a fix for the no longer available battery gen 1

[plbproductions4 0]

I found this while trying to find a battery for my gen 1 robot.

 

http://www.wabbitwanch.net/blog/?p=1130

[_______ 0]

http://store.tronical-components.com/battery-pack-gen-i-for-gibson-robot/

[plbproductions4 0]

Ok, I did it. I decided today was the day to transfer the old battery to new. I bought 2 pair of the batteries, and after cutting the shrink wrap that was around the old batteries being careful not to cut your wire, I de-solder the two wires and the connecting plate on the bottom of the batteries from the assumeingly bad batteries. I re-wrap the new batteries with a short piece of electrical tape and re-soldered. I decided to do a test charge and for about 30-45 seconds I had nothing, no lights (Got extreme nervous at that point). Then it started charging, it took about 30 minutes to get a full charge. It also fix and issue I was having before the batteries completely died. of my guitar cutting out while playing make lowered sound then no sound at all.

 

So the issues I was having before making me suspect the batteries.

 

1. I went to charge my guitar and when I pulled the MCK the blue lights came on and and went into a semi circle rotation, around the control MCK knob and would not stop.

2. Fading in and out guitar. Guitar would stop playing or making sound until I moved switches or pulled the MCK in out several time.

 

cost of material 4 batteries $8.95, shrink tubing $0.75 only because I had to buy a 5 foot second, Home depot, Lowes and most hardware stores carry it. My time to complete the job only because it was the first one, and I took my time, I did 0.45 minutes I am going to do it again to make a YOUTUBE video so be prepared.

 

As a final statement $60 dollars from Tronical (when there in stock) for batteries is crazy.

soldier and solder iron shrink tubing new batteries roughly $6.00 to $10.00 and your back in buisness

 

I will try to do the video this weekend so no one else has to bother paying absorbent prices for a battery. I will be glad to answer any questions you have, But chances are I will be selling my robot to buy a real Gibson, (Gibson this put a sour taste in my mouth) that want depreciate in value.

 

good luck, and hope this works for you also.

[merciful-evans 958]

My time to complete the job only because it was the first one, and I took my time, I did 0.45 minutes I am going to do it again to make a YOUTUBE video so be prepared.

 

 

 

Great idea. This sort of thing is the best use of YOUTUBE.

post up a link when you're done.

[DPT 2]

Just a quick update. Dug out my Dark Fire out after over a year and the battery was completely dead. Oh no! After looking around the web and following the link in post #2 here, I purchased the Workaround Kit to Dusk Tiger Battery Compartment from Tronical.. It comes with the cover that has the battery compartment door, a new battery and a new batter charger. Best of all, the battery is an easily replaceable IA-BP80W type so no more "discontinued" product (for now at least). A couple of caveats on the install:

1) They supply instructions that required some modifications to their backplate. You have to cut off some plastic inside the cover. Not too difficult, but required some effort.

2) Hardest part of the install was moving the CPU to the lower left of the cavity. You have to do that to make room for the recess of the battery compartment on the cover. There was one harness that would not reach so I had to track down some longer wire and rebuild the harness.

 

After a brief charge, the charger light switched from red to green. Moment of truth.

 

I once again have a fully working Dark Fire! All auto tuning works great again.

 

In the end, disappointed that Gibson discontinued support for it, but at least Tronical is still supporting.

[DPT 2]

"...but at least Tronical is still supporting. "

 

Turns out, not so much for getting any support from Tronical. I filled out their online form for support with a few questions and not a single response in almost 2 weeks. They were very prompt in taking my $, but then dropped the ball. Luckily I found some local electronic support.

 

I must now advise that you take this into consideration if you are looking to upgrade with the Tronical product. Sad.

[Searcy 841]

Thanks for the update. I will think twice before buying any more Tronical products.

[tronical.member 1]

Sorry guys, we faced some problems with our online forms for support.

All fixed now and inquiries will be responded within 24 hrs latest.

