was in use. But one day I noticed that one of them had intermittent contacts and charging was not taking place properly. So, I opened it removing two screws holding the battery compartment, upon which we could see the single PCB that did the work. Single press – headlamp on, next press – dims the light; next press switches off headlamp and switches on bottom light, next press – switches off.
I plugged in the AC adaptor and checked whether the 5V was reaching the inner side of the port. It was missing. On a close scrutiny, I noticed that it was not a case of dry solder, but the pin had broken off. So, I disconnected the battery wire and took out the board for replacing the port. I am giving a few closer pictures of the board too for those who are interested. There is no name or model number on the lamp!
As this type of port was not available in the market, I had to connect two wires inside in positions and then fix it externally. Removing the port was easy, as it came off when I applied heat with my soldering iron. You can perhaps see the kind of ICs used in the circuit. One IC (probably the charger) was reading MavQb! When I searched I got the datasheet of one IC Number STC-4054 which is a single cell Li-ion battery and probably that is what it was. But there was no indication in the datasheet!
The finished work looked like this and when I applied charging power, it got charged with red light and turned to blue once reached full charge:
Mission accomplished with a simple solution! Though the fixing of the new port looked crude, it served the purpose and since it was for my own use, look did not matter!
Do you all agree?
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 74 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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You may check on his previous article on Dial Lamp Burning Solved In PHILIPS Valve (Tube) Radio MAESTRO 15RB677/01S
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Waleed Rishmawi
March 29, 2025 at 4:30 pm
totally agree since it is yours. customers usually complain about such external charging port. I remember one customer even though I asked her permision to use not an external port but different port and also changed the male input blug and the machine worked fine she still complains about the repair.. good job on the repair. have a blessed day
Parasuraman S
March 29, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Yes, we do get such cranky customers! What to do! A part of the game! Many thanks, dear friend!
Yogesh Panchal
March 29, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Good Job! Sir,
Yes, headlamp is a very useful tool when we are working at client's location or on outdoor or place where there is very little light & this device gives proper focus on targeted area & we are having both the hand free for tackle the Job.
Parasuraman S
March 29, 2025 at 9:11 pm
Yes, I have to such lamps and I have added one more recently. This is a must for doing proper service and it is easy! Many thanks, dear Yogesh Bai!
Albert van Bemmelen
March 29, 2025 at 5:18 pm
I understand that fortunately the old removed charging port connector still worked when used externally. But I still have to ask why it couldn't be fixed internally anymore since it still worked when it was connected through 2 soldered on wires, which in that case also could have firmly glued back onto the pcb with hotmelt or in other ways?
Parasuraman S
March 29, 2025 at 9:15 pm
That is what I tried. The port was not seating properly and there was no space to do any additional fixture as it was next to the battery compartment. Many thanks, dear Albert, for your expert comments!
muykit
March 30, 2025 at 12:59 am
Dear reader if what I write here sounds not quite in order then dont try it. Many are the times I have successfully and neatly replaced mobile phone charging ports and other similar charging ports on different electronic gadgets, by using. are you still reading ? A candle ! I normally heat the port area from bellow the circuit board with a candle, if their is no circuit component near under the port. Using personal judgement I then pull out or put in place a replacement port after the candle flame heats the circuit boards port location long enough. I use same candle wax as soldering flux ! In much the same way I also replace ...... let not the 'master of replacing capacitors' get to here of this, yes, capacitors I do also replace in a similar fashion. When you have no proper tools, or even when there is no electricity, explore other possible avenues such that, the end has to cnnvincingly justify the means . Sorry Engineer Parasuraman if I've unnecessarilly filled your space with unpleasant writing.
Parasuraman S
March 30, 2025 at 9:26 am
Many thanks for Jestine Yong, who is the moderator for allowing such comments too to be published here! First of all the comments are not at all unpleasant! I fully understand and grasp the depth of your comments and do appreciate it. Removing components from the board using candle is something I have never even thought of! Will it not leave black marks on the board? How can we control the temperature, as when we focus on removing the necessary components, the PCB might catch fire! Anyhow, you need not be sorry at all! You all have the full fredom and privelege to comments on my articles published here, dear muykit! Many thanks!
Mark J
March 30, 2025 at 3:19 am
Parasuraman I use a headlamp similar to that one sometimes. They work well. Regarding the port sometimes you have to choose function over form. Good job on the repair.
Parasuraman S
March 30, 2025 at 9:30 am
I liked your use of ryhming words'function over form!' It is very concise and apt carrying a depth of meaning! Many thanks for your valuable comments, dear Mark!
Mark J
March 31, 2025 at 4:00 am
Your are welcome. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience.
muykit
March 30, 2025 at 12:42 pm
May I also add that both charging and USB ports will have problems because of mishandling. For instance when a different charger is used in, say, a mobile phone, yet it doesnt fit very well. Their is a tendency for many of us to force the chargers pin into the charging port, this in the process dislodges the port without someone knowging. hence bringing about a charging problem, or use of earphone issues ariise. So here you see also wrongly connecting earphones may as well creat charging port problems, the port is one and the same. This mess up happens either way, when the charging port is ever slightly smaller or minutely larger. Or just the one occasion that your phone falls while a charger is connected and the phone remains hanging by the charger cable, that likely causes a charging problem to develop owing to the charging port electrical disconnection from its sitting. Its sometimes hard to avoid sharing this gadgets, its even more hard to watch over whoever borrows it Thanks Engineer Parasuraman
Parasuraman S
March 30, 2025 at 6:01 pm
A lot of inputs there, dear! You have just pumped out all pent up experienced feelings about the charging port and that is absolutely right! Many thanks for finding time to write such elaborate comments and I really love it!
Mark J
March 31, 2025 at 4:05 am
I do not mean to get off subject but does any one use on the those hot tweezers for smd soldering? I was looking in to buying one.
Parasuraman S
March 31, 2025 at 3:10 pm
I suggest you use two microtip soldering irons (12V RC type connectors) and lift the component out with the tips gripping it tight enough. I have seen my techie friends very easily remove the components like that.
Mark J
April 2, 2025 at 8:13 am
Thanks I will look in to those. What do you use for soldering smd components Parasuraman? I already have a basic hot air rework station that I use sometimes.