Ember Mug - not charging - fixing coaster by replacing pogo pin that don't spring back

[@FendergtrJam]

I ordered 4 new pins my wife's mug is fine and I put a little silicone oil on hers to prevent corrosion of the springs...If you want to charge your mug while you wait for your New pins to come You can take a peice of tin foil put it over one pin and it will charge Quick Fix...Instead of removing all the rubber on the bottom feel in the middle and press then you can see the outline of the screw then I took a razor knife and cut a perfectly round hole to access the screw then soldered my pins easy.

[@KingdomSeeker2023]

I received a complimentary replacement coaster from Ember only to encounter the same issue with the pin after 1 year. Ember needs a better design. But of course they just want you to buy a new one. Thank you for this video. I wish I’d kept my old coaster so that I can repair both myself

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Sorry to hear that. I would say it's design flaw...

[@kozak65]

Thanks for the video! I fixed mine without having to take anything apart. By placing a very small dot of solder on the tip of the shorter pin it works great. Just be careful not to make it too high or it will prevent the other pin from making contact with the cup.

[@clearjr1]

LOL, good shortcut.

[@mleblanc55]

Excellent video! I had the same problem with the outer (GND) pin. However, before breaking the base open, I decided to try swabbing the contacts with isopropyl. I know that you said that you had tried this too, but after I saturated the pins with the alcohol several times, it seems to have released the spring in the contact and the cup once again was charging. But this only worked for a couple of minutes. I then tried some spray contact cleaner (bought it at a local auto store... don't need to buy the expensive stuff): I aimed the spray directly into the contacts, while wearing glasses--it will go everywhere. Two or three spritzes cleaned un-seized the internal springs of the contacts, and my cup is once again charging. I imagine that I'll have to do this periodically. Routine maintenance for an otherwise terrific product.

[@brucenybo1493]

Update: I took my charging coaster apart in accordance with Electronic Noob's video. The outside pin was stuck in the down position. Using a small plyers I raised the pin then crimped the outside sleeve to secure the pin in the upright position. The inside pin worked fine but I didn't want to take the coaster apart a second time, so I crimped the inside pin in the upright position. Then put everything back together. As I was plugging it into the electrical outlet I thought crimping the inside working pin might through off the tolerances and prevent charging of the cup. Thankfully, two fixed pins works just fine and my cup now recharges. Thanks again Electronic Noob.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You are welcome, glad it worked! Thanks for sharing!

[@EvanCalder]

This actually worked for me too. I took some needle nose pliers and gently squeezed around the base of the pin until the pin popped up. It seems to be working properly now. Thanks.

[@callibucci8011]

You are absolutely amazing! I love watching your videos to learn how things work ! Unfortunately I’ll have to buy a new charger plate because I have no experience in soldering… but still, thank you for sharing!

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You are welcome, thank You!

[@bpatter2347]

Ember needs to develop a Magnetic wireless charging interface like most mobile phones of today. This would remove the direct contact circuit requirement. No liquid intrusion / damage

[@Pantone268Plus]

Thanks for this video. My pin stopped springing back a month ago and I sort of made it work. Ember is sending me a new coaster, but I might repair this one to keep at the office instead of spending $40 on a new one.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Good luck!

[@KenWeigand-x4q]

Great video! Instead of taking the coaster apart, I pulled up the pogo pin with a pair of pliers and crimped both of them just enough so that they wouldn't spring down. It seems to work. Interested to see if this fix lasts.

[@hannaholson4069]

I just did this as well and it seems to be working. I did clean the pin with rubbing alcohol first, but my pin wasn't stuck down, the spring was just broken. Currently charging, we'll see how long the fix lasts.

