DOA Neptune SB1 Tiger Thunder Seawolf - need some help

[tifosi12]

A while ago I bought a Neptune SB-1 and it was of course a DOA. So I bought recently another Neptune SB-1, which claims to be in good condition but seems to be the same DOA.

I did replace the battery although in my latest purchase it still had a good 11.5V. Anyhow, when I switch either boat on, absolutely nothing happens. So I measured the voltage going through the electronics in the front towards the electronics in the middle. Basically just unplugged and measure at the plug and discovered that zero voltage is coming through. And that's the case with both boats.

So am I missing here something? I thought that all I had to do was turn the switch at the bottom (one is not used but just to be on the safe side I switched both) and there should be some voltage flowing?

Or is it possible that both of these power-on electronic boards in the front are toast? If so, do I care? Can I just wire the switch directly to the cable bypassing that board (which I believe is for charging the battery and powering the video camera)? Is there possibly a fuse involved that I don't know of?

Any help appreciated.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

A while ago I bought a Neptune SB-1 and it was of course a DOA. So I bought recently another Neptune SB-1, which claims to be in good condition but seems to be the same DOA.

I did replace the battery although in my latest purchase it still had a good 11.5V. Anyhow, when I switch either boat on, absolutely nothing happens. So I measured the voltage going through the electronics in the front towards the electronics in the middle. Basically just unplugged and measure at the plug and discovered that zero voltage is coming through. And that's the case with both boats.

So am I missing here something? I thought that all I had to do was turn the switch at the bottom (one is not used but just to be on the safe side I switched both) and there should be some voltage flowing?

Or is it possible that both of these power-on electronic boards in the front are toast? If so, do I care? Can I just wire the switch directly to the cable bypassing that board (which I believe is for charging the battery and powering the video camera)? Is there possibly a fuse involved that I don't know of?

Any help appreciated.

Is. The. Battery. Charged?

[tifosi12]

Is. The. Battery. Charged?

Yes, brand new 12V.

But that's not my point: I'm stunned that zero voltage comes through the cables of the front electronics when the battery is attached and the switch is flipped.

And that's the case for both boats. So either both have a faulty front electronics board or I am missing something fundamental.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Yes, brand new 12V.

But that's not my point: I'm stunned that zero voltage comes through the cables of the front electronics when the battery is attached and the switch is flipped.

And that's the case for both boats. So either both have a faulty front electronics board or I am missing something fundamental.

And you have power at the plug (battery side) that connects to the board?

[tifosi12]

And you have power at the plug (battery side) that connects to the board?

Yes. In fact I did a little test: I connected the battery directly to the electronics in the center part of the ship thus bypassing the electronic board in the front with the on/off switch and things came to life (jittering servos etc, but that was probably down to the transmitter not operating). So something is stopping the flow of electricity in the front board.

Normally I would say that board is toast, lets replace it. But I have the exact problem on both ships, which makes me wonder whether I'm doing something wrong. I followed the manual and there is nothing else involved but throwing the on/off switch. So I am at a loss.

We have several Neptune SB1 captains on here, did any of you guys ever have a problem like that with your boats? RCSubGuy you had a few of these?

If I were to replace the front electronics board, do I need to have the voltage going to the center changed? Does that board act like a transformer converting the 12V to something smaller?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Yes. In fact I did a little test: I connected the battery directly to the electronics in the center part of the ship thus bypassing the electronic board in the front with the on/off switch and things came to life (jittering servos etc, but that was probably down to the transmitter not operating). So something is stopping the flow of electricity in the front board.

Normally I would say that board is toast, lets replace it. But I have the exact problem on both ships, which makes me wonder whether I'm doing something wrong. I followed the manual and there is nothing else involved but throwing the on/off switch. So I am at a loss.

We have several Neptune SB1 captains on here, did any of you guys ever have a problem like that with your boats? RCSubGuy you had a few of these?

If I were to replace the front electronics board, do I need to have the voltage going to the center changed? Does that board act like a transformer converting the 12V to something smaller?

At the front end (power supply/power distribution/polarity protection is probably a polarity protecting diode. Short across that item and see if the board comes to life.

David

[tifosi12]

At the front end (power supply/power distribution/polarity protection is probably a polarity protecting diode. Short across that item and see if the board comes to life.

David

Ok, thanks. That's the kind of stuff I was looking for. Will check that out.

Good chance that there is such a thing since this board also has 2 connectors to directly charge the battery.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Ok, thanks. That's the kind of stuff I was looking for. Will check that out.

Good chance that there is such a thing since this board also has 2 connectors to directly charge the battery.

Sorry if I came off a bit *******y with my first recommendation, but good trouble shooting starts with the most likely failure point and proceeding down the difficulty list from there. Navy trained.

[tifosi12]

Sorry if I came off a bit *******y with my first recommendation, but good trouble shooting starts with the most likely failure point and proceeding down the difficulty list from there. Navy trained.

No worries. I'm glad you answered and this thread didn't just end up in the usual echo chamber. And yes, batteries are usually the first culprit.

Tomorrow I'll have time to investigate more. I'm hoping to find that diode or something that inhibits the electricity. I might end up continuity checking every single soldering joint on that board. Odd.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

[QUOTE=tifosi12;n182402]

No worries. I'm glad you answered and this thread didn't just end up in the usual echo chamber. And yes, batteries are usually the first culprit.

Tomorrow I'll have time to investigate more. I'm hoping to find that diode or something that inhibits the electricity. I might end up continuity checking every single soldering joint on that board. taught/QUOTE]

Here's an old trick a vacuum-tube guy taught me: (In those days, rubber gloves were your friend as there was a lot of high-voltage stuff in there). You energize the board/frame, grip its edges and twist it and bang it around and look for fluctuation in total current draw -- this would indicate cold solder joints as the Ampere meter spiked about.

[Das Boot]

I’m sure this is a silly question, but have you checked the fuse?

[tifosi12]

I’m sure this is a silly question, but have you checked the fuse?

You just beat me to it: Upon further inspection I discovered that fuse holder and started to go through the assembly instructions. Sure enough that's a fuse holder (but no fuse). Just ordered a kit of fuses. The manual doesn't mention what kind (Amps) it should be. Do you know?

Would have been nice if they had mentioned that somewhere. Oh well.

PS: I'm glad I posted this under the "Silly newbies questions". I'm sure there will be more as I try to revive these two boats.
PPS: Thanks for chiming in. Very glad to have some experienced folks on this thread. I know I'd be lost without you guys.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

You just beat me to it: Upon further inspection I discovered that fuse holder and started to go through the assembly instructions. Sure enough that's a fuse holder (but no fuse). Just ordered a kit of fuses. The manual doesn't mention what kind (Amps) it should be. Do you know?

Would have been nice if they had mentioned that somewhere. Oh well.

PS: I'm glad I posted this under the "Silly newbies questions". I'm sure there will be more as I try to revive these two boats.
PPS: Thanks for chiming in. Very glad to have some experienced folks on this thread. I know I'd be lost without you guys.

Hey, at one point WE ALL were the new-guy dumb-ass and we progressed because 'those who came before us' passed on what they learned. Welcome to the Tribe.

David

[Das Boot]

You just beat me to it: Upon further inspection I discovered that fuse holder and started to go through the assembly instructions. Sure enough that's a fuse holder (but no fuse). Just ordered a kit of fuses. The manual doesn't mention what kind (Amps) it should be. Do you know?
.

15 amps if memory serves.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Good call, Casey!