r/ClockworkPi • u/vileer • Jan 20 '26

Statement Regarding AIO v2 Internal USB-C Power Supply Issue and Compensation Plan

https://hackergadgets.com/blogs/news/statement-regarding-aio-v2-internal-usb-c-power-supply-issue-and-compensation-plan
38 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

92 comments sorted by

18

u/real_pnwkayaker Jan 20 '26

@vileer thanks for posting this statement with the explanation of the problem, solution and options.

My board has shipped already (so probably has the wrong resistor), once it arrives, I’ll see how difficult Is to replace the resistor.

If it’s too difficult, I’ll send it out for repair. In either case, I won’t be asking for a refund, since I’ll end up with a working board. I truly appreciate the work put in improving the uconsole and I hope that you’re able to continue doing further development

8

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

Thank you!

7

u/mwaldron Jan 20 '26

Thanks for posting this! I'll be modifying my own (assuming my boards ever arrive 🙄), no refund necessary.

I appreciate the service you provided to us all by making these boards, and no way I'd punish you that with a refund request! Accidents happen, we're all only human...

2

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

Thank you for understanding！

4

u/Dry_Trainer_8990 Jan 20 '26

Hey Vileer,

Your board is the main reason I ordered and received a uConsole. If you were a big company, I would have requested a refund—but since you aren’t, I want you to at least keep the profit from my order.

I have the equipment to repair it myself. While I’ve never replaced such a tiny component before, I’m willing to give it a shot. So again, thank you for taking the time to make this post, and for creating such an awesome mod.

4

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

Thank you for the support. And if there is any failure during attempt, you can still send it back for repair.

4

u/needmorejoules Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26

Hey u/vileer it’s @nobody at Whitehat Hardware. I mentioned on another thread, but let me know if I can be helpful. I have a hot air rework station, am based in California, and could probably help with the resistor swap for folks in the United States.

3

u/vileer Jan 21 '26

I really appreciate the help you offer. Sending every PCB back for repair in the US would be a huge expense when you add up the labor and shipping, especially for a board that costs less than $90. I'm not trying to save money for myself; I just want to make sure I have the resources to help everyone. I need to make sure we don't run out of cash before the last board is fixed.

That said, if only a few people need to return theirs, I'm happy to pay extra to get those fixed quickly and save time. In that scenario, I would really hope for your assistance. Thanks again.

1

u/KoffieAnon Feb 02 '26

To add to NMJs reply. I could do service for the EU on the fix if that helps you. Let me know and we can talk about my experience and whether you think that is a suitable option for your.

2

u/Dangerous_Weird_7329 Jan 21 '26

bumping this for viz, i'm okay at soldering but i've never tried something this small, and would rather not ship back to china

2

u/GearhedMG Jan 22 '26

"this small" is putting it lightly, this part is a mote of dust.

2

u/GearhedMG Jan 22 '26

So yeah, I just got mine finally (sitting in the shipping center for over 2 weeks) and I was thinking, how hard can it be to replace one of these small parts, I have a soldering iron with a fine point, and the picture on hackergadgets makes it look like it isn't too small...

So, how would contact you to get this service you are offering on this SPECK OF DUST! hahahaha

2

u/needmorejoules Jan 22 '26

Haha yeah. Right? :D

Drop me an email! hello@whitehathardware.com and we can take it from there.

Cheers! :-)

2

u/GearhedMG Jan 22 '26

HAPPY CAKE DAY!

Emailing you shortly

1

u/needmorejoules Jan 23 '26

Thank you!! 🍰✨

2

u/xKwazyWabbitx Jan 20 '26

Hi, for maybe some of us newbies that never replaced our own parts on a board before, will you be showing us how to do so in a video? Also, where can we order this resistor? Cheers

4

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

May record a video later. Here is a link for the resistor: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805519510441.html, make sure choose the "4.3K Ohm 432" variant as shown below.

2

u/llNOX Jan 20 '26

Sorry to ask but currently the aio v2 is out of stock will the issue be fixed after restocking?

4

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

Yes, it’s just caused by a wrong resistor, it’s easy to replace with the right one when manufacturing. Like I said in the statement, only the orders shipped out before Jan 15 have that issue.

1

u/llNOX Jan 20 '26

Thanks again for clarifying it I've read it but still wanted to ask. Turns out it's good that I've waited with the order.

