This calls into question the reliability of the battery. The one thing that scares me about these budget batteries is the fact that their internal resistance does not limit their capability to dump a bunch of current if the protection circuit fails (or doesn't exist). That could result in an instant fire. This ability of the lithium chemistry batteries is also what I appreciate about them... the ability to deliver sufficient current without voltage loss to my radios and other station equipment. It's a love-hate relationship at its best. ;) But safety is something I take seriously and a reason why I'm careful about batteries and power systems associated with my station. Don't get me wrong -- I think lithium chemistry batteries are a great solution for radio operators. I really appreciate the potential for thousands of recharge cycles from LFP batteries. (They will outlast me.) But care is required.
Wow, that's not right. They need a new guy in QC. Folks shouldn't have to repair new products! thanks for sharing Kevin. Great to catch you yesterday. Look forward to catching you again soon! - 73
There is a certain percentage of every run that is broken. This is what customer service and warranties are for. If the "average" customer of this device was asked to open up the battery and they declined... Would the company do an exchange? It's a simple fix and I would have done that fix myself if asked... But I'm special (just ask my mommy). If I had no issues with customer service I'd still consider this a pass.
I agree Steve, I was really surprised by how little they actually cared on this one. Not much of a tare down for sure. It certainly took the mystery away for me. And yes, you are special and a really good guy. Thanks for the suggestion.
I used to be in electronics. Those kinds of connectors are a friction fit, it's very possible that it passed at the factory but vibrated out during shipping and handling. Sometimes we would send out product with similar connectors and this very thing happened when the client did their incoming inspection on the product we sent to them. Sometimes the connector is just tight enough to hold at the factory, and that's it. They make em by the billions, they can't test every single one, you're gonna get ones like that eventually. And sure, they could get a meter with a connector that clips in, but that would likely be a custom module requiring modification to the meter enclosure, and this would add more to the price. My guess is GoKWh isn't targeting the market segment that will buy the highest quality at any price, they're targeting a more budget-conscious market segment that's willing to accept some tradeoffs. Any way they can get the price down without affecting the quality of the battery too much helps them stay in their market segment. I'm not clutching any pearls here, this is just something that happens sometimes. Connect it back up, tape it in, and move on with your day!
Having gone this far I would have changed the wire myself and soldered the connections. You've voided the warranty by digging out the caps, they also serve as a tamper proof visual for the manufacturer.
If you would have asked for an exchange and had been refused then there would have been a problem. When you said that you wanted to open it up they could have (and probably should have) told you "please don't, we'll happily exchange it." But, since you cracked it open I now know that it is a simple fix for that particular problem.
45, They actually told me NO for an exchange. That meant to me no warranty or support, and was the main reason for me to investigate. I am glad I found out how they treat at least some customers.
My LCD came broken (Cracked). I decided not to do a video. Now you have me thinking, Maybe I can replace the screen. The screen looks extremely glued in. Do you recall if it looked easy to replace? Thanks
It's totally easy to get into that box, and it is only glued in. Maybe there is a replacement meter from another company? Let me know if you do, I might make a change as well.
I order a lot of stuff on Amazon and when I got my antenna lip mount it was missing 1 of the bolts that adjust the angle of the antenna. I called them to asked them to send me the bolt but instead refunded my payment and I got to keep the mount.
I had a new washing machine way back in 1988. The timer wouldn’t do squat. Called the factory and they told me the timer wires will pop off with rough handling. Sure enough it was a fire fell off. They told me they would sent a check for $20 for my trouble. Washer still works but still waiting on the check.
I am finding good quality control is a thing of the past. Products are thrown together, all the required stickers slapped on and it's out the door. The focus now-a-days is on profits with no care for customer service..... sadly.
This is just poor quality, period. Makes you wonder where else they cut corners. I'll take a pass and go elsewhere. You shouldn't have to be their quality control and fix their design issues even if they did send it to you for free. If you think otherwise about this because they sent it to you than I question your ethics as well.
Agreed, customer service and quality control is what drives customers to or away from a product, I felt it was really important to get to the bottom of this problem and share it with all of you.
What to do you think, was it worth the effort ? It was an easy fix afterall. I wonder if I am the only customer who experienced this problem ?
This calls into question the reliability of the battery. The one thing that scares me about these budget batteries is the fact that their internal resistance does not limit their capability to dump a bunch of current if the protection circuit fails (or doesn't exist). That could result in an instant fire.
