Sure Signal 3 Consuming 10W and getting hot.

[abssorb]

I've had a VSS3 for about two weeks and although it's working perfectly, I was concerned that it was getting hot.

For something will will be plugged in 24/7, I was concerned about how much electricity it would use, and was reassured by the specs which say 

Q. What is the typical Sure Signal box’s power consumption?
A. Sure Signal uses a maximum of 20mW, similar consumption to mobile phones.

But 20mW isn't enough to generate the kind of heat this VSS3 is giving out. Using a measuring device for energy consumption, I measured the VSS3 (with nothing using the plug-through facility) and it draws a constant 41mA, which at 240v is 9.84W.  That's nearly 500 times more than spec.

Clearly mine is faulty, but thinking about it - is that spec correct? Would 20mW ever be enough to do what it does?

[GillyJay]

Hi, it was not good. However the SureSignal is only about 18 months old and the latest  model. But as of a couple of months ago, I no longer need to use it as I now have an iphone6s which means I can use Wi-Fi Calling which is much better. Though having said that, it did 'fail' today and was apparently a network issues.

[Bravo]

Yes all three SureSignal V3 units I have owned since 2013 have all eventually died (no lights).

The last one (a replacement) went in for warranty repair yesterday....I took the liberty of packing up the other 2 broken units I had on the shelf and taking them to the VF shop at the same time.

Think I'll fight my corner this time around and insist they are replaced (despite being out of warranty). It's clearly a defect and they aren't fit for purpose or made to last warranty + one month, after which VF just tell you to buy a new one.

A bigger pain all this since my WiFi Calling is now broken too (Apple IOS upgrade)....oh the joys of technology!!!

[gsmsecure]

Bravo

Please ensure that Trading Standards are made aware of all three units plus details of any refusal to replace them.

You have 6 years to bring a small claim for any of these devices if a refund is refused on previously purchased units.

Also,  ensure that the BBC Watchdog programme is informed using links provided below.

[cliff_g]

@abssorb  @bravo

Suggest you also read this

[Bravo]

Many thanks @cliff_g

Very useful and enlightening thread!

[gsmsecure]

And this for details on claiming a free replacement..

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Suresignal-V3-Overheated-Blew-Up-Exploded-Hot-Bu...

[GillyJay]

Thanks for that Bravo

My SureSignal has always been hot, ever since the first day I used it, hence me turning it offat night and when I was out working. It was located in a nice open room with plenty of air circulation but it really did feel quite hot to touch - very worrying. I had to rely on it for about 18 months and in the latter couple of months, it gave me heaps of problems. I could hear people quite well but very few could hear me. Luckily my company upgraded my phone to an iphone 7 and I now use WiFi Calling which is much better.  Thanks for the info though. It was useful.

[Bravo]

So eventually Vodafone came good and replaced all three faulty SureSignal units. It took some calls and chasing up but we got all three replaced in the end.

[Tash]

Thanks for updating us @Bravo - if there's anything else we can help with in the future, please let us know.

[gsmsecure]

Hi

As above.. claim a replacement unit for free.

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Suresignal-V3-Overheated-Blew-Up-Exploded-Hot-Bu...