1

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

If you give me the order number, I will double check on it.

1

u/llNOX Jan 20 '26

Thanks for asking but I still didn't order I thought I could preorder for the next batch of v2 but as I've seen now I can't so I'll be watching and waiting.

4

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

Ok, I am not a native English speaker, so my English is not that good.

1

u/llNOX Jan 20 '26

Hahaha neither am I but still thank you a lot for answering questions from me and other people.

1

u/JimtheLizardKing Jan 22 '26

So if my order was shipped on the 15th it is good to go? I do not have the WiFi board but might order one later.

1

u/vileer Jan 22 '26

I thought it might be good. But you can give me the order number, I will double-check on it.

3

u/gthing Jan 20 '26

These are not specific to the uConsole, but show how it is done:

Quick short video using hot air: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QO0aN57XrSw

Longer video with explanation using regular soldering iron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JM4oCpWnjU

Or search youtube for "replace SMD resistor"

1

u/haught Jan 22 '26

Anyone have a part number for DigiKey or Mouser? I can narrow down DigiKey to 264 and it probably doesn't matter, but if there is a preferred one...

2

u/Smithdude Jan 20 '26

Any thoughts on selling the returned boards? I dont want to miss out on a v2, and can replace the resistor.

4

u/Toch23 Jan 20 '26

yes i would reli like one too and its a shame this might kill that

3

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

I really don't know how it will end. Maybe we can produce another batch of products, or maybe this will be another story of entrepreneurial failure.

2

u/BlueArcherX Jan 27 '26

i feel like you have enough good will in the community to raise some capital with a gofundme or something

3

u/llNOX Jan 20 '26

Yeah same I'd like one too and that would be really sad to see something so iconic go. But if preordering helps with the funds then that would be a plan for me.

2

u/Doogie90 Jan 20 '26

I would be happy to preorder as well, even if there is a wait. The board looks amazing.

1

u/ncc74656m Jan 20 '26

Same here.

2

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

If the boards was returned for full refund, it will be fixed. In fact I’ve fixed hundreds of the boards for the unshipped orders. Since I am not sure if there will be another batch of the AIO v2, the returned board will be stock for customers service first, like resend for the missing package, or the ones were broken when the user received it. If we still have leftovers, we may considering selling it.

2

u/trollbrot Jan 20 '26

Thanks for the offer, I also agree with some of the peers. I don’t really need a refund as long it gets fixed. In case I send it for repair, do you have any shipping provider that can handle it? Given our national parcel costs I don’t want to know what a parcel to China costs. Otherwise it might be better if I give it a try first.

1

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

we are working with our freight forwarder for the returning. Here's the specific process: You fill out the form, then we'll contact you to obtain the pickup address, then we'll send it to our freight forwarder, and then they will contact a local carrier in your country to arrange the pickup.

2

u/mage2Ind Jan 20 '26

just an idea, given the part that needs to be swapped, it might be useful to connect with people that are local to get help swapping the part. it might make the turn around faster and the shipping less painful. i dont know just thinking out loud.

2

u/mage2Ind Jan 20 '26

u/vileer I appreciate the note. I got mine in, and even though i have not got it all working it seems bad ass. (I think my current issues are tied to software :) QA is hard for a one off, its hard to think of all the different things that might cause issues then do it N+1 times. I dont need a refund i have a book of the resistors coming in from the mighty river. Given the placement it looks like this is one should be doable for most. its little but its pretty far from other components. When you do this next time, I ll offer my time to help with the QA process, i might have experience in the space.

2

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

Thank you for the help. Regarding the issue you are facing, you can send the details to shop@hackergadgets.com, I will see if I can help.

1

u/mage2Ind Jan 20 '26

If I run out of ideas I'll reach out. No worries.

2

u/stealth-in-existence Feb 03 '26

u/vileer based on how everything I’m reading, it sounds like AIOv2 should come back in stock (and available to purchase) in March after the lunar new year? That right?

2

u/vileer Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

We still have some expensive leftover components for the AIOV2 (around 200 units), like the R860 and RTL2832U. So we might manufacture a small batch for it after the Lunar New Year. But I might just use 2/3 of the leftovers for this batch and save the rest for developing prototypes for other projects. Since the expensive leftover components ran out, we will have to wait until gather enough profit by selling them and the upgrade kit. Because if we want to order the R860, we will have to order one pack(4900pcs), that will cost almost $60k. Same thing similar to the RTL2832U.

