696 Power/Data Plug Issue

[DanH]

I seem to have a connection problem at the 4-pin power/data plug on my 696. Anyone seen this before?

Looks like the trick is determining if the intermittent connection is in the plug, the socket, or the socket's connection to the motherboard. I suspect the motherboard connection. 696 plugs don't seem to withstand much stress.

Video link below. Watch the serial port #1 input counter on the EFIS screen when my finger moves the plug back and forth.

https://www.danhorton.net/Misc/GPS69..._153720765.mp4

[AlexPeterson]

Dan - I'm no help, but I thought that cord design was awful. It is impossible to pull the plug out of the unit without applying a lot of bending forces at the same time. I used to try to dig it out with a fingernail closer to the location where the friction was, instead of off to the side where one could actually grab.

Anyone nearby have a cord Dan could try? Might be able to eliminate one thing.

Touching each solder joint with a hot iron on the board might be simple to try, if you haven't already.

Good luck -

[DanH]

Popped the case (10 screws, no big deal) to take a look at the power/data's socket connections to the board. I could only access one side without risk, but it looks pretty robust to me...five soldered connections and two plastic locator pins (photo below). Watched the connections with a magnifier while gently prying the socket and could detect no relative movement with the board. Decided not to fool with it any further...no significant electronics experience.

Perhaps some socket wear and resistive debris due to vibration. Other than spray contact cleaner, is there any good way to clean up small sockets?
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[Ralph Inkster]

We had a 696 years ago where the power cord socket was jarred loose of the circuit board. Had a friend resolder the connections but it was problematic in the long run, we opted to replace the unit.

[johnbright]

If it were me, I would reflow those joints unless you have confirmed the problem to be in the plug. The photo is not crystal clear but they look questionable IMO, maybe they were hand soldered at original manufacture.

I have repaired a couple TVs and an automotive environmental control module by reflowing CB solder joints at power devices where solder cracked due to thermal cycling, could be an ROHS thing which is what Ray Allen says about past failures of a couple of their devices.

I don’t think your issue is thermal because it’s not at a power device but maybe reflowing those joints will fix it unless the problem is in the plug.
.

[ob_seven]

Hi DanH,

Well, I never had those plug issues. I have 3 695, and none of them has a problem with the power supply plug.

One possibility : I never tried to power the device from USB, but does that work?

Did any of you identified the plug brand? I searched for a long time, but that looks to be a proprietary design. I have to buy cables for 60$, for a piece of wire and a plug...

Cheers from a 695 lover!

[Ralph Inkster]

Our problem wasn't the plug, but the socket jarred loose from the circuit board.
I didn't have a great amount of love for the plug style either, but that's a different discussion.