Faulty Varta Power Bank - Can I FIX It?

I volunteer at our local Repair Cafe, and someone brought in a faulty Varta power bank for us to look at. We couldn't fix it on the day so I brought it home to try and repair it at home. Can we fix it?
I'm not an expert, but I do enjoy trying to fix things.
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Some of the tools that I use:
The Famous Blue Mat: amzn.to/47bPNGK
170 piece electronics tool kit (security bits): amzn.to/3FGLWpr
SMD Tweezer set: amzn.to/3t9GlW4
Aixun T3A Soldering Station: amzn.to/3u2SBri
Infiray P2 Pro Thermal Camera: amzn.to/47c05Xm
Soldering Flux: amzn.to/3Qn8Yq7
Low Melt Solder: amzn.to/3QICZ5r : Cheaper Alternative amzn.to/3G4L3XK
Grinding pen: amzn.to/3QCHE7v
Component Tester: amzn.to/46UcHm6 alternative (slightly cheaper) amzn.to/49yZSzJ
Overhead Camera Mount I Use: amzn.to/3tX8Ar4
Microscope Light (I use on my Trinocular): amzn.to/3FEAPgy
AD409 Pro Microscope 10" Screen: amzn.to/3G0CI7P
Extra Long Torx Drivers(used on Milwaukee radio): amzn.to/40siUU3
DC Power Adapter plugs 38 PCS: amzn.to/49lCUMm
USB Power Meter Tester: amzn.to/47VOEn9
#electronics #electronicsrepair #repair
Power bank repair
Faulty power bank
Power bank troubleshooting
How to repair a power bank

[@iwantagoodnameplease]

Ordering random chips from China, they have different markings and you go and stick it in a battery protection circuit? You're a braver man than I am! :D Glad you didn't explode.

[@BuyitFixit]

I didn't realise that the markings were different as it was not listed as a different version, and even the photo showed the part that I needed. It was only after fitting it that I noticed the T suffix. Normally a different part would have a totally different number not just adding a T at the end. I've used parts before where the number hasn't been exactly the same but the part function is the same. Yes, I too am glad I didn't explode 😂😂😂😂👍

[@ProximoNovio]

Most people who work with electronics are a bunch of pu*****. So i don't doubt you.

[@sleeplessrazi]

There are many chips now which differs in function with a different suffix at the end, i encounter these regularly

[@oliverer3]

Injoinic actually make quite good powerbank and usb management ICs they even have English datasheets for a good deal of them. Still a terrible idea to mix and match though xD

[@fredwooding599]

I love how you think "out of the box" Keep it up. We all learn something new every video.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Fred 👍

[@waynesharp1690]

Most people would just throw things like this away. Great seeing them being repaired and saved from landfill 👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, it was probably not economical to repair, but it's a good feeling when you repair something and we'll have another happy "repair cafe" customer! Have a great new year👍

[@TheElectronicDilettante]

It’s crazy how satisfying it is to find the faulty component on a PCB. Well done!! You make most of the other repair channels look remedial.

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, it is satisfying when you eventually get something working 👍I'm not sure if you saw some of my other work such as the recent AVerMedia device I repaired which was a bit more out of the ordinary, or the FLIR thermal camera, or the solar inverter I repaired, then in a subsequent video had to reverse engineer the service password algorithm and write my own tool to get into it 😂😂👍

[@neiltheplayer]

Once again, just brilliant

[@BuyitFixit]

Cheers mate 👍

[@nigelholland24]

I also volunteer at the repair cafe at Peterborough. Love it

[@BuyitFixit]

Nice 👍yes we have some good people all with a variety of different skills to offer, from woodworking to sewing, and electronics of course 🙂

[@stoicgreg]

Great content like this takes time and perseverance, I appreciate it. All the best for the new year.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Gregory, all the best to you too!

[@smbrob]

That shows you that one letter makes all the difference. Great fix. 👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍Yes indeed! One letter.

