Maestro will not run on battery power

Cal N3CAL

My Maestro has just been returned to me after repair at
Flex (it was dead on v 1.8.3 upgrade).  Since it's return I've used it on external 12v power for over a
week without any issues but my first attempt to run using USB battery power was this weekend and to my surprise it will not run on battery power! 

On battery power when the Maestro first connects to my Flex 6500 the following message appears on the Maestro screen : "Low power. plug in Maestro or swap battery. shutting down in 2:00 "  After the 2 minute countdown the Maestro powers off on it's own. I've tried both Mogix (10400 mAh) and Polanfo (12000 mAh) suggested batteries. I've tried a total of 5 different batteries, all of which are new and have been cycled and fully charged with the same result!

Since it's return from Flex I did successfully upgrade the software to v 1.8.4.18   I've created another help desk ticket and will wait for Flex to answer on Monday.  In the mean time I'll run it on 12v external power.   I'm wondering if the USB cable could have come loose inside the Maestro during shipping?  

Cal/N3CAL

Bob G W1GLV

Cal, I get that message after about 2 minutes after start up on a Mogix battery. I can dismiss it and the Maestro keeps going. My message has an OK button to dismiss it.

David Decoons, wo2x

Hi Cal,

Wondering if you have a low charge on the internal battery. Connect the Maestro to external power and let it sit off for 15 minutes then try and power it off the battery pack. You should have a battery indicator to the right of the WiFi signal icon. This is the charge indicator for the internal pack.

Dave wo2x

Cal N3CAL

@ Bob,   I'm unable to dismiss this error.  There is no OK button,  the Maestro just shuts down at the end of the 2 min countdown...

@ Dave,  It's odd,  if you look at the picture I posted above you will see there is NO battery indicator displayed and yes there is a battery connected to it??  My Maestro has been on external 12V shack power at all times so I would assume the internal battery should be fully charged.  When it's plugged into external 12v power there is a "plug" icon there. 

Cal/N3CAL

David Decoons, wo2x

Do you see multiple versions available?

WX7Y

make sure your plugged into the 2.1A USB Jack on the Batteries, I know I ran into this having the Maestro plugged into the 1A USB Jack.
73's
Bret
WX7Y

Cal N3CAL

@ David,  what do you mean by "multiple versions"? 

@ Bret,  the Mogix (10400 mAh) has 2.1A and 2.5 A USB connections.  I've been plugging into the 2.5 A with them.  On the Polanfo (12000 mAh) batteries I've been using the 2.1 A plugs..

Cal/N3CAL

Stan VA7NF

Sounds like the battery (USB) cable has become disconnected - while being serviced or during shipment.  Tim, other than pulling the cable, how can a connection be confirmed?

David Decoons, wo2x

After choosing the radio it shows you the software version. The Maestro is capable of storing older versions. I do not know if your unit has an older version that you can load in case it is an OS issue.

Cal N3CAL

Dave,  yes my Maestro shows the original 2 versions (v 1.7) of Maestro software plus v 1.8.4.  Tim previously suggested I should not go back to the earlier versions because they would not have the code that would prevent the Maestro from getting stuck in the CPU load mode.   I think it's best I stay at v 1.8.4 for now but thanks for all your suggestions. 

Cal/N3CAL

k3Tim

Agree with Stan, sounds as it the USB cable has become disconnected internally. 

Tim

Robert -- N5IKD

Some of the USB batteries require you to press a button to activate the USB power.

David Decoons, wo2x

Tim had stated not to downgrade from 1.8.3 since it may brick. 1.8.4 has code that is supposed to prevent that from happening. At this point wait and see what Flex says tomorrow. Dave

N9VC

Hi,

I may be off base here and not sure it pertains
to the Maestro. A lot of portable equipment that
can be powered either by battery, or external
power, usually will disconnect the internal battery
when the power plug is inserted. Maybe the coaxial
power jack is not closing the circuit when the
external power plug is removed. The reasons could
be numerous and the only way would be to remove
the cover (which I am not advocating) and check
the power jack. I had this happen once with a
portable radio which was my own abusive fault.
Again it depends on the circuitry which may not
apply here. I am sure the Flex team can quickly
discount this theory if it is wrong. Good luck.

73, Jim N9VC

Cal N3CAL

Thanks to all who chimed in for suggestions!  They are all equally appreciated!  Flex has responded to my Help Desk ticket and sadly the Maestro is on it's way back to Austin for repair again.  73

Cal/N3CAL
 

[Deleted User]

They ought to just send you another one for all the issues you had