Repairing Sansa Clip+

[Equilibrium]

Greetings, and thanks to anyone who can provide guidance.

A long time ago, i dropped my Sansa Clip+ annoyingly i had only ever dropped it this one time, and as fate would have it the unit landed on the power button and pushed it into the clamshell case.

I researched online and opened the MP3 player as recommended; on opening i remember noticing a tiny peice of what i thought was plastic fall to the ground, to be forever lost.

I repositioned the power button, however the player would not power up.

I have examined the internals of the replacement Clip+ i purchased, and additionally referred to the Rockbox forum here with photos on the Clip+ PCB as well as other sources.

Further inspection of the broken Sansa`s PCB board revealed that the component highlighted in the image attached, has been broken of when the power button was forced into the enclosure

From my own research and testing with a multimeter on the replacement player, this missing component appears to be a Diode, as it produces a forward voltage of 0.6V and a reverse voltage of OL or 0V on the meter, although perhaps i am wrong?

I have used a magnifying glass and very strong light to try and identify any markings, on the component it is possibly a 0102 SMD type or similar, I think i can just make out the number 1 then possibly 4.

If i am correct, research indicates this might be a 14N Type Diode.

Can anyone help i wonder, is this a diode? and if so what diode value or part number do i need to replace, i really don’t want to bin the unit just because of this issue.



Thanks for any help.

[saratoga]

SMD diodes are black plastic rectangles with metal wires coming out of them. Nothing else looks like one. It's hard to tell in that picture due to the resolution but it does look like a diode. If you measure the pads you can figure out the size (maybe sod123?). Do you have any idea which way it was pointed?

[Equilibrium]

Hello Saratoga,

Thanks for the reply.

Apologies for the low resolution image, I wanted to post a high quality JPG or PNG to get clear imaging, but i am limited to a 256kB file size.

I have a decent SLR camera, and an it will do handheld camera, not sure if i could get it to focus that close without a macro lens but i could give it a try, the only problem is i wouldn't be able to upload the image because of upload file size limitations.

I have measured the suspected diodes pads pitch length using my engineering verniers, with the assistance of my helping hands magnyfying glass.

Length on the pad comes to roughly 0.040 inch /- 1mm
For the width i  measured the identical looking still attached SMD component as shown in the image i attached on my initial first post.

Width of the component comes out at 0.020 inch /- 0.5mm

Incidentally the length and width measurement of the identical looking still attached SMD component is the same as the missing one.

I don't know the original polarity of the missing possible diode, only the polarity of the identical still attached one.

If with your help, i can figure out the value i will crack open the replacement i have and test, before soldering on as wouldn`t want to damage anything else on the PCB with a reverse polarity mistake, unless it would be helpful in problem solving to find this out now?

I am however now convinced that their are markings on the other identical looking non missing one, but cannot make them out or see the bar / stripe that normally, but not allways; runs across a diode.

If i had a reasonable microscope or even a better magnyfying glass i reckon i could read the code.

Thanks again for your time.

[vitt13]

The code is G2

[vitt13]

If i had a reasonable microscope or even a better magnyfying glass i reckon i could read the code.

I use the lens extracted from laser head of old/broken DVD-RW drive with smartphone camera.

Here is someone's video https://youtu.be/auQwOtrUN5A?t=673

[Bilgus]

vitt, it almost looks like you need a magnifying glass to see the lens

I'm not sure which diodes are used to multiplex the buttons but if it is in the button path likely you won't hurt anything
if you were to get the diode backward
edit: ( after seeing vitts datasheet its likely not in the button path )

[Equilibrium]

Hello Vitt13, and Bilgus.

Thank you both for resolving this, your technical diagnostic input, really clear images of the diodes, and diode technical specifications datasheet is greatly appreciated.

Vitt13, i have to say your solution using a DVD/RW lens to magnify the image via a smartphone camera is inspired.

I was thinking of trying two magnyfying glasses stacked, purchasing one of the Beileshi LED Light Soldering Station Magnifying Glass, or one of the alternatives, or trying the cameras i have stacked with the current magnyfying glass.

Now that i have seen these soldering stations, i think i am going to research them more and invest anyway, as i fairly frequently do electronics soldering.

Bilgus, thanks for your technical input on the circuit / button path, it would have taken me considerable effort and time to figure that information out.