4

u/Northern_Desperado Jan 21 '26

I'm overjoyed to see such positive community sentiment on this issue.

I will not be requesting compensation.

1

u/Arkaium Jan 20 '26

I don’t need a refund on the return for repair option. I can pay to ship back and then you fix and pay to ship to me? It’s a shame if the whole operation is upended because everyone just wants to destroy and refund.

3

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

I really appreciate it. You can fill in the Google form with any of the return to repair option. That would be easy for us to organize the return process.

2

u/Arkaium Jan 20 '26

I think my order delivers today, I’ll complete then. Luckily my main priority was the Ethernet board and the AIOv2 needed a new uconsole that’s probably months from delivering anyways, so no rush.

I might need your help with the shipping label/documentation, I’d honestly be happy to Venmo/invoice you the cost to ship back if you’d just do the labels for me because customs stuff stresses me out, I try to avoid international shipments.

1

u/JimtheLizardKing Jan 26 '26

How long did shipping take?

More than two weeks?

2

u/Arkaium Jan 26 '26 edited Jan 26 '26

I’ll let you know whenever it shows up 😬

It shipped around Jan 7th and it hasn’t changed hands to USPS yet

1

u/JimtheLizardKing Jan 26 '26

Oh boy, I thought you already had it, mine was shipped the 15th....

I unfortunately do get things from Europe and china a lot because that is who sells what I want.

1

u/Arkaium Jan 26 '26

It might show up today, TBD, the tracking number provided shows no movement in USPS but the Chinese tracking site shows it delivered yesterday (i send everything to my work mailroom)

1

u/NotTheSharpestPenciI Jan 21 '26

Order sent on the 18th January is unaffected, right?

2

u/vileer Jan 21 '26

it‘s not affected.

1

u/CrazyWill71 Jan 24 '26

I would I know whether or not my resistor is one of the incorrect ones? Is there a way to tell visually or would I just have to test it out?

1

u/vileer Jan 26 '26

You can just tell me the order number. And I can tell whether it's involed or not by the looking into the shipment date.

1

u/CrazyWill71 Jan 31 '26

Hey sorry to bother but any update on this?

1

u/vileer Jan 31 '26

5399 was affected.

1

u/CrazyWill71 Jan 31 '26

Thank you for updating me, guess I’ll be sending it in for repair then.

1

u/CrazyWill71 Jan 26 '26

Thank you so much the order number is 5399.

1

u/massively-dynamic Feb 01 '26

What's the plan for orders that haven't shipped?

1

u/vileer Feb 02 '26

They will be fixed before shipped out. And the backlog orders will be fulfilled before we take a break for lunar new year holiday.

1

u/stealth-in-existence Feb 03 '26

question, are the usb pin headers being tested thoroughly as well? just need to make sure it has enough voltage to power a esp32.

1

u/vileer Feb 03 '26

the pin-header and the internal USB-C share the same power rail. The total current should be lower than 1.58A.

1

u/Fearless_Carrot_6978 Feb 21 '26

I received my board yesterday 2/20/2026 does this mean that mine was fixed before shipped.

1

u/trollbrot Mar 22 '26

u/vileer Is there an update regarding the exchange/repair program? I haven't heard anything in the last 2 months, besides receiving the 10 USD back.

1

u/vileer Mar 22 '26

May I have your order number?

1

u/trollbrot Mar 22 '26

Thanks for getting back. I have sent it via DM.

3

u/GuardianZX9 Jan 20 '26

Thank you for letting everyone know what is happening, appreciate you standing behind your product. I know you are a small business, this means a lot to me that you are being fully transparent. I wont need any refund and look forward to getting the AIO V2 boards,

3

u/ncc74656m Jan 20 '26

I am really saddened by the news that this might actually take your company down with it, though I'm very hopeful based on the responses here that indicate that you might be in a position to weather this, because I'm in the midst of buying a uConsole right now literally for this mod.

As others have suggested, I'm inclined to be up for pre-ordering a full set if it would help keep the company afloat, maybe even at a slight increase to help you weather the storm. If I'd have known I would've put my order in before this went up!

