The USB B connector (printer cable) is loose. The cable fits tightly in the connector, but will disconnect at random especially if the cable is bumped. Short of pulling the controller apart, does anyone have suggestions? I have replaced the cable that came with the MK2 last spring. Disconnects can happen even with the vacuum not attached or running. No other power tools in use on that circuit.
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@Graham , I had similar issues stopping disconnecting etc. I did the ground wire on the Vac hose but latter noticed the machine can be sensitive to anything else running on the same ac circuit. I think to solve it completely maybe an isolation transformer would be of great assistance. If you replaced the usb cable make sure you use one with ferrites to eliminate interference. CLICK
I was having this same issue when I started. My computer is just outside my shop to keep it out of the dusty environment. I was using a good 25" USB cable running above the suspended ceiling but kept dropping the connection . I solved this by replacing the cable with a 20’ shielded USB cable. That was several month ago and have not lost the connection since. Might be worth a try.
Random disconnect during job.
Thank you forum. I had changed what I had hooked up to the same circuit (added vacuum cleaner & downdraft table to controller & computer) downdraft was not on but the vac ran with the job. It cured the disconnect !
I am currently trouble shooting disconnects on my Altmil. I have determined that the USB-C connector on the controller is causing issues in my case. Either the connector is bad or, and this is more likely, there is a defective solder joint where the connector is soldered to the board. Unfortunately it appears that the connector is surface mounted which makes it very difficult to repair.
Well, if you could get the pcb out of it’s housing, the usb-c connector is pretty much clear from any obstacles. That would make it a relative easy target for a repair.
It does not take any solder skills to see if a pin is loose. Lightly feel each pin with a wooden tooth pick. If one is bad, you’ll notice. Resoldering doesn’t need much skills either if you have a basic soldering iron (not pistol) with a pointed tip. Idealy you would want a rosin flux pen to add a wee flux to the bad pin after that its only dropping the tip of the iron on the pad of the bad pin and keep it there for a second or two. No need to add solder, even if the pin never seated, there will be solder on the pad.
Oh, having splendid eyes and steady hand might help a wee too.
I didn’t take the board out of the housing but from looking at it from the top, it would appear to be a surface mount connector. I have asked Sienci for confirmation as I didn’t want to take the board out only to find that the connector is in fact surface mounted. You are correct in that if the thing is a through hole connector than the repair is a no-brainer. I have not had much luck with surface mount USB-C connectors despite owning a hot air solder station
Oh you def don’t wa t to blast this one with hot air, you’ll melt the inner plastics for sure. You just tiptoe the loose pin/pad -if there is one-after wetting it with a good rosin like flux, with the tip of your iron.
But.. if you still have warranty or Sienci stands behind their product with coulance towards faulty products, you might better go that route.
I believe a ticket might work even better than a solder iron.
And yes, it’s an smd component.
I have inquired with Sienci to see if they might extend the warranty to cover this. My thinking is that maybe, since there have been many issues with disconnects, this might be a manufacturing defect that they would cover but I am not holding my breath. You never know until you ask …