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi well done keep 'em coming please, very enjoyable with very interesting info. From Nr Chester UK.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Chris 👍

[@herensugue]

Separate cells, that's nice for a change. Seems I always keep finding Li-Po's inside, really hate those.

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, I'm not a fan on pouch type cells either.

[@Georgesanderson1965]

Chapeau for your patience, Mick as always. You keep it calm, I admire you for that. Happy new year from the Netherlands!

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks and happy new year to you too!

[@wisher21uk]

Mick you have patience of a saint, I think most people including me would of threw in the bin… Nice work and a great fix yet again 10/10 😊

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Gary 👍hopefully your Nintendo switch is still working well 🙂

[@Kevin-mp5of]

*would have

[@Auriflamme]

@@Kevin-mp5of "would of" is a regional variant. You may not like it, but that doesn't make it wrong. Language is usage, not prescription.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

@Auriflamme No. It’s wrong and I don’t like it.

[@wisher21uk]

@@BuyitFixit it is Mick thank you 😊

[@andymouse]

I have a power bank almost exactly like this but 2 cells instead of 3 on my bench now with exactly the same symptoms ! Lol !....cheers.

[@BuyitFixit]

Nice! Well hopefully you've got some measurements and stuff to work from now which might make it easier to repair 🙂

[@user-bd1pk1rc1x]

Obviously did the chip twice, just for me so I could watch the solder :-) Hope you have a great Year.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍hope you have a great year too 🙂

[@jburdman7]

Those three cells would've went in my parts bin and the board on the scrap pile. You are braver than I. Glad you got it working

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍

[@mattsmalley5780]

Amazing work on the diagnostics as always Mick. Great fix. Love watching your thought process how you work through the board. Happy new year to yourself and family

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Matt 👍

[@andrew_koala2974]

What thought process ? He admitted in a sworn statement that he does not think. pay attention to what you are listening to. So much so - I has to bring it to his attention as he is not conscious of it. Now in your reply define what conscious actually means and how is this word derived and where from. I can guarantee that you were programmed to be a ZOMBIE and do not realize it. ZOMBIES have eyes but cannot see - ears and cannot hear. The GOVERNMENT education system did it to you without your knowledge or awareness - and now you are trapped in the ZOMBIE world. Would you like a test that will prove it ? It may well embarrass you - however you will learn from it.. So to avoid any embarrassment - your homework project is to explain why a name that sounds like yours is written on 'certain kinds' of DOCK-UMENTS in the ALL CAPS iteration - explain what type of DOCK-UMENTS then - visit a CEMETERY and pay attention to what is written on the grave stone - and what do you notice. Explain what you are looking at and why is it so. If you are super smart - you will figure it out.

[@thetraindriver01]

Fantastic fix, great perseverance on your part, onto the next one 😊👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks mate 👍much appreciated 🙂

[@terrym1065]

Months later and it's a Happy New Year! Fixed...Yes! Nice job sir, well done. Enjoy!

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍Happy new year to you too!

[@frankiejkh1]

Nice little fix there

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍

[@powertoolsrepair]

Good video, I appreciate your knowledge 👍 Wish to know that much about electronics repair like as know

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍Have a great new year!🙂

[@powertoolsrepair]

@@BuyitFixit Thank you, have a great new year! 🤓

[@Mymatevince]

Nicely done Mick.

[@BuyitFixit]

Cheers Vince! Hope you and family have a great new year!

[@Mymatevince]

@@BuyitFixit Thanks Mick, you too!

[@andrew_koala2974]

The most frustrating part would be discovering that the first seller supplied an incorrect CHIP - and it is likely that the seller was not aware of the subtle difference. You would have been entitled to a refund - and deserving of such given the time expended in waiting and replace and remove chip that is not of the correct type. One should understand that TIME is most valuable - more valuable than money. Money can be replaced ---- but TIME ? Once it's gone - you can NEVER get it back. Gave you a 👍 for your effort. From your accent - I am estimating that you are in the MIDLANDS perhaps North MIDLANDS near YORK Shire. From where the Dutchess makes a comfortable living from the land Taxes. No one actually owns the land they live on unless one holds an ALLODIAL Title.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks for the 👍Yes I probably would have been entitled to a refund but unfortunately by the time I got round to repairing it and noticed the problem 15 day window had already closed. My accent is Northeastern UK usually found in Newcatle / South Shields area, although I'm now living in the North West of England.

