Folks,
I've been using the XMods charger(s) for quite some time now with a bunch of AAA NimH Batteries for all of my Zaps stuff... quite nice not having to buy new batteries all of the time -
One question/gripe/rant/complaint: Has anyone else had problems with defective XMods chargers, or where the charger(s) simply quits operating? I've had so many problems with these blasted things that I want to scream <aarrgghh>!
I've purchased two (or three?) replacements throughout the years as well as returning several that I had problems with, and each one of them has had relatively quite little use before it died. I always take care of my stuff (so the problem is not that it's tossed around or abused and such). The previous charger was out of warranty, and after calling RS customer service they agreed to allow me to exchange it at my local RS.
Here was a letter that I included with the previous charger (per request from RS customer service):
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To whom it may concern,
(Re: My conversation with Karel (1-800-THE-SHACK - extension 58434) in the Radio Shack Customer Service department on Thursday July 28, 2005 3:00pm EDT)
A brief history of the three units in question:
The first unit developed a problem where the AC power prongs would not make reliable contact inside the unit. It appeared that the spring steel used inside the unit (that makes contact with the exterior prongs) was the culprit, as many times the unit would not power up when initially plugged in without wiggling it back and forth in the house AC power socket. This unit lasted approximately five to six months before it would not power up anymore, and was used approximately a total of twelve times.
The second unit developed a problem where the metal spring-loaded sliders that are used for the battery holders would not make a reliable contact internally. When the slider was in the closed position (no-battery position) the two contacts would make a connection, but when a battery was installed in any of three specific holders (top left, top right, bottom left) it would not make contact (which resulted in the indicator LED on the front of the unit to display red).
Upon further investigation of this unit in question, it appeared that the tiny springs inside the unit that are supposed to make a contact between the metal sliders and the smaller low-profile internal PC board had worn out. This unit lasted five months, and as above, was used approximately a total of twelve times.
The last unit (this one that I am currently returning) was purchased in January of this year (2005), and was used approximately a total of nine times. The unit was packed up during a house move (from Miami, Florida to my new location of Crystal River, Florida), and I recently unpacked it to recharge all of my NimH batteries.
The charging of the first two sets of four AAA batteries was successful, but the next set of two AAA batteries is where the current problem developed. The charging cycle began properly (with the LED steadily blinking green), and I temporarily left the room. When I came back into the room (approximately two hours later) the LED was bright red (supposedly indicating a bad connection between the batteries and and battery contacts), in which case the unit is supposed to cease charging. Instead, both batteries and the unit itself were *extremely* hot (indicating that the unit did not stop the charging cycle), which is what caused the damage to the top-left battery holder of the unit (due to the battery leaking when it overheated), as well as causing the product label to come unglued and fall off.
Note that these two particular batteries that I was attempting to charge were in top condition, and were not defective. I was even able to use/test the one that leaked after it overheated, and it even took a charge using another battery charger (as well as the other battery that did not leak). Of course, I cannot use the first battery in question anymore, as the case itself is damaged due to the leaking when it overheated.
Currently, the LED on the unit remains bright red when installing a battery in the top-left holder, and many times does nothing at all when first powered up.
Note that in all of the above, relatively new and "healthy" Radio Shack AAA NimH batteries were used, namely the batteries that shipped with the units. I have confirmed that the batteries themselves are in good condition and not defective, but the above problems originated from the charger unit itself.
Anyhow, I hope this helps troubleshoot this ongoing problem, and helps increase the final shipping quality of the unit.
Thank you for your time and help, and a big "thanks" to Karel in the Radio Shack Customer Service department for her assistance!
Sincerely,
Richard F. Nagel
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***GUESS WHAT***???
The replacement that I exchanged back in July just crapped out! No lights come on/flash on the unit or anything, it simply compeletely died. I used it a total of ***THREE TIMES*** over the course of the past two and a half months.
Luckily when I exchanged the previous one, they printed out a new receipt for the new one, and thankfully it was still covered under the 90 day RS warranty. Anyhow, I dunno what's up with these chargers, but I've had a helluva time with them... as well as purchasing several *additional* ones to replace ones that had died in a relatively short period of time, yet were out of the warranty replacement period <aarrgghh!>.
I've been tossing around the idea of purchasing a charger made by Eveready (they sell regular slow chargers, quick chargers, as well as 15 minute NimH battery chargers, but the price is upwards of $30 to $40.
„Weeds„
Linear Mode
