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en:manuals:service-notes-for-mitail [2025/11/02 21:13] – [Indicator Lights] darkgrueen:manuals:service-notes-for-mitail [2026/08/02 16:41] (current) – darkgrue
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 ===== Introduction ===== ===== 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. 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 ===== ===== MiTail Case =====
  
 The MiTail case is injection-molded ABS. Replacements may be ordered from The Tail Company, or installed by a repair depot. The MiTail case is injection-molded ABS. Replacements may be ordered from The Tail Company, or installed by a repair depot.
 +
 +
 ==== Case Screws ==== ==== Case Screws ====
  
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 {{ :en:manuals:mitail_case_8_holes_.jpg?600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:mitail_case_8_holes_.jpg?600 |}}
 +
  
 ==== Case Replacement ==== ==== 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 trouble in 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. 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 ===== ===== Installing the Control Board =====
  
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 {{ :en:manuals:case_top_tab.jpg?400 | }} {{ :en:manuals:case_top_tab.jpg?400 | }}
 +
 +
 ===== Installing Batteries ===== ===== Installing Batteries =====
  
-The MiTail Battery is a 3.7V 103665 LiPo battery with a "JST PH 2-pin" connector. There are two of them.+The MiTail Battery is a 3.7 V, 3000 mAh, 103665 (approximately 10 x 36 x 65 mm) LiPo battery with a "JST PH 2-pin" connector. There are two of them.
  
 {{ :en:manuals:battery.jpg?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:battery.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
 +
 +<WRAP round tip 90%>
 +FAA rules on installed batteries are that devices containing lithium batteries (laptops, phones, and also tails) can be checked, but carry-on is preferred to prevent damage/fire. There is a battery capacity limit generally allowing capacities under 100 Wh. The tails, with two 11.1 Wh batteries, have a total capacity of 22.2 Wh, well under the device capacity limits. Travel rules and restrictions should be reviewed in advance, but the Tail Co devices fall well under realistic limits being an "installed, non-removable battery" and a very modest capacity that should be acceptable anywhere a cellphone or laptop would.
 +</WRAP>
  
 The positive lead for the batteries is oriented to the left for J1 and J2 (closest to the corner of the PCB). The positive lead for the batteries is oriented to the left for J1 and J2 (closest to the corner of the PCB).
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 <WRAP round important 90%> <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. 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> </WRAP>
 +
  
 ===== Testing Servos ===== ===== Testing Servos =====
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 {{ :en:manuals:servo.jpg?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:servo.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
 +
  
 ==== Servo Connections ==== ==== Servo Connections ====
  
-Internally, the firmware refers to the servos as Servo 1 (the "top" servo) and Servo 2 (the "bottom" servo). The bottom (the one that emerges from the "bottom" of the case when the servo bracket is installed) servo cable goes to the bottom (closest to the board itself) PCB pins.+Internally, the firmware refers to the servos as Servo 1 (the "top" servo) and Servo 2 (the "bottom" servo). The bottom servo cable (the one that emerges from the "bottom" of the case when the servo bracket is installed) goes to the bottom (closest to the board itself) PCB pins.
  
 {{ :en:manuals:bottom_servo.png?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:bottom_servo.png?nolink&600 |}}
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 </WRAP> </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 |}} {{ :en:manuals:servo_tab_cut.jpg?400 |}}
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 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. 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 ==== 
  
- To do this correctly, first power up the PCB with the new servo attached directly to the board. That will center or "home" the servo before you reattach the pulley. Secondly, make sure the pulley is in the following "ten minutes to the hour" position; the topmost screw head will also align with the servo mount rib below it (note that the servo splines may not line up perfectly and may land a tooth to the left or the right slightly or a particular trail might bias more towards the center screw):+===== Installing Cable Pulleys / Servo Horns ===== 
 + 
 +There are seven screws holding the pulley assembly halves together. Three are at the edge, near the cable slot. And four more that hold the servo horn to the pulley. All seven must be removed or loosened to free the cable from the pulley (which is required if the case is being replaced). The screws are M3 × 5.75 mm, Pozidriv PZ1 drive, 7.75 mm overall length. 
 + 
 +<WRAP round important 90%> 
 +Note that the pulley screws are soft metal. Using a medium-sized electric screwdriver that's slow and steady with very firm downward pressure so the bit doesn't skip and grind out the heads. Do not install or remove the screws with the pulley attached to the servo to avoid damaging the servo shaft and/or gearbox. 
 +</WRAP> 
 + 
 +==== Pulley Calibration / Resetting Servo Home Position ==== 
 + 
 +To do this correctly, first power up the PCB with the new servo attached directly to the board. That will center or "home" the servo before you reattach the pulley. Secondly, make sure the pulley is in the following "ten minutes to the hour" position; the topmost screw head will also align with the servo mount rib below it (note that the servo splines may not line up perfectly and may land a tooth to the left or the right slightly or a particular trail might bias more towards the center screw):
  
 {{ :en:manuals:pulley_alignment.jpg?nolink&600 |}} {{ :en:manuals:pulley_alignment.jpg?nolink&600 |}}
 +
  
 ===== Glow Tip - Installing LED Lights ===== ===== Glow Tip - Installing LED Lights =====
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 ===== Board-level Repairs and Modifications ===== ===== 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). 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.+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.
  
