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frederic-mahe / Analogue-Pocket

An issue tracker for Analogue's Pocket, a handheld FPGA device released in December 2021
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Pocket unit "crackles" when disconnecting from Dock #17

Open filler-arc opened 2 years ago

filler-arc commented 2 years ago

When the Pocket is removed the Dock, it emits an audible "crackle" sound from the USB C port. This happens with the Dock connected and disconnected from its power supply.

I attempted to reproduce the noise using other cables/chargers (iPad charger, Anker power brick, etc.), but the noise is only produced when disconnecting from the Dock.

schmingy commented 2 years ago

We ordered his and hers docks and pockets. One dock we have exhibits this problem with both pockets and the other one does not. It almost sounds like pins having been deformed springing back into place.

bbbbbr commented 2 years ago

A reply from Analogue is quoted here: https://www.resetera.com/threads/analogue-pocket-ot-hey-kid-wanna-score-some-tetris.147414/page-123#post-79032874

Analogue responded to me about the crackling issues and this is what they said

There is no need to worry as this is normal. The USB-C connector contacts are making this sound and as the Dock is used more, the sound will diminish.

Should there be any further queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Thank you!

SpiralBrad commented 2 years ago

Unplug the pocket from the dock in the dark, and you will see that there are actual sparks / arcing involved.

I'm not sure how this is 'normal' or how it will reduce over time...

schmingy commented 2 years ago

In the case of ours, the sound is present even with the dock unplugged for power and hdmi. The only light I’ve noticed is the led on the pocket lighting up upon removal. That’s not to say that some are seeing sparks, just not what we’ve seen with ours.

SpiralBrad commented 2 years ago

[Snipped: my own stupidity]

...It shouldn't be making LIGHT in pitch darkness, I'd say.

Edit: It has LEDs on the bottom, and I'm an idiot.

16bitstreamer commented 2 years ago

Is the light not the led of the bottom of the Pocket coming on for an instant as the USB disconnects?

Try connecting the power cable to the Pocket directly and disconnecting while it’s plugged in to see if you can replicate the light?

schmingy commented 2 years ago

I just replicated the light issue using just a USB C cable. The light is the power LED on the Pocket that briefly goes from yellow to red after the USB C cable is unplugged. This does not appear to be a spark despite what it sounds like.

Testing with a bog standard USB C cable and power supply, I noticed the same effect of light for a very short duration after unplugging. Trying the same thing with an unpowered dock, and while I get the sound, no light. When I tried with a powered dock, same sound and I do see light; however, looking closely, the light comes from the same place as the power LED and not where the USB C connector is. Finally, the color of the light doesn't seem right for what a spark would look like. I believe a spark would most likely be blue/white in color.

When the Pocket charges, the LED on the bottom is lit, when unplugging, there appears to be a delay in turning off and it goes from orange (at least on my not fully charged pocket) to red before finally shutting off.

SpiralBrad commented 2 years ago

When the Pocket charges, the LED on the bottom is lit...

I uhh... I forgot there were LEDs on the bottom. I'm an idiot :)

But phew that does make much more sense.

schmingy commented 2 years ago

I uhh... I forgot there were LEDs on the bottom. I'm an idiot :)

But phew that does make much more sense.

Please don't be so hard on yourself. If it's just the LEDs then at least we maybe aren't dealing with a sparking/electrical issue, but that you were asking and looking into it means that you wanted to learn. That means you're not an idiot. :)

The sound is concerning, but, to me at least, it sounds a lot like little pins popping back into place when my ear is close. That being said, I don't know why some docks have that sound and others don't unless they just have strange tolerances. The USB C ports on the dock are mounted in something flexible so they can move around a little bit as a relief strain.

If something really is flawed in the design, I'm sure Analogue would address it as they did with the defective Game Gear adapters they sold for the Mega SG.