[@maicod]

congratulations with the success after all. it's the fun of repairing as buying the ICs and the repair time cost more than a new one. My heatplate for frying pieces of meat on the table went into its box in working condition and when I wanted to use it on Christmas it didn't work (no flash or noise or breaker tripped, just nothing). I measured the heating coil and it has a resistance of 35 Ohm so it's not broken somewhere. In the side of the pan there's a small power box with a dial for the temperature that you can pull out. It has a thick metal pin connected to the bimetallic strip in the powerbox and the other end sticking deep into the pan so it can measure the temperature. I opened it up. The bimetallic strip works fine and connects and disconnects when I turn the dial from it's lowest position to a higher setting. I also measured if the positive prong of the Euro Plug conducts through to the positive out and it does when the bimetallic strip is pressing to the contact. There's a small incandescent lamp and does not light, could it be used as a fuse ? (it seems to be in parallel though) . I now suspect there's a fuse inside the heatshrink sleeving over the neutral wire as there's no conductivity between the negative prong of the Euro plug and the female neutral socket going to the plate. I don't find it easy to cut the heatshrink off and also I'm not sure if what I see is thick enough to hold a fuse under the heat shrink. I'm contemplating on going to the local Repair Cafe (I'm in The Netherlands) but maybe you have an idea ? I can show pictures if you like.

[@BuyitFixit]

It may have a thermal fuse somewhere. The lamp in parallel with the thermostat is usually so it lights up when the device is at the correct temperature.

[@maicod]

@@BuyitFixit yea I was thinking the same. I'm suspecting it's somewhere in the neutral lead as I don't get continuity from the plug's pole to the neutral out.

[@309electronics5]

​@@maicodfun fact a friend of mine had the same problem and it was a thermal fuse that blew. Maybe yours is also blown.

[@maicod]

@@309electronics5 Thanks for replying. yea I think it is but I'm trying to spot where it is though.

[@mattc3385]

Nice troubleshoot, patience, and repair. Happy New Year!

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks, you too!

[@ninaevans4501]

Happy New Year Canny Lad and Family!!!! With Love and Warmest Wishes. From Wayne, Nina, Barbara and Noddy the budgie!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺❤️❤️❤️❤️😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks, hope you all have a great new year too! 🙂👍

[@cajuncoinhunter]

Another one fixed........... I have bought from both of those stores .... No issues , just transistors ,no IC's ..... Good eye on that catch, Bon Annee , Happy New Years Mon Ami...

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Cajun, and happy new year to you too!

[@soylentgreen9492]

Learning so much. Thankyou for these videos!

[@BuyitFixit]

You are so welcome!

[@soylentgreen9492]

@@BuyitFixit I Really appreciate your warm reply, Thank you and may all our repairs be easy!🌞

[@3dsmaxrocks699]

Great work as usual Shame you lost the scope footage. Love seeing that part of repair work.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍yes, I thought I had copied it from the SD card, and because it was so long ago it got formatted when recording other things since.

[@ralphj4012]

Well done. Hopefully, an ecstatic customer, especially as they had got married and had five kids in the interim, ho, ho. Happy New Year to you.

[@BuyitFixit]

😂😂😂Thanks Ralph. Happy new year to you too 🙂

[@599miata]

That was a long one but very interesting none the less. Happy New Year.👍👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks and happy new year too!

[@mikecass8306]

Well done Mick and a happy new year 😀

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Mike. Happy new year to you too!

[@lincolnbrown6824]

Great video we are all learning new techniques here kindly tell us the source of the chips you obtained , happy new year all the best .

