Differences

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--- en:manuals:service-notes-for-mitail [2025/11/02 21:12] – [Indicator Lights] darkgrue
+++ en:manuals:service-notes-for-mitail [2025/11/02 21:45] (current) – [Charging] darkgrue
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ===== Introduction =====
-These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations of the product and do not claim to provide for every possible contingency in connection with installation, operation, or maintenance. Self-repairs performed by the customer may lead to damage or loss of your product. Should further information be desired or should particular problems arise which are not covered sufficiently or if repair services are desired, please contact The Tail Company ([[contact@thetailcompany.com]]).
+These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations of the product and do not claim to provide for every possible contingency in connection with installation, operation, or maintenance. Self-repairs performed by the customer may lead to damage or loss of your product. Should further information be desired or if repair services are desired, please contact The Tail Company ([[contact@thetailcompany.com]]).
 For the purposes of this manual, “left” and “right” references will refer to the MiTail’s orientation when worn on the body, relative to the wearer. So, the “left” side is the side of the MiTail on the wearer’s left.
 ===== MiTail Case =====
 The MiTail case is injection-molded ABS. Replacements may be ordered from The Tail Company, or installed by a repair depot.
 ==== Case Screws ====
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 {{ :en:manuals:mitail_case_8_holes_.jpg?600 |}}
 ==== Case Replacement ====
-Replacing the lower case half (with the belt hook portion) is the most common reason for replacing the MiTail case. This requires that the case be opened, the two batteries taken out of the case, the control board removed, the four servo frame mount screws be removed, and the servo pulley be removed from the servo. The cable must be removed from the pulley to remove the case half from the cable.
+Replacing the lower case half (with the belt hook portion) is the most common reason for replacing the MiTail case.
+<WRAP round tip 90%>
+Before starting, read all the sections of this guide. Take photos or videos of your disassembly, to assist you in reassembling the tail. The sections that most users have are in the area of setting the servo home position, reassembling the control board to the case, and reassembling the case halves. Tips have been provided for each of those trouble areas.</WRAP>
+This requires that the case be opened, the two batteries taken out of the case (they may stay attached to the control board), the control board removed from the case half, the four servo frame mount screws be removed to free both servos and the tail spine from the case half, and the servo pulley be removed from the servo (one screw in the center). The cable must be removed from the pulley (requiring 7 screws removed from the pulley) to remove the case half from the cable.
 The disassembly is then reversed. Note the procedure in [[#Resetting Servo Home Position]] to reset the pulley position on the servo shaft correctly.
 ===== Installing the Control Board =====
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 {{ :en:manuals:case_top_tab.jpg?400 | }}
 ===== Installing Batteries =====
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 <WRAP round important 90%>
 Be aware that, although the JST-PH 2.0 connectors used on the batteries and across industry are polarized, the polarity that any one battery is set up for is EXTREMELY RANDOM. Positive and negative should be correctly indicated by red and black wires, but the position of the wires in the connector may not be correct for the MiTail (or whatever device you plan on using the battery in), because there's actually no real standard. Plugging in the battery with the polarity reversed can, depending on a lot of factors, be quite bad for the device and/or battery.
 </WRAP>
 ===== Testing Servos =====
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 {{ :en:manuals:servo.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
 ==== Servo Connections ====
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 </WRAP>
-If a fresh servo is being installed, you will first need to modify the replacement servo to remove the mounting tab furthest from the servo shaft (so that it can fit into the case).
+If a "fresh" servo (shown in top of photo) is being installed, you will first need to modify the replacement servo to remove the mounting tab furthest from the servo shaft so that it can fit into the case (shown in bottom of photo).
 {{ :en:manuals:servo_tab_cut.jpg?400 |}}
 Remove the pulley from the old servo, dismount the old servo and mount the new servo in it's place, and reattach it to the new servo, making sure that the new one is in the correct starting position.
