Night Vision PVS-14 problem

[CoryT]

I just had a PVS-14 dual battery unit get a crack in the battery latch, so it got sent to Wolverine Tech for a replacement/upgrade to a single battery housing.

The unit now has virtually no gain. In a lights out room, bright enough to navigate by eye, it's too dark to see anything. The gain control has 1/10 the effect it had prior to the change.

I'm waiting for a response from Tim, but it took nearly a month to get it done and now I'm worse off than before. At least if I taped the battery lid on it worked.

Victor, can I send this to you for a repair?

I've got the old parts, if the circuit board and such is of any use to anyone let me know.

 

[cj7hawk]

Re: PVS-14 problem

You did remember to take the cover off the lens when you tested it didn't you?

I'm not making fun of you or anything, it's just that the description you gave really sounds like you left the rubber cover on the lens.

And it's pretty common to forget to do that when you get a PVS-14 back and it will work exactly as described.

Otherwise, if the gain works at all, it might be a faulty circuit or something might have happened to your tube.

Regards
David

 

[CoryT]

Re: PVS-14 problem

It actually looks alot like that, but no, the cover is not on. In fact, the unit is brighter in a lit room with the daylight cover in place.

The gain has a visible effect, just not much. I can no longer turn it up to a level that gets noise, it's like the pot is bad.

 

[Asm1]

Re: PVS-14 problem

New battery ?

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Re: PVS-14 problem

Cory, of course after trying all the necessary "dang I forgot about that"...hehehe as I have done it more times than I know, send it our way, be happy to take a look at it.

You can give us a call if you like to get things rollin' or email me at victor at tnvc dot com.

Vic

 

[OmegaMan]

Re: PVS-14 problem

I am going with a faulty circuit board in the single battery housing. I really doubt the tube is the issue. Could be in the gain pot but without the unit in hand it is hard to know. 1 month ?? Ridiculous. I can change out a battery housing in 15 minutes. Easy way is to just replace the lower battery housing and see what happens.

Vic will get it sorted out and I bet it does not take a month to do it !

ETA : I always check function before I EVER send a repaired scope out. Stuff can happen in shipping but it would be rare if there are no signs of physical damage.

As ASM suggested a fresh battery is always a good start. Get your money back from Wolverine and let Vic fix it right the first time. Vic will gladly send the defective part back to Wolverine. If he won't, I will do it for him ! No charge !

 

[cj7hawk]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It actually looks alot like that, but no, the cover is not on. In fact, the unit is brighter in a lit room with the daylight cover in place.

The gain has a visible effect, just not much. I can no longer turn it up to a level that gets noise, it's like the pot is bad.</div></div>

Hmmm, that's a worrying description... I am going to go with tube failure... possibly the insulation breaking down or damage to the circuit that controls the max brightness which is just as bad, unless it's a faulty ABC and you can adjust past the bad-spot but that's unlikely.

Probably a PSU fault tot he photocathode with an outside chance of the tube going to air. I will guess that there's nothing wrong with the PVS-14 housing itself.

A quick test for that - is the brightness roughly consistent between bright and dark areas, but both are too dark? That will tell you if the ABC is set too low. If it cannot handle dark areas at all, then the PC voltage is probably collapsing.

But Vic has the tools and equipment to verify and troubleshoot. He can tell you very quickly.

Regards
David

 

[CoryT]

Re: PVS-14 problem

Mounting the old battery housing returns normal function, so the tube and the rest of the base unit seem fine.

I don't have any way to test the output voltage, but is sure looks like just low power. Fresh batteries make no change. I think I'll just send it out to Vic, which is clearly what I should have done in the first place. Sigh.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: PVS-14 problem

why wouldn't you just do the job yourself? are you concerned with purging the unit?

 

[OmegaMan]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mounting the old battery housing returns normal function, so the tube and the rest of the base unit seem fine.

I don't have any way to test the output voltage, but is sure looks like just low power. Fresh batteries make no change. I think I'll just send it out to Vic, which is clearly what I should have done in the first place. Sigh. </div></div>

Cory, if it works fine with your old housing still then this removes all doubt. You have a problem in the new lower battery housing.
Could be something simple but to insure you are problem free most will just install a new battery housing. I would. Simple fix and turnaround time should be very fast. WELL under a month.

Best regards, Dino

 

[CoryT]

Re: PVS-14 problem

The only reason I sent it out at all was for purging, I don't have the gear and no one nearby does. It's on the way to Vic, he'll do it right and I'll deal with the bad housing after that.

 

[Asm1]

Re: PVS-14 problem

Purging is overrated,I have fixed busted units often without issue,Its only BASIC common sence needed to avoid an issue while working on one..It would be hard pressed to Find a worse location with hummidity than where I am,Over 18 years no issue with personal equipment used.
I dont work on other peoples units,If I did I would Purge them just so they could sleep better hearing it was done.