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍Happy new year too! I just ordered them on Aliexpress. It's quite good for chips, although I've had counterfeit chips in the past, and the shipping time sometimes is quite long.

[@georgeholme612]

Good video happy new year to you

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks and happy new year to you too!

[@guthi4475]

can u show on your meter what setting and why fault finding...please new guy here

[@BuyitFixit]

Sorry about that, I did a 4 part tutorial on how to test different things with a meter on the channel last year, which may he helpful.

[@JackIT123]

Nice! Did you replace the C5 capacitor with a new one or did you use the old one? At 12:40 it looks like the C5 is cracked, just wondering if that might have been the problem.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍I did replace C5. It measured OK, but I damaged one of the ends on it when I removed it. Have a great new year!

[@jasonputtock4428]

Question, to the end of the video. This UV light. That is for epoxy stuff right.? What is the best way to get RID of this epoxy stuff from the motherboard. I have an old smart phone and they used epoxy on the SMD switch which i had to replace. Get this stuff off is a nightmare. I ended up filing down the epoxy. Cant go to far as there is a resistor or cap under it.

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes the UV light can be used for epoxy but I got it to cure solder mask. Have you tried heating the epoxy with a rework station then picking it away? I've had some success doing that but it depends on the epoxy.

[@jasonputtock4428]

I cant use heat again this is where the switch was. I had to heat the switch apart to get it off the board and the resin remained solid. ughhh.@@BuyitFixit

[@eliasbourozrrrs8585]

Happy New Year,all the best,dear let me ask how can I hack the circuit so I can have 6 volts in the one of the usbs output?

[@BuyitFixit]

I doubt it, all of the regulation seems to be done internally within the IC. You can only set things like the current limiting with resistors. A solution might be to get an adjustable boost converter board from ebay which you could plug into the power bank and boost it up to the 6v or whatever you require 🙂

[@eliasbourozrrrs8585]

@@BuyitFixit thank you dear for your answer,I have bought the upbooster from 5 to 6 volts but it gives the hell of the noise.Recently I have spot a power bank from Ali express that besides the 5 volts it has a regulated adjustable output for voltage and current.Then I realized that may be possible through some resistors in tha power intelligent chip.

[@Lightrunner.]

You lost 2 times your footage😱😱? Nooooooo.. It smells like a conspirancy 😳😳. Ohh man, yes the letters at the parts are cursed🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️ Good work and repair 👍👍👍 Have a good time and Happy NEW Year i wish @all.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks, yes because it was over a couple of months I formatted the camera card as I thought I had all of the footage. That's the problem when using multiple cameras and especially over a couple of month. Hope that you have a great new year too!👍

[@guthi4475]

trying to learn fault finding

[@jasonputtock4428]

I really really wished you would mention what ohms through each resistor. Resistor 010 and so on. I get the 0 version should be max 0.7ohms according to your Mmeter. I am still learning and it is somewhat hard to follow when i have no values to work with. Other than that friend this is great stuff.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks for the feedback. I did a video tutorial on resistors about a year ago, and how to read them perhaps that may help.

[@jasonputtock4428]

That would help thank you.@@BuyitFixit

[@pincus321]

I just repaired a similar solar powered battery the same chip failed, I think users overload the chip at near battery flat causes the chip to fail.

[@BuyitFixit]

Interesting, Thanks for commenting 👍

[@mrv4757]

Hi. I wonder why did you go with 509T and the hassle of adjusting the pcb. You had both 509 and 509T ICs on hand so probably some advantages of 509T over 509? Thanks for the video and happy New Year!

[@BuyitFixit]

I order a 509 but the seller sent the wrong chip. They sent the 509T I didn't realise there was a difference. When I noticed it was different I first thought about adjusting the original circuit as I would have to wait another month to order the new part so I did attempt that, but the realised it was more of a pain than waiting another month for the new chip. The video is split over 3 months, so I didn't have both chips to hand at the time. Hope that clarifies it🙂 Happy new year to you too 👍

[@jonnyduncan7056]

Good spot by you on the wrong Chips sent to you..