Best, Tronical

[merciful-evans 958]

from 5 months down to 24 hrs. That's a wonderful improvement!

[Righter 0]

Ok, I did it. I decided today was the day to transfer the old battery to new. I bought 2 pair of the batteries, and after cutting the shrink wrap that was around the old batteries being careful not to cut your wire, I de-solder the two wires and the connecting plate on the bottom of the batteries from the assumeingly bad batteries. I re-wrap the new batteries with a short piece of electrical tape and re-soldered. I decided to do a test charge and for about 30-45 seconds I had nothing, no lights (Got extreme nervous at that point). Then it started charging, it took about 30 minutes to get a full charge. It also fix and issue I was having before the batteries completely died. of my guitar cutting out while playing make lowered sound then no sound at all.

 

So the issues I was having before making me suspect the batteries.

 

1. I went to charge my guitar and when I pulled the MCK the blue lights came on and and went into a semi circle rotation, around the control MCK knob and would not stop.

2. Fading in and out guitar. Guitar would stop playing or making sound until I moved switches or pulled the MCK in out several time.

 

cost of material 4 batteries $8.95, shrink tubing $0.75 only because I had to buy a 5 foot second, Home depot, Lowes and most hardware stores carry it. My time to complete the job only because it was the first one, and I took my time, I did 0.45 minutes I am going to do it again to make a YOUTUBE video so be prepared.

 

As a final statement $60 dollars from Tronical (when there in stock) for batteries is crazy.

soldier and solder iron shrink tubing new batteries roughly $6.00 to $10.00 and your back in buisness

 

I will try to do the video this weekend so no one else has to bother paying absorbent prices for a battery. I will be glad to answer any questions you have, But chances are I will be selling my robot to buy a real Gibson, (Gibson this put a sour taste in my mouth) that want depreciate in value.

 

good luck, and hope this works for you also.

 

Hi :) Did you ever get around to posting that video? If so, could you please link me up? My Dark Fire is dead :(

[Admin 0]

Hi :) Did you ever get around to posting that video? If so, could you please link me up? My Dark Fire is dead :(

 

Try this fix for your DF; https://www.tronicaltune.com/original-gibson-spare-parts/gen-ii-battery-workaround-kit-for-gibson-dark-fire-dusk-tiger-back-plate-2x-battery-charger.html

[mlinton74 0]

I found this battery at my local Jaycar electronics store here in Australia for $24.00.... ....it has a slightly higher mAh, but it works a treat and plugs straight into my Gibson Darkfire. Avoided the need for Tronicals workaround kit which turned out to be useless given the modifications you have to do to get the damn thing to fit.

https://www.jaycar.com.au/spare-li-ion-battery-to-suit-dc-1074-dc-1093/p/DC1075

[Lorenz 0]

On 8/26/2019 at 9:54 PM, mlinton74 said:

I found this battery at my local Jaycar electronics store here in Australia for $24.00.... ....it has a slightly higher mAh, but it works a treat and plugs straight into my Gibson Darkfire. Avoided the need for Tronicals workaround kit which turned out to be useless given the modifications you have to do to get the damn thing to fit.

https://www.jaycar.com.au/spare-li-ion-battery-to-suit-dc-1074-dc-1093/p/DC1075

 

Hello , did this battery work in the end?  The only doubt I have is that the original Tronical battery has 3 connection cables while the one indicated by you has only two. Does it work the same?

[guitar tpa 0]

I just tried ordering this batter ($20 including shipping). It says it's for norelco shavers, but it meets the tronical spec. Hoping it will work.

https://www.megabatteries.com/item_details2.asp?id=17870

[Bhu 0]

I know this is an old topic.  I recently had to upgrade the battery on my dark fore 1st gen. I used the tropical one that comes with the back plate attached to the new battery housing. The easiest mod was to snap the back plate off the battery housing of the replacement and just add the new battery with housing where the old battery used to sit inside using the original back plate. Problem solved. 👍