Possible design flaw with Skyports?

Paulmack

Paulmack

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A few weeks ago I had some massive problems with my skyports, damn things wouldn't work! Tried everything and last resort was the battery in the transmitter.
Been laid up for a few weeks and today was my first day out so I asked the missus to take me to Maplin so I could get a battery. Got home, tried it and it worked.
What puzzled me was the fact that the battery had died but it had been used very little but I think I have sussed it.

The kit comes with a carry case and I think that when I put it back in the case the elastic strap puts pressure on it and causes the test switch to make which in effect has killed the battery. These things have no on off switch but the receiver does which is strange.

Anyway so lesson learned....Take the battery out before putting it away and keep a fair few spares in the bag just in case!
 
The transmitter should have an off/group/all switch. I've had the dead battery problem too but that was caused by me leaving it switched on for weeks. Baught a load of spares from a watch battery website so I carry a couply around in the case with me.
 
Kev M said:
Baught a load of spares from a watch battery website so I carry a couply around in the case with me.
Click to expand...
Been nice if they made the trans battery a rechargeable arrangement- those CRs aren't cheap.
 
Yeah sorry, I havent explained my first post quite right.

The switch on the side which is off/group/all is the one that appears to catch on the elastic when putting it back and so it switches back on. Then the pressure on top hits the test button and pretty much kills it.

I think your right Merovingian, they should have made it rechargeable like the receiver. It may have made the size a little similar to the receiver but in comparison to Pocket Wizards it would still be quite small!
 
Merovingian said:
Been nice if they made the trans battery a rechargeable arrangement- those CRs aren't cheap.
Click to expand...


£1.71 each when you buy ten isn't that expensive especially when you've grown up with PT-04's which aren't rechargeable unless you make an AA mod and eat CR2s which are even more expensive.
 
Thats a good price considering I paid £3 for 1!!
 
Well I've had the same battery in mine since day one, which in fact is 2years :D

I dont strap my transmitter into the strap on the case. All the receivers are but the transmitter was just a bit tight, so I left it
 
Yeah I think the best thing to do is keep them in the pouch but just not put them under the straps.
 
You guys are making me jealous, I can't use mine since the receiver charge finished as I've 'misplaced' the charger. I want to by another receiver anyway, but can I find a UK stockist with stock or either the charger or unit, no!

Been two months now, hohum....
 
By the looks of it you cant buy the original anywhere in the UK.
The manufacturer of the charger is a company called Helms-Man and they are based in Hong Kong.

I had a little look around and there is a guy in Leicester selling a universal one on Ebay here which should do the trick. Its the right voltage and mA and the smallest pin there is a female 0.75mm which I think is the right one so worth having a go for £7.45 with free P&P.
 
Cheers Paulmack, I've ordered one. Will be useful even if it doesn't fit. :thumbs:

It's one of those annoying things in life because I know it's 'in the house somewhere'! lol.
 
I really thought that would do the trick, the smallest size seemed tiny at 0.75m.
Can you return it and try another? Or visit maplin and but the tip adaptors that might fit??
 
Stage 1 success, I've got an adapter that fits (Maplins Miniature Style 2.5mm x 0.75mm). I can 'customise' my Ebay transformer so it fits quite easily, however I need to know the transformed voltage on the official charger before I go for it. Does anyone have one handy they can check for me please?

Cheers.
 
Will have a little look at mine later when I get home mate
 
Cheers. Currently set to the lowest voltage setting (1.5v) it has a constant light on at the moment but this could only be trickle charging it for the next 10 days lol!
 
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