Garmin Alpha Locking up

[Crow]

Anyone having any trouble with the gold colored contacts on the collars corroding? I've got a collar that the red charge light would not turn green. This collar is less than a month old and probably used less than 10 times when it started. Talked to a dealer & he said garmin is aware. Planning on calling Monday. If you look at the 4 contacts on the collar it's the 2nd one from the left. Looks like its been getting hot. Two other guys I know have systems & both are having the same thing happen with theirs also. The collar does charge but the light stays red. Otherwise no issues so far. One of the 2 guys I mentioned was having trouble with his unit shutting down 6 months ago & garmin replaced it so they have been contacted about this in the past.

[Budd]

Just talked to a friend of mine that sells Garmins and has been working the bugs out with Garmin for a few years now. He said it's a issue they have been having for awhile now and they have always been aware of it. They just sent him a program upgrade last Friday and he has two units that have been having the problem out on field test now, he should know by the end of the week if it is going to fix the issue or not.

[BCBeagles]

I just updated my handheld thru the Garmin site.


Budd thanks for the update!!!!! They will fix it if they know it exists and it clearly does.

[beaglenutz]

I am starting to think maybe it has something to do with a defective collar!
I ran two dogs tonight and put around 6.5 miles on and had no issues. At first the screen kind of hesitated a little but was fine after.
Maybe I should try to update again!

[Crow]

So is anyone noticing any corrosion or discoloration on the charging contacts on the collars? I know we've been having issues with it. We've got a total of 9 collars between the 3 of us and they all are having issues with the second contact from the left getting a crusty green corrosion on it. Charge indicator light won't turn from red to green when collar is charged.

[sxs20]

I have one the same as yours Crow

[Crow]

I have one the same as yours Crow

Make sure you call garmin. 800-800-1020 then follow the options to the astro / alpha folks. I spoke with them yesterday and they said they had not received any other calls about it that most had probably been handled through dealers and when that happens it takes much longer to discover and address the problems. I was told as long as the unit is under warranty that they will replace with a new collar.

[BCBeagles]

I have a fan running near my hunting gear and alpha. Helps quickly dry up the collars and my clothes. I am sure moisture laying on that area will corrode it quickly.

[Crow]

BC, mine are always thoroughly dried and kept in a heated building. This alpha collar was less than 1 month old and started showing signs of corrosion and the red indicator light stopped turning green the 4th time it was charged. Also out of all the collars I mentioned having the problem the oldest is about 6 months old and all 8 are the 2nd contact from the left. The other 3 contacts still look like they did when they came out of the box. Almost looks like heat damage.

[BCBeagles]

May be.. that makes sense.

[sxs20]

mine is the second contact also...i just got a new collar for a power button issue,,im fixin to call them for this one now

[Crow]

I would, they sounded pretty interested when they found out almost all of the ones I knew of were the 2nd contact. Just about has to be an internal problem with them all being the same one. Maybe they'll come up with a fix.

[BCBeagles]

Sending mine back to Garmin today. I just want it replaced and I told them that.

They deny any issues with this which is obviously false, others are having issues.

See what happens?

[S.R.Patch]

Sounds like a loose contact being this is from a AC to DC converter.
I think "leakage" of DC is prone to heat build-up & corrosion, like a loose connection on your car battery.
Maybe something to check.

[Crow]

Sounds like a loose contact being this is from a AC to DC converter.
I think "leakage" of DC is prone to heat build-up & corrosion, like a loose connection on your car battery.
Maybe something to check.

I think you're on the right track SR. I also believe that it may be an internal connection problem as we are having problems with 8 out of 8 collars, 3 different owners, and 8 chargers between the 3 of us and all are the same contact. Sounds like manufacturing defect to me. We're in the process of sending back and receiving new ones so I guess time will tell.