This ability of the lithium chemistry batteries is also what I appreciate about them... the ability to deliver sufficient current without voltage loss to my radios and other station equipment.
It's a love-hate relationship at its best. ;) But safety is something I take seriously and a reason why I'm careful about batteries and power systems associated with my station.
Don't get me wrong -- I think lithium chemistry batteries are a great solution for radio operators. I really appreciate the potential for thousands of recharge cycles from LFP batteries. (They will outlast me.) But care is required.
'I give this a thumbs up like you should give this a thumbs up.' Fabulous. How can I not?
Thanks Mike
I'm like you on fixing things that don't work, or at least try. (K7SW) I like your videos!
Thanks 👍
Wow, that's not right. They need a new guy in QC. Folks shouldn't have to repair new products! thanks for sharing Kevin. Great to catch you yesterday. Look forward to catching you again soon! - 73
Likewise, great QSO
There is a certain percentage of every run that is broken. This is what customer service and warranties are for. If the "average" customer of this device was asked to open up the battery and they declined... Would the company do an exchange? It's a simple fix and I would have done that fix myself if asked... But I'm special (just ask my mommy). If I had no issues with customer service I'd still consider this a pass.
I agree Steve, I was really surprised by how little they actually cared on this one. Not much of a tare down for sure. It certainly took the mystery away for me. And yes, you are special and a really good guy. Thanks for the suggestion.
Glad mine worked , sucks you had to fix it!
Circle of life
I used to be in electronics. Those kinds of connectors are a friction fit, it's very possible that it passed at the factory but vibrated out during shipping and handling. Sometimes we would send out product with similar connectors and this very thing happened when the client did their incoming inspection on the product we sent to them. Sometimes the connector is just tight enough to hold at the factory, and that's it. They make em by the billions, they can't test every single one, you're gonna get ones like that eventually.
And sure, they could get a meter with a connector that clips in, but that would likely be a custom module requiring modification to the meter enclosure, and this would add more to the price. My guess is GoKWh isn't targeting the market segment that will buy the highest quality at any price, they're targeting a more budget-conscious market segment that's willing to accept some tradeoffs. Any way they can get the price down without affecting the quality of the battery too much helps them stay in their market segment.
I'm not clutching any pearls here, this is just something that happens sometimes. Connect it back up, tape it in, and move on with your day!
i have seen how some package handlers throw stuff around
Having gone this far I would have changed the wire myself and soldered the connections. You've voided the warranty by digging out the caps, they also serve as a tamper proof visual for the manufacturer.
Yes. And lucky for me, they actually put it in writing for me to open it up and do this fix.
If you would have asked for an exchange and had been refused then there would have been a problem. When you said that you wanted to open it up they could have (and probably should have) told you "please don't, we'll happily exchange it." But, since you cracked it open I now know that it is a simple fix for that particular problem.
45,
They actually told me NO for an exchange. That meant to me no warranty or support, and was the main reason for me to investigate.
I am glad I found out how they treat at least some customers.
My LCD came broken (Cracked). I decided not to do a video. Now you have me thinking, Maybe I can replace the screen. The screen looks extremely glued in. Do you recall if it looked easy to replace? Thanks
It's totally easy to get into that box, and it is only glued in. Maybe there is a replacement meter from another company? Let me know if you do, I might make a change as well.
I order a lot of stuff on Amazon and when I got my antenna lip mount it was missing 1 of the bolts that adjust the angle of the antenna. I called them to asked them to send me the bolt but instead refunded my payment and I got to keep the mount.
I had a new washing machine way back in 1988. The timer wouldn’t do squat. Called the factory and they told me the timer wires will pop off with rough handling. Sure enough it was a fire fell off. They told me they would sent a check for $20 for my trouble. Washer still works but still waiting on the check.
That is a good one. At least they offered. Thanks for sharing
I am finding good quality control is a thing of the past. Products are thrown together, all the required stickers slapped on and it's out the door. The focus now-a-days is on profits with no care for customer service..... sadly.
This is just poor quality, period. Makes you wonder where else they cut corners. I'll take a pass and go elsewhere. You shouldn't have to be their quality control and fix their design issues even if they did send it to you for free. If you think otherwise about this because they sent it to you than I question your ethics as well.
Agreed, customer service and quality control is what drives customers to or away from a product, I felt it was really important to get to the bottom of this problem and share it with all of you.