We are organizing a water polo tournament in Porec, Croatia, in conjunction with the Porečki Delfin swimming event. The event will take place on the open sea, and we expect thousands of participants. My task (and my passion) is to capture videos and photos of the event to document every important moment. I’ll be bringing various equipment with me, including the Andoer L4 Pro mini dolly. This small, motorized device allows me to showcase the location from very interesting angles and create dynamic, creative shots. I chose the Andoer mini dolly because it’s compact and portable, yet it delivers high-quality footage.
However, during the preparations, I encountered an unexpected problem. The device, which uses a micro USB connector for charging, suddenly stopped charging properly. After checking the basic components—charging cable, charger, and socket—everything seemed fine, but the device still wasn’t receiving power. Since the mini dolly plays a critical role in capturing the upcoming event, I immediately set out to solve the problem.
The Starting Point: An Unidentified Charging Problem
When the charging issue arose, the first step was to rule out external factors: I checked the charging cable, the charger’s condition, and whether the connector was properly connected. Since these were all in order, I decided to take a closer look at the micro USB connector and the circuit.
Problem Localization: Testing and Analysis
To figure out why the charging wasn’t working, I first desoldered the lithium-ion battery from the circuit to completely power down the device. This was particularly important because lithium-ion batteries are sensitive and can be potentially hazardous if not handled correctly. This step allowed me to safely conduct resistance measurements on the micro USB connector pins and the PCB. Since my test probes were too large to measure directly on the micro USB pins, I looked for suitable test points on the PCB where I could safely access the necessary connections.
As I progressed with the measurements, I was able to confirm that there was no short circuit or break between the contacts, and the grounding was functioning properly. However, the source of the problem was likely one of the solder joints, where a contact issue had occurred. I was able to temporarily fix this with a resoldering, but it’s very likely that the micro USB connector will need to be completely replaced to prevent the problem from recurring. To do this, I’ll need to acquire some specialized tools, such as a hot air gun, magnifying glasses, alcohol, and flux.
Conclusion: The Importance of Small Details
This experience reminded me that seemingly simple technological solutions, like a micro USB connector, can have hidden complexities. Solving a small problem can sometimes require several steps and thorough investigation to identify the root cause.
