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OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Sunday 6. March 2022, 18:23
by Nowhereman
My OSTC Plus isn't charging at all. When placed on the charging puck the puck will go solid green or flashing green but the battery doesn't charge. I have tried a couple of different USB plugs (including ones that have worked previously). It's on the latest firmware (3.17) and I have tried a new rechargeable battery.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Wednesday 9. March 2022, 12:03
by heinrichsweikamp
Hi,

You have the 3,6V rechargeable battery in the unit? 1,2V NiMH batteries will not be recharged in the unit.

Make sure "T2" Battery type is choosen, otherwise the battery charging is disabled.

Also check the battery contact spring? Is it still shiny and golden? If not there might be some contact issues resulting in the charging circuit to sense too high impedance. This also results in "no charging."

regards,
Matthias

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Monday 21. March 2022, 18:34
by Nowhereman
Hi there,

I've got a 3.7v battery that was supplied by HW. It has previously taken a charge so I presume it's fine. I tried using an alternate (1.2V battery) and the computer turned on but placing it on the charging pad turned it red (so the charging element seems to be detecting it). Computer was set to T2, although with the older battery the screen doesn't even turn on to select this. Charging pad with the older battery stays a solid green.

I have inspected the contact spring and it is shiny and doesn't show any discolouration.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Monday 21. March 2022, 18:36
by heinrichsweikamp
Nowhereman wrote: Monday 21. March 2022, 18:34 I tried using an alternate (1.2V battery) and the computer turned on but placing it on the charging pad turned it red (so the charging element seems to be detecting it).
1.2V batteries will not be charged in the OSTC even if you setup T2. 1.2V NiMH batteries are not recommended in the OSTC plus due to the low cell voltage.

Regards,
Matthias

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Tuesday 22. March 2022, 00:23
by Nowhereman
Noted, as I said I'm using a 3.7v as the 1.2v doesn't work.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Friday 1. April 2022, 20:37
by Nowhereman
To follow up on this: I have used the 3.7v batter that was supplied by HW and have bought a new one as well.

Neither are showing charging when on the charging pad. It goes green and blinks, the screen either remains off (original battery) or shows the % without turning yellow (new battery). The computer is set to 3.7v battery and I've marked it as rechargeable.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Saturday 2. April 2022, 05:39
by gr3yw0lf
hm...

have you tried an usb charger with ≥2A?
is the "puck" in the correct position and the "copper spiral" is pointing towards the ostc?
sometimes a milimeter makes the differece....

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Saturday 3. December 2022, 18:51
by Joaogomes
I am completely frustrated by the decision to have bought the OSTC Plus along with two 3.7v batteries. Charging difficulties are constant. I've been trying for 3 days with both batteries and several chargers. OSTC always ends up blinking red.

Before putting everything up for sale, please help to understand and I just ask:

- can someone charge 3.7 batt without problem?

even when the batteries, despite being new, are completely discharged?

Thank you very much in advance for all your help.
I do love all main features of this computer, but if it’s almost impossible to charge…and all the stress associated.. for trying (with no success) to do something so basic


João

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Sunday 4. December 2022, 07:11
by gr3yw0lf
ok

in my case I had similar issues with all of the chargers I got with my cellphones. most of these chargers run at 1.5A which is critical. I bought me a anker charger running at 2.5A and it works great with my OSTC plus.

so take a look at your chargers - I bet they are running lower than 2A and that's it.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Sunday 4. December 2022, 14:30
by edhowarth
This is my experience as well. I usually carry a decent usb power bank with me. That can be kept fully charged from a low current source over a few hours, and it will provide the necessary for my OSTC when it needs charging in a hurry.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Wednesday 25. January 2023, 11:55
by abcdef
I've had the same problem for years. Charger usually blinks red, then I remove it from the OSTCplus, put it on again, wait again, ... and so on until eventually it stays green and charges. Good idea to check the amp rating of the charger.
One thing I found: it usually works faster if I do not remove and reattach the OSTC from the pad, but instead remove the charger from the wall socket and put it in again.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Wednesday 25. January 2023, 12:03
by Rob
When the charger starts blinking in red after a view seconds, the charger is to weak.
I can reproduce it here, with a 30W charger (a cheap one from amazon) it runs perfect.
Hope this helps.

CU Rob

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Thursday 26. January 2023, 20:52
by Motardplongeur
Position of the OSTC is not a question of mm, it is about a tenth of mm !

Having the issue w/ my OSTC 2N, even w/ a 30W charger ; having a big flat Wireless Charger, the issue is mainly due to the bungees avoiding having the OSTC touching the WC surface, loosing a lot of efficiency. Needing to put a huge book on it ! I do not tell you what does it mean while cruising w/ waves ...And quite not able to find the right position w/ the HW original WC.

Something you need to improve for further models ;-)

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Friday 27. January 2023, 06:02
by swissdiving
@Montardplongeur
The OSTC 2N has to be plugged in to be charged. It cannot be wirelessly charged.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Friday 27. January 2023, 08:06
by Rob
Than try another cable. One with a small plug, or remove parts of the plastic from the plug with a cutter.
I removed all of the plastic from the plug and put a shrinking tube around it.

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Friday 27. January 2023, 10:15
by Motardplongeur
swissdiving wrote: Friday 27. January 2023, 06:02 @Montardplongeur
The OSTC 2N has to be plugged in to be charged. It cannot be wirelessly charged.
My mistake, it is a 2NE, w/o any plug

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Saturday 8. July 2023, 17:36
by Nowhereman
My problem from last year has expanded a bit. I bought a 3.6v Sanyo battery, matching the specifications listed in the post about OSTC+ batteries. Charging for this and another rechargeable battery wasn't working properly (when placed on the charger, it would turn green, show a % and then 30 seconds later show 100%). I left the computer charging for approx 2 hours prior to a trip (yesterday) and today discovered it wouldn't turn on at all.

On opening the computer, the battery seems to have overheated. The plastic case has melted in places and the negative end has discoloured. Putting fresh AA batteries isn't doing anything and the whole unit seems to be dead :(

Re: OSTC Plus Charging Problem

Posted: Sunday 23. July 2023, 15:40
by heinrichsweikamp
Hi,

What's the exact type of battery you used?

regards,
Matthias