XTS 3000, XTS 3500 and XTS 5000 Radio/Battery Contact Preventive Maintenance

Bulletin was Up-Issued to improve overall clarity

SUBJECT: XTS 3000, XTS 3500 and XTS 5000 Radio/Battery Contact Preventive Maintenance

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information relative to assuring integrity and reliability of the power contacts on the XTS 3000, XTS 3000R, XTS 3500, XTS 3500R, XTS 5000 and XTS 5000R portable radios and batteries.

MODEL / SYSTEM AFFECTED:
All XTS 3000, XTS 3000R, XTS 3500, XTS 3500R, XTS 5000, and XTS 5000R portable radio models and all compatible batteries are possibly affected.

SYMPTOM:
Radios with a build up of contamination in the radio/battery contact interface may experience unexpected radio resets. For display radios, a reset will be accompanied by the display indicating ‘Self Test’ followed by the power-up tone. For non-display radios only the power-up tone may be heard. Radios may drop out of scan and/or revert back to the top channel or zone switch settings if the zone and/or the channel have been changed from the front keypad or from a remote accesssory.

CAUSE:
Contact material technologies used in the above noted portable radios are engineered to provide reliable interconnect between the radio and battery. However, to assure reliable performance, typical with all battery operated devices, it is important to assure that both sides of the electrical interface remain clean and free of foreign material and other non-conductive contaminants. Contamination on battery or radio contacts, such as fibers, dirt or other nonconductive materials may collect and cause intermittent radio/battery connection and power interruption (resets). This contamination can also cause accelerated wear to the radio and/or battery’s contact surfaces.

RESOLUTION:
The ‘DeoxIT®GOLD’ cleaner/lubricant pen (supplier CAIG Labs, part number GX100P-UV) has been found to be very effective at cleaning and extending the life of the XTS series portable radio’s contacts. DeoxIT®GOLD is available at numerous electronics suppliers (Radio Shack, McMaster Carr, Fry’s, etc.) and directly from the manufacturer, CAIG Labs, at http://www.caig.com. The pen-based package is recommended as it provides better access to the recessed contacts of the battery. The pen’s tip will most likely need to be modified (trimmed on the sides) to improve penetration into the battery contact slots.
Per the manufacturer’s instructions, shake the pen and depress the tip until the fluid saturates the tip. Apply to each contact surface (radio AND battery sides). IMPORTANT - Extra care should be taken to ensure adequate lubricating of the larger contact surface area of the battery contacts. After cleaning, inspect both contact surfaces for signs of advanced wear. Advanced contact wear is defined as wear through either the radio OR the battery’s contact platings (gold and nickel) to the base metal (copper). Copper exposure is characterized by a distinctive orange-brown metal appearance surrounded by the silvery nickel underplate and gold top plating. In some cases, a magnified (8x to 10x) inspection may be required to verify wear into the base material. Polishing of the gold or nickel surface is common and is not considered a need for replacement.

IMPORTANT - In instances where advanced wear is evident on the radio’s B+ header, it should be replaced per the following part number table.

IMPORTANT - Batteries whose contacts exhibit advanced wear should also be replaced.

Radio Model B+ Header Part Number
----------------------- -------------------------------------
XTS 3000 - 0905585Z04
XTS 3500 - 0985973B04
XTS 5000 - 0985973B04

After cleaning the contact areas of any foreign material, let the lubricant/cleaner air dry for two minutes. IMPORTANT - Do not wipe dry. Replace the battery on the radio and test for intermittency by moving the battery relative to the radio as might occur in regular use.
Regular maintenance (at least annually) of this area is recommended to ensure contamination free interface and to prolong the life of the radio and battery contacts.