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, annoying as it might be, it did make the video slightly more interesting 🙂

[@xtremeink]

Brill video 👍 what camera are you using to record your videos?

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks👍. My main overhead camera is a Sony HDR-CX450 with a 3rd party wired remote. I used to use an old iPhone 6 on my earlier videos.

[@xtremeink]

@@BuyitFixit yep just binge watched allmost all your videos now… ya very talented pal 👌 im looking to get into stuff like this got Most Gear but Zero IdeaZ lol thanks for the info on your camera 👍 look forward to your future videos.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍if you need any more info just ask 🙂

[@xtremeink]

@@BuyitFixit bless you pal 👍

[@tubeDude48]

At the end of that video, that black wire should have been run down the side of the battery, not on top. Small detail I know.

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, I did notice that too after watching it back. It's hard to remember how things went after a couple of months 😂😂😂

[@Kevin-mp5of]

That’s why you take a picture on your phone before you take it apart. That way you have something to reference. Call me a fool…

[@BuyitFixit]

@@Kevin-mp5of Or look back on the video, as that's recording a lot more than a picture on your phone 🙂

[@tubeDude48]

@@Kevin-mp5of -- That's a given. Dah!

[@Kevin-mp5of]

@@BuyitFixit That works if you’re making a KZbin video, but I don’t tend to record myself while I’m at work. Lol

[@gordonemery6949]

Does any know where those little screws go😅

[@BuyitFixit]

I'm sure they evaporate... or it could be aliens!😂😂😂

[@gordonemery6949]

@@BuyitFixit walk around barefoot you'll find them 🤐👍

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Beep beep beep … it’s back…

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes 😂😂 it was from before I turned it off. However I recently turned it back on as I kept forgetting to switch the iron off, and it beeps every 2 or 3 hours to say have a coffee break which it doesn't do with the beep off. Also one time I mustn't have put it back in the holder properly and only noticed because of the temperature display.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Beeping soldering stations and piss poor grammar... that's the problem with this world. 😂

[@BuyitFixit]

@@Kevin-mp5of 😂😂😂😂

[@andrew_koala2974]

01:09 -- You said - and I quote ' I don't think :So the question is : what is preventing you from thinking ? And will you be thinking any time soon ,considering that in order to make a a determination - thinking is a requirement. What kind of dog school dis your mother send you to ? Dis you pay attention when English was being taught - perhaps you learned from the ignorant masses. The solultion: I would recommend you undertake an intensive reading program to better educate yourself - and take a logical approach to formulating your sentences -= choose your words carefully. This is critical to master correct grammatical legal English. Peasant level English is not desirable - why would you accept it ? if you studied at a prestigious school and hold yourself as High-Value. Perhaps you do not value yourself as much. You either THINK or you do not THINK. As I taught my daughter decades ago - You can make your mind like the Library of Congress or like a garbage can. You choose. So build on your potential and Good Luck

[@BuyitFixit]

It's an expression, it's like saying I could kill for a "whatever" it doesn't mean you are actually going to go and commit murder. True my English and grammar may not be perfect, I'm not an English teacher, and I'm not teaching others English or grammar. I'm sure there are plenty of channels already out there that do that. This channel is focused on repairing things, and helping people repair their broken items.

[@kennybacchus1488]

Faulty. Carts. Power. Bank. Can. l. Fix. It.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Same. Comment. Every. Single. Farking. Video.

[@BuyitFixit]

@Kevin-mp5of It's an AI mate, it analyses video titles apparently 😂😂

[@thejackaroo4WDcampingchannel]

You need to refrain from doing that British disease of calling zeros an O. O is a letter and zero or nought is a number...

[@BuyitFixit]

I didn't realise that I had.

[@kaliabisoyi3089]

Sr ip5209ic shopping

[@mustafakaragol9530]

[@BuyitFixit]

👍🙂