Its simple to purge non the less and if its what makes you happy case closed ...

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ASM1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">Purging is overrated</span></span>,I have fixed busted units often without issue,Its only BASIC common sence needed to avoid an issue while working on one..It would be hard pressed to Find a worse location with hummidity than where I am,Over 18 years no issue with personal equipment used.
I dont work on other peoples units,If I did I would Purge them just so they could sleep better hearing it was done.

Its simple to purge non the less and if its what makes you happy case closed ... </div></div>

Been saying that for years! :-D So good someone else agrees.

Unless the unit has some pretty severe internal fogging, we have yet to see purging stand out as a must have. In Cory's case, he has a bit more going on than just purging...

We saw this argument with rifle scopes over the years as well.

 

[OmegaMan]

Re: PVS-14 problem

I only purge one scope I own (AVS-9). It is because I am picky and need to feel good about myself... Anyhow, I just chooses a low humidity day and have never had any issue. I don't purge most of my scopes.

In the swamps with lots of moisture ? Might be a good idea to purge.

 

[NoveSPR]

Re: PVS-14 problem

So, do I read this correctly that you guys are saying that purging is unnecessary...

 

[OmegaMan]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NoveSPR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So, do I read this correctly that you guys are saying that purging is unnecessary... </div></div>

It your ass is on the line I would say get it purged. If you use it in a manner where people are not trying to kill you than I don't find it needed.

It is used to prevent fogging. If the scope is assembled in low humidity most will never have a issue. If you are getting fogging on the INSIDE of your scope by all means get it purged. If not ? Don't waste your money.

 

[Asm1]

Re: PVS-14 problem

Agreed do it if it feels good for you,I have sent some off to be perged that where being sold because it is what is mindwashed into Some that it must be done .. so no worries cant hurt...

But I live in the south you see the woman the boy the dog and me,I have a shotgun Rifle and a 4wheel drive ,I can skin a buck,run a trout line, a country boy can survive

Actually in the Foot hills to the appilcation mountains, swamps at the base,rocks at the top,Hummidity That Grows large snake's, look like anaconda's, and Aligator turtles old enough to have Watch the sivel war...

Here is how I tought the Dog to do it...A hair drier to warm all the parts and keep every thing clean with compress air, Use lens brush/lens cloth so on,assemble with least touching possible,Check for dingleberrys in the Image when done with assembly, remove them and restart untill they are gone ...

Going Outside all cloths weapons NIGHT VISION anything that was on my Person exposed to the Hummidity turns to soaking wet, water drips off in seconds,We have steam rolling off the mountain and out of the caves and such ......OK have I sold you all that its like realy hummid hear ? And then there is the rain that cools it off a Little,But its when the rain stops that the Hummidty gets even worse...

I Have not had any Fog/wet inside any night vision or Laser I have used,exept for when I have cracked the housing and didnt know it,I ran threw some swamps and then up the mountain,when I was at the top I stoped and My Nod Foged and didnt wipe off,It was inside from a busted battery houseing,I carry an extra NOD, I live in the south you see we are ready.....


....I treat everything I have like the world is ending at Noon and this is the kit to get my trout line and buck skinned you see

If its good enough for me,I gurantee it will get the Job done on Haji...

 

[cj7hawk]

Re: PVS-14 problem



If you want a backyard-engineer's method of purging, get a can of air duster...

It is not only good for blowing fine clingy dust of lenses - you can shove the delivery straw into the purge hole and give it a good purge too.

There is more to the test though and if you're using waterproof kit underwater, then the purging process also checks your seals, but otherwise I think purging is overrated, though since I can home-purge with air duster I do it anyway. It's not the stuff you're supposed to use, but it's dry and displaces the moisture laden air just as effectively.

Regards
David

 

[j-huskey]

Re: PVS-14 problem

ASM-1 and I recently had a discussion about purging. Nice to have, but after some hard use, like maybe two months, the purge effect is gone, and you live with it. Just like everybody in the shit lands who have issue equipment, you just use it until it quits.
Some of us who paint our stuff see the purge leaks and every day they leak some more until one day they stop. Then we use it until it fails. So far, since 2004 on a couple of Gen II PVS-14's, 2006 on a Gen III, and 2008 on the PVS-22.
I showed one of those units to a guy last night and realized just how beat up looking it was, but also that it still worked just fine. OK, there are some black spots in there that weren't there a couple of years ago.

On another ASM-1 note, down South in the humidity and things, using the IR pointer and illuminator for illumination, we have night bugs that fly and look like a hundred little circles when they reflect. This can be annoying as hell and I know I am not the only one who deals with this.
You never hear people talk about this kind of stuff though.