[@johnschantz7116]

Thanks for the excellent repair video. My home Ember quit charging, and I knew some day it would happen. The pin is still springy, but it must have been stuck in the down position too long, or still has some “gank” in it, maybe making the spring too weak? Anyway, I’m glad you made the video, I thought there would be screw/screws holding it together under the rubber…..now I only need to cut out the center to get to the screw head with out messing with the whole rubber pad. I’m sure I will have to repair these pins more than once. Ember should use a charging system like in cell phones or sealed rechargeable toothbrushes. Maybe those passive transformer system can’t supply enough current to recharge the high capacity batteries in the mugs?

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You are welcome, personally I would use QI charge - but engineer who build it - might think about heat issue. You pour hot liquid from top, than You get heater, than battery (that don't like heat) and on bottom You would get wireless coil (that heat up - just check temp on phone wireless charger). I think that might be idea why they just did not want to enclose battery between two devices that emit heat. But maybe it was just done so it will fail ^^. This is kind of device - if You get hook up it's hard to break from it...

[@sanjosejeff]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. Yeah I ordered a Chinese knock off coaster for 32 bucks and it broke faster than the original one. I love the mug but I foresee gettig really good at replacing pogo sticks until maybe someday that improve their coaster design

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You are welcome, sure it should be charged via QI charge - that way could be totally waterproof :)

[@blackfire8455]

I soldered a little blob on top of the recessed pin. Seems to work so far.

[@teriolson201]

I was able to grab mine with some wirecutters and pull it up until it was stuck in the on position, then my mug started charging. Emailed Ember customer support and they are sending a replacement coaster.

[@joshb6243]

Thank you for this comment! I chatted with customer service and they are sending my replacement coaster. I just had to submit a picture of the pins and bottom of the mug.

[@Ameristarrestoration]

Grat video, where do you get the pogo pins at and what size is the US standard size? Thank you

[@wmdeutermann9317]

I bought a srip pack of 6 from DIGI-KEY on 12 Nov. 2021. PN 95.2-3128-1-ND. Cost was incredibly low as I recall, and no shipping charge! I was amazed to say the least. I saved the remaining 5 and lo, I need to repair 2 more today. (We have 4 of these saucers) Seems to always be the ones closer to the edge.

[@JeremyFrasier]

Thanks for the video! I ended up spraying a very little bit of WD40 on the pin and rubbing alcohol. Then i used tweezers and it popped back up. Back up and running now 💪🏾

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Thanks for feedback, glad it work:)

[@terrywaters6186]

I would gladly pay more to have an Ember cup that used inductive charging instead of these failure prone pins.

[@oldgoat6542]

Love my Ember Mug, a gift from my daughter. Coming up on one year. Very disappointed when the pin stuck. Unfortunately, I don't have the tools necessary to make the repair depicted in the video, and don't have the patience to go through the process. Will probably bite the bullet and buy a replacement coaster if it's not covered by warranty.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

To be honest You just need cheapest soldering iron and replacement pins. it will be much cheaper than getting replacement - they will fail - no matter how good care You take - water - tea spilled might get a pass, but tea with honey or coffee - the will get stuck - sooner or later.

[@flashcraft8287]

Excellent demonstration and explanation. Thank you.

[@garybaltazar3340]

How do you remove the base of the mug?, I have a feeling it's not the pins cuz the pins look like they're in a good position, but still not holding a charge. I think it would be the battery inside of the cup. Any fix it for that available??

[@brucenybo1493]

Great explanation, well done camera work. Thank you.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ktaragorn]

Please add aliexpress link and dimensions here, you mention adding it but i dont see it.

[@RicardoMQA]

Thanks for the video! Can you please tell us the name / number of the part in english?

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Hey, It's called "pogo pin".

[@Aryana22Ana11]

Please let me know power of adaptor as my charger burn a month ago

[@KK-ee7iy]

Oh! Sir Would you fixing mine?😂 Thank you showing this.

[@danielshamburger]

Could you add a link to the replacement part? Thank you!

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

At 1:29 - You get exact one that I ordered - dimensions. Just search it on Aliexpress and find cheapest seller - I always do it that way. I try not to post links since I'm not doing any sponsorship and I can get something good and then quality go bad or viewer get scammed - then I don't want be person who will be responsible for vouching for any chines seller.

