We saved our 2013 DS for the competition robot and when we tried to power it up, it was totally dead to the world (no lights at all). Swap it with a previous years DS and good to go.
Does anyone know if there is any warranty on these ? They appear to be made by a company called Total Electronics.
If it was your kit sidecar, e-mail [email protected].
The sidecar is one of the simpler electronic items FRC teams use. Assuming you’ve connected the power and DB-37 cable properly, open it up and see if anything looks blown. Here’s the schematic to help: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/DSC%20Schematic%20v7.pdf
If it doesn’t light up at all, start at the power connector and work your way out.
Did it ever work or is this the first time you’ve tried?
First time out of the bag. 12v on the connector and none of the status lights light up. Its dead. Don’t want to open it until I know about warranty.
Chances are no warranty as it was not reported in the few day days period after the kickoff.
Thanks for link to schematics. If there is no warranty or they authorize me to open it up, I’ll see what I can figure out. I’m a EE.
Since you’re outside the Kit of Parts window, I say go for it. AndyMark only has a 30 day warranty anyway.
Post photos of the internals as well. Others may be able to help you.
Emailed FIRST - don’t expect much.
Its hard to believe ALL the regulators with LEDs are not working. Does anyone know if the board has reverse polarity protection ?
Our installer team has installed probably a dozen of these before but maybe…
It does. The only components that are common to all three indicator lights are the power connector and the reverse polarity FET.
You should be able to smell the problem if the FET is the root cause. This part can be replaced by someone with moderate soldering experience and a nice hot iron.
I’d be surprised if it is the power connector - you would be able to see damage there.
There could be a short across the VBATT rail, but you would hear the PD breakers clicking.
Thanks for pointing that out. Sorry I should have seen that.
Might as well ask, can you think of anything else a student could do wrong to completely knock out the DS on first power up ?
Sure looks like it would be the fet. I connected the DS to a lab powersupply and the DS was drawing no current so no signs of shorts.
I just hope I don’t have to drive for 2 hours or pay $20 brokerage + shipping fees to get another fet.
The last time I sent back a $15 sensor to be repaired for free, I got a $70 brokerage fee 
*http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1240700#post1240700
Are these two problems related?
I’d pull a multimeter and start probing. There is nothing subtle that can create this type of fault condition. Let us know when you find it!
Outcome: Finally openned DSC after contacting manufacturer. Q1 (reverse polarity protection) FET has exploded. Cause unknown.
Anyone know what a part on page 4 of schematics called
“CB1
PD Breaker Indicator Squib” is ?
Circuit Breaker ? Permanent ? What is a Squib ?
Note schematics posted are one revision behind pcb version. There is something labelled CB2 on it.