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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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IS MY DEAD SONEIL BATTERY CHARGER WORTH FIXING?
My 4-Amp 24-volt battery charger recently died.
FACTS: My Soneil charger came with a 1-year warranty; and, Soneil claims that their Soneil battery charger has a 50,000 MBTF (Mean Time Between Failure) Hours rating, which is peculiar, given the 1-year limited warranty. WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR: So, I obtained some quotes from battery charger repair shops, including Soneil's recommended fix-it shop in MN. I got quotes from $80-$160. However, a new charger would cost only $115 plus shipping and taxes. I also phoned an electric wheelchair manufacturer who alleged that Soneil chargers last an average of 2-3 years use (by their disabled customers) before needing replacement. A REPAIR TECHNICIAN'S OPINION: I also spent $20 for a well-respected electronics repair person to review the dead Soneil charger. This are his opinions.. ...two transistors, a resistor, diode, etc need replacement. ...a nut for the heat sink connection to the chassis was missing ...no heat-sink compound between the heat sink and chassis. ...The repair techician also opined, in his review, that the large capacitors were only rated to 85 degrees whereas there are ones available that are rated up to 105 degrees. Also, in his opinion, the small 'chemical' capacitors would dry out from heat and would not last anywhere near 50,000 hours. I am unable to find any useful or helpful owner or technical reviews, user comment, or consumer reports. Please tell me what to do, in your opinion. xxx |
#2
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I take it from your explanation that you are an Adult
if that is the case then you are full capable of making your own descisions.Nobody here can do that for you. Its an appliance basically therefore you either fix it or replace it. You make the descision. jmo kip |
#3
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john wrote:
I take it from your explanation that you are an Adult if that is the case then you are full capable of making your own descisions.Nobody here can do that for you. Its an appliance basically therefore you either fix it or replace it. You make the descision. jmo kip Kip, I hope that you don't end up in a wheelchair someday.... To the OP...I assume that you are disabled, since this is a wheelchair charger. Did the person who looked at your charger quote you a price? If so, why don't you have him repair it? IMO, you 'might' get by with the original capacitors. Perhaps there is a non-profit or other organization, such as a technical school, in your area which could do the repair for the price of parts, or grant you the repair/replacement funds. OTOH, if you can get a new charger for $115--assuming it's not just more of the same--that might be the way to go. jak |
#4
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If a heat sink was not attached properly in the first place, then it was
defective as built, and I think you have a warranty claim. It also sounds like it might be a good investment to have the local technician *rebuild* it, better than new. |
#5
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On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 16:41:00 -0500, "jakdedert"
wrote: john wrote: I take it from your explanation that you are an Adult if that is the case then you are full capable of making your own descisions.Nobody here can do that for you. Its an appliance basically therefore you either fix it or replace it. You make the descision. jmo kip Kip, I hope that you don't end up in a wheelchair someday.... That's exactly what needs to happen to him. To the OP...I assume that you are disabled, since this is a wheelchair charger. Did the person who looked at your charger quote you a price? If so, why don't you have him repair it? IMO, you 'might' get by with the original capacitors. Perhaps there is a non-profit or other organization, such as a technical school, in your area which could do the repair for the price of parts, or grant you the repair/replacement funds. OTOH, if you can get a new charger for $115--assuming it's not just more of the same--that might be the way to go. jak |
#6
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Get a Grip..
Either fix it or replace it....Now thats not hard is it ? kip |
#7
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"john" wrote in message
... Get a Grip.. Either fix it or replace it....Now thats not hard is it ? kip Who are you and why are you ridiculing this person (who is wheelchair-bound and needs to charge his wheelchair battery) for using this newsgroup for its intended purpose, namely to ask for technical advice? His question was non-trivial. If indeed the heat sink was not properly assembled at time of manufacture, then he probably has a warranty claim even after the warranty has expired, because it was a pre-existing problem. My recommendation was that the shortest, least expensive path to a good charger might be to have the local technician rebuild the charger (with minor improvements noted). In short -- One of the things this person wanted to know is whether the local technician's advice made sense. And several of us were able to confirm that it did. |
#8
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In short -- One of the things this person wanted to know is whether
the local technician's advice made sense. Now he doubts the local Tech,s advice ! then he probably has a warranty claim even after the warranty has expired, because it was a pre-existing problem. You are not serious are you ? Get it fixed or replace it.. kip |
#9
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After reading these posts...
I don't beleave that it will be repaired under warranty. They will find a way to fight it unless they had other units that had the same problem. Or they will say that you taking it apart voids the warranty anyway. If it truly had the problems listed, then I think you would be better off having it repaired. With better parts and done correctly. With luck you be able to find someone that is willing to help you out and not rip you off. Remove NoSpam to reply, Thanks |
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