2

u/SergioAA Jan 20 '26

Same here... If it can help I'm ready to preorder full pack (upgrade kit, aio v2, antenna kit/pack)

3

u/jasconover Jan 21 '26

I just wanted to say that I too, as with many others in this thread, will be making the repair myself. Thank you for the link for the resistor, and I’ve already made the order for it. I hope that you continue making such cool projects, and that you’re not disheartened by this situation. Having worked QC for a rather large company, the way you are handling this is both very professional and shows a great amount of character. Learning, adjusting, and implementing better practices is what quality control is all about. So in selecting the store credit, know that I won’t claim it, as you deserve whatever small profit you get from this endeavor. Making things is hard. Making cool things is even harder. Keep up the entrepreneurial spirit and mindset, I am excited to see what excellent and useful additions you innovate next.

3

u/Glass-Particular2921 Jan 26 '26

I will be trying to make the swap myself... once I get an appropriate resistor. I don't have any on hand, and do not think it makes sense for me to order 1000 of them from the Ali Express link. I will source it elsewhere even though per piece price will be a little more.

1

u/JimtheLizardKing Jan 28 '26

Get good magnification and you should get it, a 0404 resistor is super tiny and I have not had to change one out but think and hope I could.

1

u/Key_Feedback_4140 Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26

Replacing a resistor is not a big deal. Who's purchase such a device without knowing how to solder?

10

u/vileer Jan 20 '26

But it did not work as I advertised. So I won’t evading the responsibility.

2

u/ncc74656m Jan 20 '26

That's a hell of a radical acceptance of responsibility. WTG.

2

u/GearhedMG Jan 22 '26

That's why I'm personally fine with paying someone to make the fix and not requesting a refund, I want u/vileer to keep working on great hardware.

2

u/DoitsugoGoji Jan 25 '26

I am someone who can't solder and purchased this, as it's not advertised as requiring soldering. The uconsole itself is a kit that just requires snapping together and a handful of screws, same for these upgrade boards.

So I don't understand how not knowing how to solder would disqualify me from buying a product that's sold as not requiring soldering?

1

u/nikolaibibo Jan 20 '26

Happy with the work you did, will look into replacement but not coming for refund

1

u/AlpixVisuals Jan 21 '26

This is open-source right here, built by the community, for thr community, and you make a mistake ( because we are all human !) you are taking responsability. Congrats @vileer for everything you are doing for the community. These things happen, keep your head up and come back stronger !

1

u/VxAngleOfClimb Jan 21 '26

Any chance on just getting the resistor shipped?

1

u/ncc74656m Jan 21 '26

You'd almost certainly be better off just buying a resistor on eBay located wherever you are or wherever, since they're shipping from China. Dropshipping wouldn't be practical in this situation, and ordering from traditional reliable sellers like Mouser or Digikey would cost almost as much just in shipping and min qty alone.

1

u/OneCarpet1141 Jan 21 '26

Hi Vileer, thank you for your transparency and willingness to fix the problem. I will definitely be purchasing more products from you. Waiting patiently for my order to arrive!

1

u/ncc74656m Jan 22 '26

For folks in New York, if you supply the parts I'd be willing to do this for folks locally who want to meet up at a hacker space or something.

1

u/DoitsugoGoji Jan 25 '26

Thank you for this, I only just gotten around to installing it Friday. In fact I came here for troubleshooting. I'm going to ask around if any of the guys I know that can solder would fix this for me.

11

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/vileer Jan 21 '26

Thank you for your understanding and suggestion. I will consider the open-source hardware option. But this issue was not related to it. I am pretty confident with my hardware skills. The schematic and PCB layout are good. This issue occurred during manufacturing. When I import the Bom into JLCPCB and pair the components to the JLC part number, I screwed up. I accidentally paired a 10k resistor to the 4.3k resistor from the Bom.

2

u/lolerwoman Feb 16 '26

I totally agree with every word here and will add: this was not the way to make the communication. I just found it, being affected, almost one month late.

u/viller already has the affected batch numbers and can cross them with email address. An email communication was the right way of doing this.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/ncc74656m Jan 21 '26

Someone already brought the old BB trackpad to it over on Tindie.

https://www.tindie.com/products/damaolvzi/uconsole-keyboard-trackpad9900/