[@craigroy5317]

Great fix. I have the same issue and tying under warranty first. Thanks !!!

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Sure! it's their duty to send You brand new coaster if it's under warranty!

[@sanjosejeff]

Ok I screen shotted the pogo pin size you ordered. I had a hard time understanding when you said the name of your screwdriver. Would you mind typing the name/model? Thank you Ok I listened again and I think I found it. Xiaomi electric screwdriver which is 50 bucks on Amazon. You said the word “wustigg” though I think and I did not find that one

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Sorry for my rambling, it's called "Wowstick 1F" - that's the name

[@johannesluik6289]

I have an issue with corrosion at the bottom of the mug which sometimes prevents charging. Can this be cleaned off somehow?

[@wmdeutermann9317]

Flitz non abrasive metal polish. Amazing stuff.

[@bjd3707]

The exact video I was looking for! Love the name, auto sub.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Awesome, thank you!

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Nice repair. 👍‍ Surprised they sell those pins, usually it is "Buy a new product" that hacks me off. Either that, or they charge so much for a part it is not worth fixing at the cost of a new part!

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Bob, You mean they use off shelf chines size? To be hones that should be a LAW to use off-shelf component - if it need to be custom - You need provide that part for x years. That would very quickly rule out most of "not repairable" things. On my desk I have adalit charger and there is IC that after googling it's not being found... why for duck sake You need custom IC to charge 1S2P lithium battery...

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@ElectronicNoobBlog The Chinese and the Japanese stop making parts when production finishes! Try getting a part for a MC or a Japanese car a few years after they stop making it!! Electronics are worse, try getting an output transistor for a Japanese CB now, even when they were being made was hard enough, but a few years after models changed, almost impossible to get anything!

[@snabrun]

Hello. Can you tell me where to buy them?

[@cpowell6564]

Excellent Work!

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jrm1290]

Thanks!

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You are welcome!

[@hwkfan7896]

You made it look EASY! NOW LETS SEE HOW I DO! 🤣

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You will do it! for sure!

[@et1016]

After all of the money I spent to purchase this product, it is not acceptable that I have to repair it.

[@hwkfan7896]

Yes, it is a bad design.

[@MakiPavlidis]

Very helpful video - I really appreciate it.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

You are welcome!

[@KingdomSeeker2023]

I like to tinker with electronics. But now I need that tiny torque screw size 🤪

[@nachobn105]

Can I send you base coaster for repair??

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Hey, sorry I don't do repairs - I play only with my own stuff that worst case I can throw out if fail.

[@Ludeo]

Interesting that every video/report I see of "Ember mug not charging" it's always that EXACT pin that fails. Suspect indeed.

[@oneworldawakening]

Very skillful.

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@pxt22]

Nice repair! But every time I watch your videos, I feel the urge to clean the equipment that is shown! :-)

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

There is something in it! When there will be female around - I'm sure You will notice it get more tidy! hahaha

[@pxt22]

@@ElectronicNoobBlog Hahaha, but I don't like females near my equipment! :-) Thank you and keep making these nice videos!

[@Sarie2727]

No consumer should have to be a mechanic. 😮

[@daghultgren]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@jpwalle1]

C’mon..I can’t be the only one that hears it.

[@grandchild2009]

Those Ember mugs are terrible. First of all they are very expensive. I bought several of them as gifts and they all stopped charging. They wound up in the trash in a few months.

[@Pantone268Plus]

I've had mine for nearly a year and it's great. Why would you throw away a product that is months old that has a stated 1 year warranty?

[@ElectronicNoobBlog]

That mug is the best thing that happen to me (while working on computer) - when i'm focused my tea stay warm. Mine also work great for over year & everyday I throw cup into dishwasher (with was not allowed by manual) and they work great. Spending 15 minutes replacing pin after year of everyday use, spilling tea with honey on it - I would say - it lasted more than I expected.