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jhuskey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ASM-1 and I recently had a discussion about purging. Nice to have, but after some hard use, like maybe two months, the purge effect is gone, and you live with it. Just like everybody in the shit lands who have issue equipment, you just use it until it quits.
Some of us who paint our stuff see the purge leaks and every day they leak some more until one day they stop. Then we use it until it fails. So far, since 2004 on a couple of Gen II PVS-14's, 2006 on a Gen III, and 2008 on the PVS-22.
I showed one of those units to a guy last night and realized just how beat up looking it was, but also that it still worked just fine. OK, there are some black spots in there that weren't there a couple of years ago.

On another ASM-1 note, down South in the humidity and things, using the IR pointer and illuminator for illumination, we have night bugs that fly and look like a hundred little circles when they reflect. <span style="font-weight: bold">This can be annoying as hell and I know I am not the only one who deals with this.
<span style="color: #FF0000">You never hear people talk about this kind of stuff though</span>.</span> </div></div>

Cool stuff, what about those "Lighting Bugs", at least that is what the fk'ing Yankees (like me call them), you gents call them "Fire Flies" I think.

 

[Asm1]

Re: PVS-14 problem

lol...Man them LIGHTNING BUGS bugs freak me out from time to time with Night Vision on..


Jhusky also tell them about the Giant moths,and freaking spiders!....I HAD ONE fly down in my welding hood one night...man did I Get the hell out of there,But that moth was still with me..
And The the freaking skeeters OMG!

Will be glad when fall/winter gets here! We are in BUG HELL right Now...

 

[j-huskey]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ASM1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">lol...Man them LIGHTNING BUGS bugs freak me out from time to time with Night Vision on..


Jhusky also tell them about the Giant moths,and freaking spiders!....I HAD ONE fly down in my welding hood one night...man did I Get the hell out of there,But that moth was still with me..
And The the freaking skeeters OMG!

Will be glad when fall/winter gets here! We are in BUG HELL right Now... </div></div>

The moths are some of the critters causing the illum glow circles. Bats are funnier than shit too, kinda like, where did that lightning STRIKE come from because the illum glow when they streak through is something else. The lightning bugs/fireflys remind you of muzzle flashes.
The mosquitos, well, suffer...

Spiders right now where I am, no problem. I took the bulldozer and cleared off a place to sit by the pond/swamp. Some of you would say thats extreme, BUT, Monday evening, there were five cottonmouths in the area and all I had was the AR-10... One dead, 6 shots... Yep, bulldozer makes a nice CLEAR spot to sit and wait, no spiders or snakes. Bulldozer also makes a good hunting blind.....

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mounting the old battery housing returns normal function, so the tube and the rest of the base unit seem fine.

I don't have any way to test the output voltage, but is sure looks like just low power. Fresh batteries make no change. I think I'll just send it out to Vic, which is clearly what I should have done in the first place. Sigh. </div></div>

All done yesterday. Left a VM for ya.

Your original single battery housing you purchased was the culprit. Replaced with our new unit, fired up and tested for several hours. All working as advertised with your gain control etc.

...No LIGHTNING BUGS to look at out this way last night, but spotted a few skunks with your unit! hehehe

Give me a shout when you can.

Vic

 

[Asm1]

Re: PVS-14 problem

That was fast..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor-TNVC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mounting the old battery housing returns normal function, so the tube and the rest of the base unit seem fine.

I don't have any way to test the output voltage, but is sure looks like just low power. Fresh batteries make no change. I think I'll just send it out to Vic, which is clearly what I should have done in the first place. Sigh. </div></div>

All done yesterday. Left a VM for ya.

Your original single battery housing you purchased was the culprit. Replaced with our new unit, fired up and tested for several hours. All working as advertised with your gain control etc.

...No LIGHTNING BUGS to look at out this way last night, but spotted a few skunks with your unit! hehehe

Give me a shout when you can.

Vic </div></div>

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Re: PVS-14 problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ASM1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That was fast..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor-TNVC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoryT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mounting the old battery housing returns normal function, so the tube and the rest of the base unit seem fine.

I don't have any way to test the output voltage, but is sure looks like just low power. Fresh batteries make no change. I think I'll just send it out to Vic, which is clearly what I should have done in the first place. Sigh. </div></div>

All done yesterday. Left a VM for ya.

Your original single battery housing you purchased was the culprit. Replaced with our new unit, fired up and tested for several hours. All working as advertised with your gain control etc.

...No LIGHTNING BUGS to look at out this way last night, but spotted a few skunks with your unit! hehehe

Give me a shout when you can.

Vic </div></div> </div></div>

Yea, I think Cory likes to test UPS's expedited service from his locale.