 ==== Resetting Servo Home Position ====
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 {{ :en:manuals:pulley_alignment.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
 ===== Glow Tip - Installing LED Lights =====
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 {{ :en:manuals:glow_tip.jpg?400 |}}
+===== Board-level Repairs and Modifications =====
+The tail PCB uses small surface-mounted components, and is not generally considered a repairable unit. Replacements are available for order from The Tail Company.
+<WRAP round important 90%>
+Users who are experienced with surface-mount board rework may attempt repair at their own risk, but the Tail Company is unable to provide specific assistance with this.
+</WRAP>
+The most likely repair would be to replace the USB connector or a damaged tactile switch, which are reinforced with hot glue. Removal of the hot glue is possible, but requires care to prevent components from being removed from the board, along with the glue. The best method to remove the hot glue is high-concentration Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), also known as rubbing alcohol. Soak a Q-Tip in rubbing alcohol, and working your way from the edges in, brush the dried glue gently with the Q-Tip. As the alcohol weakens the adhesive, lift the edge and peel the hot glue away from the board surface, reapplying the alcohol as resistance is met from the glue.
 ===== Charging =====
-MiTail requires a USB Power Delivery (USB PD) capable charging adapter. PD charging is only possible using a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB PD chargers together. Adapters with USB-A output, even with a USB-A to USB-C cable will **NOT** charge a MiTail. The adapter should provide at least 9V - almost all PD adapters can. If the adapters’ rated power is less than 24W, charging will take around 3 hours.
+MiTail requires a USB Power Delivery (USB PD) capable charging adapter. PD charging is only possible using a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB PD chargers together. Adapters with USB-A output, even with a USB-A to USB-C cable **WILL NOT** charge a MiTail. The adapter should provide at least 9V - almost all PD adapters can. If the adapter's rated power is less than 24W, charging will take around 3 hours.
 <WRAP round tip 90%>
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 </WRAP>
 |  {{ :en:manuals:usb-a_to_usb-c.jpg?nolink&400 |}}  |  {{ :en:manuals:usb-c_to_usb-c.jpg?nolink&400 |}}  |
-|  This will **NOT** charge a MiTail (but will charge an EarGear 2).\\ Even though this is a PD charger, it's using a USB-A to USB-C cable,\\ and the tail and charger can't negotiate.  |  This **WILL** charge a MiTail AND an EarGear 2.\\ This is a PD charger, with a USB-C to USB-C cable.  |
+|  This **WILL NOT** charge a MiTail (but will charge an EarGear 2).\\ Even though this is a PD charger, it's using a USB-A to USB-C cable,\\ and the tail and charger can't negotiate.  |  This **WILL** charge a MiTail (and an EarGear 2).\\ This is a PD charger, with a USB-C to USB-C cable.  |
+===== Indicator Lights =====
-===== Board-level Repairs and Modifications =====
+The following visual indicators are presented by the firmware on the board:
+  * Red LED: Slow breathing = tail is charging (when connected to USB PD power).
+  * Red LED: Solid on = charge complete (when connected to USB PD power).
+  * Blue LED: Blinking = ready to connect.
+  * Blue LED: ON = MiTail is connected.
+  * Green LED: ON = USB power is charging batteries. Visible only on the PCB.
-The tail PCB uses small surface-mounted components, and is not generally considered a repairable unit (replacements are available for order from The Tail Company). Users who are experienced with surface-mount board rework may attempt repair at their own risk, but the Tail Company is unable to provide specific assistance with this.
+Please make sure the PCB has the latest firmware. Firmware may be updated from The Tail Company app, support Python utility, or directly (e.g. using PlatformIO).
-The most likely repair would be to replace the USB connector or tactile switch, which are reinforced with hot glue. Removal of the hot glue is possible, but requires care to prevent components from being removed from the board, along with the glue. The best method to remove the hot glue is high-concentration Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), also known as rubbing alcohol. Soak a Q-Tip in rubbing alcohol, and working your way from the edges in, brush the dried glue gently with the Q-Tip. As the alcohol weakens the adhesive, lift the edge and peel the hot glue away from the board surface, reapplying the alcohol as resistance is met from the glue.
 ===== Function Check =====