Thank you for reporting with such specifics! It makes it much easier for us to test and duplicate.
I have a few data points but no clear answer yet:
I can charge the RTK Surveyor using anything USB A to C on both ESP32 and u-blox C ports on the RTK Surveyor. Meaning, a USB A wall adapter, USB A hub, USB A port on a computer using the cable you mentioned (CAB-15425). These all turn on the blue charging LED until the unit is charged (when it then turns off).
I can not charge the RTK Surveyor on the u-blox port, using a C to C cable (CAB-16905) from a C wall adapter or the C port on my computer.
I can charge the RTK Surveyoron the ESP32 port, using a C to C cable (CAB-16905) from a C wall adapter or the C port on my computer.
I have one other customer who has reported similar challenges charging from a USB C port.
So there’s something going on. In the in-between time I would recommend using a USB A port on any given computer, wall adapter, etc with a USB A to C cable (which you already have). It sounds like that may not even be working for you so, if you continue to run into problems, please feel free to contact customer service for a return until we get a solution worked out.
I tried all the ports and cables as you mentioned, but no luck. The blue LED just gives a quick flash, then nothing. There must be something wrong with the charging between the ports and the battery.
On another note, the coax cable mentioned in the setup is not the correct cable (female ends vs male). After some fiddling around I ordered different cables on Amazon and got it hooked up no problem, but it would be great if you cleared that up for customers looking at the unit. Again, it’s an AMAZING unit! I’ve been in the survey/GIS world for 20+ years and I’m floored at the accuracy I am getting! I’ll definitely be ordering again!
I am having good luck and bad luck depending on how you look at it:
TOL-16272 USB-Wall Adaptor 5.1V 3A with CAB-16905 Cable charges the RTK Surveyor great for me
TOL-16893 USB Wall Charger 5V 2A with CAB-15425 Cable charges great for me
Other things of note:
My Innergie laptop charger charges the RTK Surveyor just fine
Charging a RTK Surveyor from the USB C port on a laptop (Lenovo and MacBook Air) fails
I suspect laptops are very particular about what they will provide power to whereas wall chargers are more passive.
TNC to SMA cable - Sorry about that. I got confused and had the description wrong. Should be correct now. We tried to make the images as clear as possible so smarter folks than I would be able to see what the connectors were. All the confusion should be resolved next week - we have a correct cable that just arrived.
Please, if something isn’t right, contact customer service and return the unit. I want to get you a function, charging unit.
rcorson:
I tried all the ports and cables as you mentioned, but no luck. The blue LED just gives a quick flash, then nothing. There must be something wrong with the charging between the ports and the battery.
On another note, the coax cable mentioned in the setup is not the correct cable (female ends vs male). After some fiddling around I ordered different cables on Amazon and got it hooked up no problem, but it would be great if you cleared that up for customers looking at the unit. Again, it’s an AMAZING unit! I’ve been in the survey/GIS world for 20+ years and I’m floored at the accuracy I am getting! I’ll definitely be ordering again!
ditto on the wrong cable…bought 2 cables and both are not going to see any action for the rest of their lives…Had to order diffenect cables after discovering connectors are not easy to get right either…
I also cant charge mine - same blue led flash. I have tried 5 different cables, i have tried 3 different wall chargers (0.5A, 1A, 2A) and I have tried power banks, and I have tried pc usb ports 2.0 and 3.0.
The only thing the product listing says is “To charge the RTK Surveyor you will need a USB C cable and a power supply. SparkFun carries a few options:”
Is there some very specific cable and charger config and alignment of the planets that works?
I have tried another 3.7v battery in to the jst, and completely the same results. I have also started charging the provided battery via a different sparkfun charge circuit that i had on hand - and it works fine.
It looks like some of these units have defective ICs
OK, we will need to get that back to have a look at.
If you purchased it directly off our website, just [fill in the form on this page with your order number and the URL to this forum post and we can replace it for you.
If you purchased from a distributor or Amazon you will need to let them know you have a defective product and arrange with them for an exchange.](Return Policy - SparkFun Electronics)
TS-Chris:
OK, we will need to get that back to have a look at.
If you purchased it directly off our website, just [fill in the form on this page with your order number and the URL to this forum post and we can replace it for you.
If you purchased from a distributor or Amazon you will need to let them know you have a defective product and arrange with them for an exchange.
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Use core-electronics in australia. Have sent back to them. They attempted a replacement but I was informed that the product is out of stock with both them and sparkfun. A true shame because i loved the product! full refund instead.](Return Policy - SparkFun Electronics)