The missing diodes forward voltage orientation is obvious now thanks to the clear picture Vitt13, has provided.

Could i ask for one final confirmation on the replacement diode type i will require, as shown on the diode specifications datasheet provided.

Looking at this datasheet, i am fairly confident that to repair i would likely need one of the below:

CZRV5227B-G - Cmc - SOD-323 - 3.42~3.78V - 24 Ohm - Izt20mA - 200mW
CZRW5227B-G - Cmc - SOD-123 - 3.42~3.78V - 24 Ohm - Izt20mA - 500mW
MMSZ5227BS - Di - SOD-323 - 3.6V - 24 Ohm - 200mW
MMSZ5227B - Di - SOD-123 - 3.6V - 24 Ohm - 500mW

My intuition tells me one of these is correct perhaps the 500mW options would be in order, or am i completely wrong?

Would it be practical, and (safe) to measure the current flowing through the diode with my multimeter whilst the Sansa is powered on, to determine the mA value requirement?

I could do this with the working replacement Sansa Clip+ or currently broken player i have.

I located information online that suggests this is possible by measuring the current flowing through the circuit, just before it passes through the diode itself.

Apparently this should be the mA rating i would require, however i suspect this will be much more complicated and involved than the article described.

The diode package type measured with my engineering verbiers @ 0.040Inch /- 1mm x 0.020Inch /- 0.5mm according to Google and specification data sheets makes this diode a 0402 type, and will be very challenging to solder however nothing is impossible.

Thanks again for your time and effort everyone.

[vitt13]

MMSZ5227B in datasheet has size of 2.5mm.
The G2 diode size I measured is about 1mm without pads. So it's not SOD-123, it's something like SOD-523 or other case.

[Equilibrium]

Thank you Saratoga, Bilgus and Vitt13.

I will find the appropriate recommended diode online and get the Sansa fixed.

I watched the Youtube video link provided by Vitt13, were Randontronic; uses a DVD/RW lens with a mobile / smartphone to act as a microscope / macro / micro lens, this is very useful and i shall be doing this myself.

At the same time i am swapping out for a new battery, as the old lithium poly installed was swollen badly.

This may already be on the forum somewhere however i have measuring the abslolute maximum internal space available, and listed details below for anyone who might find it useful, along with the suitable replacement battery part numbers.

Note: The depth could be increased by carefully sanding the inside of the bottom half of the clamshell case, using mild grit sandpaper fixed with double sided carpet tape to a small peice of flat rigid plastic / metal.

Internal Maximum Depth /- 3.56mm
Internal Maximum Width /- 29.72mm
Internal Maximum Length /- 38.01mm

Replacement battery part numbers:

362937 /- 3 Wire Type ~ 350mA
323036 /- OEM Fitted 3 Wire Tyoe ~ 290mA
303035 /- 3 Wire Type ~ 300mA

I am creating a guide on this with the above information and will upload to the forum if possible once completed.

Once again thanks for the help all.

[Equilibrium]

A quick update.

Have kept looking online evry two weeks or so for the diode i require to fix the Sansa Clip+

Whilst i have found them from the main suppliers, Farnell, Digikey, RS Components, Mouser, ect; the delivery charges are extortionate, ranging from a minimum of £11.94 delivery + £0.31p per diode.

Ebay and Amazon, are also expensive £5.95 per diode.

Aliexpress has them listed cheaper, however; i don't trust that i would receive the correct value or type of diode, given some of the reviews and feedback i have seen and read, wouldn`t be an issue if i had a decent LCR meter, but i dont.

For the record the missing diode package type fitted is as identified by Vitt13 a SOD523 package type, also known i believe by the package type monikers 0603 /- SC79 /- 923 & 0402

Similar diode package sizes to the SOD523 size are SOD323 /- 0805 & SOD923 which can be used as an alternative.

Specifications required thanks to, and as mentioned in the posts by other forum members.

SOD523 /- SOD323 /- SOD923 Zener Diode Type ~ Power Rectifier
3.6V FV ~ Forward Voltage
500mW PD ~ Power Delivery

Chances are i will bite the bullet & buy a few despite the price, then as mentione in previous posts will sort out the battery replacement / upgrade guide as mentioned.