Failing Sure Signal Power Supply

[JockNines]

Just wanted to share my experiences so that others might not waste the hours I have.

The symtoms (I have type/version/model 1 Sure Signals):

1. Light #1 would be solid (constant) - power.
2. Light #2 would flash and then to go solid (constant) - network connected.
3. Light #4 would flash and then the Sure Signal would reset and start over again (over my broadband connection about 25 flashes and this goes solid, when it has a good power supply).

Fortunately I have two Sure Signals and so could swap just about every thing until I worked out what was wrong (it still took about 4 hours of messing around). Eventually I discovered that the problem was the power supply. While it still works (I checked the voltage with a meter) it appears that it no longer has the strength (amps) to fully power the Sure Signal.  I can only assume that once the Sure Signal has finished booting and logging into the Vodafone network that it then starts up the transmitter/reciever part for the mobile phones to use and this is the point at which the power supply could now longer supply the demand put on it.

Whoever made the decision not to embedded a webserver into the Sure Signal so that we can get some sensible feedback from it when the going gets tough made a very poor decision. Seeing a more detailed list of status messages would have made life some much easier and faster to isolate the problem.

Hope this helps.

[Paffman]

Hi,

Question to the VF techies...

I have a SS v2 which was working OK until yesterday morning, when I returned home at 8 am, I found the SS was not on, it only had a very dim red power light on. I tested the power supply and found it to be only producing 4 volts. I had another power supply of the correct voltage/type, tested it and fund it to be producing just over 12 volts. Powered up the SS and it spent most of the morning flashing the two white lights randomly, but with a steady red power light. Then nothing, no lights at all, when tested the power supply was producing nothing. Again I found another compatible power supply, powered up the SS only to fing it doing exactly the same thing - solid red power light and random flashing of the two white lights - no connection. I did a hard reset and left it to get on with it overnight.

When I got up this morning there were no lights at all on the SS and when tested the power supply was dead. Is this a common fault/have you heard of it before? I am very reluctant to buy another new power supply to find that the SS eats that as well. I am also reluctant to pay £100 for a SS3, the SS2 was only £50, so why is the SS3 so much more expensive? Is there any planned work on the signal coverage for the IP6 9** area soon? The ideal fix would be to improve your very poor signal in this area.

At the time I moved to VF you were the only company that supplied a device to fill in for the poor signal. Now there are other options/companies, I will be looking into moving if another company can supply me a device cheaper.

Sorry for the rant, but over the time I have had your SS2 I have had nothing but trouble and I need a mobile phone as I am self employed and the down time is costing me money.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Steve

[Retired-Dave]

Hi Paffman,

This is a totally new one to me. It sounds like either the Sure Signal or the plug socket are faulty and frying something in the power cable.

Have you tried using a working cable in a different plug socket to see if the same thing happens?

If that keeps working, the plug socket or extension lead you're using would be the culprit.

If it still fails or you can't test this, each Sure Signal has a two year warranty. If it's no older than that you can arrange a repair rather than buying a new unit.

If our coverage map doesn't show any pending local improvements, follow step 7 in our network guide and we'll put in a request.

Dave

[Paffman]

Thanks Dave for the input. It was plugged into a 4 gang lead and other stuff (BT Hub, phone) are using it as well. I have a new original power supply coming fingers crossed tomorrow, so will see what happens.

[Paffman]

"follow step 7 in our network guide and we'll put in a request."

Where do I find that Dave?

[Retired-Dave]

Hi Paffman,

I've combined both threads here so we can keep everything in one place and avoid duplication.

Apologies for missing the link. You can find the guide here.

Dave

[Paffman]

Thanks Dave...