-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. 
  
 ===== Charging ===== ===== 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.+Some versions of tail-series controller hardware require specific charging support. The version of hardware can be determined by looking at the "About your gear" in The Tail Company App, the "Hardware Version" will  say "MITAIL 3.x", which can be used to determine what kind of charging is required. 
 + 
 + 
 +==== USB Power Delivery (USB PD) ==== 
 + 
 +MiTail hardware versions v3.2 through v3.5 require 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%> <WRAP round tip 90%>
-If the MiTail red LED is not "breathing" red, it is not charging!+If the MiTail Red LED is not "breathing" red on a PD-required tail, it is not charging!
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-|  {{ :en:manuals:usb-a_to_usb-c.jpg?nolink&400 |}}  |  {{ :en:manuals:usb-c_to_usb-c.jpg?nolink&400 |}}  | +|  {{ :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 PD-required 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 any MiTail (and an EarGear 2).\\ This is a PD charger, with a USB-C to USB-C cable.  |   
 + 
 + 
 +==== "Plain" USB ==== 
 + 
 +MiTail hardware versions v3.6 onward require a USB charger. Charging can be performed through any USB-C cable (such as the EarGear2 USB-A to USB-C charging cable and charger). Note that on these boards, the Red LED is controlled directly by the battery charger and there is **NO** breathing animation. Instead, the Red LED is constant on when charging, and off when charging is disconnected or when charging is complete.
  
  
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 The following visual indicators are presented by the firmware on the board: The following visual indicators are presented by the firmware on the board:
 +
 +
 +==== Blue LED ====
 +
 +The Blue LED (D4) has five states:
 +
 +  - **Off** when powered off.
 +  - **Blink on-off** when BLE is disconnected.
 +  - **Fade-off** when BLE is disconnected and Autonomous Mode (either iOS Casual Mode or No-phone Mode) is active.
 +  - **Constant on** when BLE is connected.
 +  - **Fade-on** when BLE is connected and Autonomous Mode is active.
 +  - **Blink fast three times** when the button is held for more than 3 seconds (but less than 13), indicates the device is ready to power off when the button is released.
 +  - **Blink fast continuously** when the button is held for more than 13 seconds, indicates the device is ready to factory reset when the button is released.
 +
  
   * Red LED: Slow breathing = tail is charging (when connected to USB PD power).     * Red LED: Slow breathing = tail is charging (when connected to USB PD power).  
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   * Green LED: ON = USB power is charging batteries. Visible only on the PCB.     * Green LED: ON = USB power is charging batteries. Visible only on the PCB.  
  
-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).+==== Red LED ==== 
 + 
 +For v3.2 through v3.5 tail-series controller hardware, the Red LED (D5) has four states: 
 + 
 +  - **Off** during normal operation. 
 +  - **Breathing** while charging. 
 +  - **Constant on** when charging is complete. 
 +  - **Short flash** on, followed by pause to indicate a low (<= 10%) battery condition. 
 + 
 +For v3.6 tail-series controller hardware, the Red LED (D5) has two states: 
 + 
 +  - **Off** when charging is disconnected and when charging complete. 
 +  - **Constant on** when charging. 
 +   
 +**Note:** Unlike the DIGITAiL, MiTail, and MiTail Mini **can** be used while charging. 
 + 
 + 
 +The Green LED (D8) is only present on v3.2 through v3.5 tail-series controller hardware, and is not visible from outside the device case. The LED is a visual indicator for the ''STAT'' pin of the battery charger: 
 + 
 +  - **Constant on** is charge in progress. 
 +  - **Off** is charge completed. 
 +  - **Blink on-off** indicates a fault condition. 
  
 ===== Function Check ===== ===== Function Check =====
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-== Copyright 2023-2025 © The Mechanical Tail Company Limited contact@thetailcompany.com. All Rights Reserved. ==+== Copyright 2023-2026 © The Mechanical Tail Company Limited contact@thetailcompany.com. All Rights Reserved. ==