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Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 24th, 2012, 6:37 pm
by mancity
Does anybody know if there are any guides or people who can fix the Excel's DC socket?

Mine broke after about 2 hours of me buying it, and I didn't want to return it because it was off Amazon and too much hassle.

I have been using the USB to charge it, but it's annoying me now.

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 24th, 2012, 7:09 pm
by Fonefixer
if i get an hour spare tomorrow ill take mine apart and give you some clues. is the centre pin loose? if so it may have ripped the connection pad from the mainboard. if that is the case you will have to trace the tracks and solder some jumper leads on with an external socket.

ill try and put some pics up tomorrow.

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 24th, 2012, 7:14 pm
by Mitre
mine is on its last legs have to fold back the cable now to charge as its loose
first gen scroll was the same

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 25th, 2012, 10:57 am
by mancity
Nothing looks or feels wrong with the DC socket, but it's definitely not the adapter as I got SO to send me a new one.

It wont charge with the adapter in at any angle.

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 25th, 2012, 1:07 pm
by Fonefixer
Ok.... Ive had mine apart (under 5 mins) and I think I know what the problem is going to be.....

The DC socket is surface-mounted with no anchor points. The socket itself is a sealed unit, but it may be possible to anchor it down with glue / wax. The camera I took these photos with is crap, ill take the Excel into work next week, strip it and put it under a proper camera.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT RESPONSIBLE if you break your Scroll by following the below procedure

If you want to have a go yourself, heres what to do:

1) TAKE YOUR TIME!
2) Where the connectors are, you will see two small phillips screws, remove them.
3) Place the Excell on a flat surface, face down on soft material (towell etc)
4) Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, ease it between the white rear plastic cover and the sides GENTLY. Twist the driver downwards and the rear cover will pop off.
5) Gently release the cover, dont pull it up hard as the speaker is glued to the rear cover and connected to the main board by two thin wires.
6) Remove the visible screws and connectors from the main board and turn it over. You can then get to the DC socket to reheat the joints / glue it down.
7) If the socket connector has ripped the solder pad off the board it is likely your Scroll is ruined unless you can trace the track, expose it and solder a wire in place to feed the sockets.
8) Reassembly is reverse of removal

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SAM_0449.JPG

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 25th, 2012, 2:05 pm
by Trashcooky
Nice work FF - nice to see the pictures even if they are a bit fuzzy.
I see your battery is rated at 3,600 mAH - (this is an Excel?) my handook says 3,400 mAH and SO are curently stating 4,200mAH.
Miight be interesting to see what others have got if/when they need to open them up. ;)

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 25th, 2012, 2:20 pm
by Fonefixer
Hi TC,

Thanks for pointing out about the battery. I'll ping an email to Paul from SO about it and see what transpires. As you say, the website clearly states 4200mA (I just checked the handbook, it does state 3400mA)

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 25th, 2012, 4:39 pm
by Fonefixer
email sent.

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 25th, 2012, 10:58 pm
by blueeagle69
@Fonefixer
Great post. When I get the nerve I may try this to clean the dust from under my screen.
It's only a bit, but it's annoying. Can I get at the screen by removing visible screws and turning it over :-)

Sent from my Scroll Excel/Nexus S using Tapatalk.

Re: Fix the DC Socket

PostPosted: February 26th, 2012, 5:17 am
by Fonefixer
You will have to remove all the screws and the Chinese equivalent of duct tape they seem to like using a lot. My advice would be to take your time and watch the wires, they break easily - especially the wifi aerial cxn. I resoldered mine coz the original was bodged.