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Tomahawk problem

post #1 of 22
3/4/07 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
Can't get it to work. Can't get the red light to go on. What am I doing wrong? Brand new Duracell AAA batteries. The problem is that it isn't clear from the way the case is made which way in they go, and the batteries don't fit into their compartments in the same way they normally do with other electronic equipment. First of all, I inserted them the way I thought the case was telling me to. Then the other way round (still didn't work). Then both facing upwards. Still didn't work. Any ideas?
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post #2 of 22
3/4/07 at 3:38pm
I've placed the TH on table with writing side up. Volume knob facing away from me. The left AAA goes in negative side first. The right AAA goes in positive side first.

On the battery side, are you sure they aren't dead? Is there an expiry date or one of those battery life checkers on the side? Could try putting those batteries into something else that takes AAAs to see if they're alive.

Failing that, I'd get in touch with Ray.
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post #3 of 22
3/4/07 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
I think I'm going to send it straight back. I have a feeling it might have been damaged on the way to the UK. This is very annoying. I'm sure it's not the fact that I've inserted the batteries wrong. I followed the guidance on the inside of the case first (there's a little picture which I think is telling you which way to insert them). But the amp refused to switch on (I tested it with music playing, just in case it was simply a case of a faulty light).

Next step was to look at the picture on the outside of the case, which (rather ambiguously) seemed to suggest that they should go in the other way. So I tried that instead. Again, absolutely nothing happened. Amp refused to switch on. Red light didn't go on and I couldn't play music.

Finally, I tried inserting them both the same way. The Tomahawk has a spring for both the +ve and the -ve connects - I've never seen that before and I matched the -ve ends of the batteries to the two springs. Again, no success. Very annoying, especially as I'm in the UK and it will probably take an age to sort out.
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post #4 of 22
3/4/07 at 3:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chowk View Post
The left AAA goes in negative side first. The right AAA goes in positive side first.
That's exactly what I thought - it's the way the inside of the case says to put them in.

I've tested the batteries on other appliances and they work fine. I've tried with two sets of batteries - some brand new Duracells and some rechargeable 1000mH AAAs. No success with either even though both of them power up my Olympus voice recorder just fine.
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post #5 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:10pm
My Tomahawk didn't switch on at first, too. Problem was the minus pole of the right battery didn't have contact to the Tomahawk's back, which is essential. So check the battery and make sure the blank minus pole can reach the Tomahawk's back. You might have to remove some of the batteries outer sleeve around the edge of the minus pole.
That is how it worked for me.
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post #6 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:14pm
Thread Starter 
Have you got any tips to make that happen? It could well be the problem.

I just got the red light to come on with the back semi-screwed on but when I screwed it on again, it went off.
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post #7 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_M View Post
Have you got any tips to make that happen? It could well be the problem.

I just got the red light to come on with the back semi-screwed on but when I screwed it on again, it went off.
Just try to remove some of the battery's outer sleeve around the edge of the minus pole, using a small pocket knife.
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post #8 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:24pm
Don't send it back yet, I really doubt the amp could be damaged by shipping. Try a different brand of battery with a larger positive tip, your old batteries probably aren't making contact. I've had batteries that don't make contact, luckily I had ones that do as well. And make sure when you put the batteries in you put it in correctly or you'll burn the amp. The right way is how chowk described it.
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post #9 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 
I no longer think it's a problem with inserting them the right way. I have tried two different brands of battery and neither works. Duracell is the market leader in the UK.

Using a knife to take part of the battery cover off hasn't worked. Somehow, somehow, I got the light to come on a couple of minutes ago but I can't do it any more.
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post #10 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:34pm
Thread Starter 
It's working now (after I licked the top of the battery - hope it won't stop working when my spit dries!)
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post #11 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:46pm
Happy listening, now.
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post #12 of 22
3/4/07 at 4:50pm
Congrats. Crisis averted :-)
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post #13 of 22
3/4/07 at 5:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_M View Post
It's working now (after I licked the top of the battery - hope it won't stop working when my spit dries!)
That was all pretty strange, including the last bit!

I'd suggest that you send a message and/or e-mail to Ray relating your experiences — or a link to this thread.
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post #14 of 22
3/4/07 at 6:19pm
Have you tried cleaning contacts?
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post #15 of 22
3/4/07 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Romanee View Post
That was all pretty strange, including the last bit!

I'd suggest that you send a message and/or e-mail to Ray relating your experiences — or a link to this thread.
X2! Including your final method. Um... what in the world made you try licking the battery?
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