The counter display is blank/faded/missing digits

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The counter display is blank/faded/missing digits

Reason: The display is either faulty or the batteries are exhausted

Solution: The first step is to check/replace the batteries

Detailed Explanation: Please remove the counter from the top of the ball

This can be done using either your finger nail, a small flat headed screw driver or knife blade (exercise care while using either tool!) – the counter is anchored to the ball at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions by two plastic tabs (these are molded to the body of the counter) – please insert the tool/nail under the counter body at either of these points and lift upward with a quick, firm action – the counter should pop off. Fig Aremoving the counter unit

Fig A: Removing the counter unit

The counter on your Powerball is designed to power down automatically if rotor rotation hasn’t been detected for a period exceeding 40 seconds. This feature gives the batteries an expected lifespan of 3-4 years of normal [powerball] use.

However, in rare circumstances, it is possible that one or both of the two batteries inside the counter could fail (a faulty cell for example), therefore bringing on the premature failure of the counter display and so these must first be tested/replaced before the counter can be considered to be faulty.

In addition, due to the electronic nature of the counter, it is also possible for a simple data corruption to take place which will cause the display to go blank – once again, while this is rare, we have seen it happen in the past and it is easily corrected as described below.

Changing the batteries is actually quite an easy task;

On the back of the counter (the circuit board side) you’ll notice 6 small screws (as illustrated in Fig.1 here) – obtain a tiny star (philips) screwdriver and remove these (Fig.B)Image 2

Fig B: Powerball counter – rear view

The circuit board will now come away from the counter body (Fig.C)Image 3

Fig C: Counter unit dis-assembled

You’ll see the two small batteries (GP377 if your counter is grey in colour / GP392 if the counter is white)

If you have a voltage meter, conduct a test – the voltage should read between 1.4 and 1.59 on each cell – any lower and there is a risk that the display will begin to fade. These batteries are easily found in any jeweler or office equipment store if required

Replace and reinstall the screws. If the batteries were found to be ok, the simple action of opening the counter and removing the batteries from contact with the board for even 10 seconds can often cure an errant display – such corruption will be generally reset by removing the power source for a short time like this.

One final condition is where the display is seen to be faded or weak; look closely at Fig.D

Image 4

Fig D: Faded or weak display

You can see that, attached to the LCD screen, is a rubber elastomer. This is a small rubber block into which are embedded gold contact wires and which manages the task of connecting the LCD display screen with the counter board with a certain degree of flexibility.

In some cases, if contact between the LCD screen and this elastomer, or – between the elastomer and the board isn’t 100% perfect, it will result in broken or faded characters on the display. Gently removing this and cleaning both sides of the elastomer (we don’t recommend that you touch the screen) should result in a perfect display once again.

The whole job of opening the counter should take approximately 2-3 minutes max and there is nothing inside to pop out or fall out of place.

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