Customer:
I purchased an Inkplate 6Plus and like it except it doesn’t charge batteries. I bought a Lithium ion battery and it worked, but didn’t charge. I figured it was a bad battery, so I got another one and the same thing is happening.
The battery will work until it is dead and then it won’t charge. I can’t use the device unless it’s plugged in.
Originally submitted via email support on 20 September 2022. Migrated to the forum for community visibility.
Soldered Support:
There is a possibility that you have burned your charger. Did you connect the battery correctly the first time? If you didn’t, you have probably burned your charger.
Customer:
I don’t believe so, but if so how do I test this and rectify it? Can I remove and resolder a new charger? I see the PCB diagram and I have a soldering iron. Which component should I purchase?
Soldered Support:
Without connecting the battery, you can check the voltage on the battery connector pads and you should have around 4.11 V. That is battery charger voltage output, but even if you have that voltage, there is the possibility that the charger is not providing enough charging current.
The other safest way is to connect the battery and measure the voltage on those pads, then after like 1 hour, try to measure the battery voltage again. If it is less than your first measurement, the charger is not working. If it is higher, your charger is working.
Yes, you can remove and solder a new charger. The part number is MCP73831T. Be careful to not heat the PCB too much because e-paper is very sensitive to temperature and high temperatures can damage it.