Author Topic: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack  (Read 3363 times)

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Offline Autofill

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12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« on: December 13, 2021, 11:08:34 AM »
Hi, just got on the list as a backer for the Wittboy and also got the 10M Extension Cord Cable with adaptor, due to the cold climate.

I don't have AC power near where the Wittboy will be installed, however, I do have a solar panel system which charges a 12V Lithium battery.

May I simply just use the 12V supplied from my lithium battery (i.e. skipping the AC part)? Simple connecting the 2 pin wire to the positive and negative of the battery terminals. The battery can vary in voltage from 12.5 to 14.8V.

If not, do I need some sort of 12V voltage regulator?

Thanks
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2021, 12:00:26 PM »
something like this, a DC-DC converter, output 12V, 5A

DROK Waterproof 60W Automatic Step Up/Down Voltage Regulator Stabilizer 10V-36V to 12V 5A

 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B018WZK5XQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_i_0GZAZ94MZBBBDV3DBD2M

Would this work for the heater?
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Online Rover1822

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2021, 12:24:51 PM »
I run into this a lot with security cameras that I have running off a large battery bank. Generally I use a regulator to convert the nominal voltage to a flat output voltage as I do not know what they have on board the devices for voltage regulation. More than likely it could take the nominal supply voltage fluctuations, but why take the chance? And the regs, as previously mentioned, are easy to find without building your own, just have to make sure you keep under the current limits, I like to stay under 50% of the max of the regulator.
Ambient:
  WS-2000
  PM 2.5(2)
  WH31B(2)
  WH40E
  WH31P
EcoWitt:
  GW1100
  GW1000(4)
  WH31(2)
  WH57
  WH51(12),
  WH40
  WH5360B
  WN34S
  WittBoy WS90 + GW2000
  WS90 (other one) + GW1100
Personal Sites: Weather Cam

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2021, 12:31:09 PM »
thanks, Rover. That makes sense. I just purchased the one in the link. It outputs 5A, and the power supply that comes with the Wittboy/WS90 is 2A (max), so I should be well below the 50% capcacity of the regulator. Great, thanks for confirming this.

This specific reulator also has an 8A overcurrent protection, so I may not even have to fuse the wire as it will be directly connected to the my batter terminals.

Now....just have to wait for the Wittboy program to end
« Last Edit: December 13, 2021, 12:33:35 PM by Autofill »
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Online Rover1822

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2021, 12:38:52 PM »
thanks, Rover. That makes sense. I just purchased the one in the link. It outputs 5A, and the power supply that comes with the Wittboy/WS90 is 2A (max), so I should be well below the 50% capcacity of the regulator. Great, thanks for confirming this.

This specific reulator also has an 8A overcurrent protection, so I may not even have to fuse the wire as it will be directly connected to the my batter terminals.

Now....just have to wait for the Wittboy program to end

Always fuse!
Ambient:
  WS-2000
  PM 2.5(2)
  WH31B(2)
  WH40E
  WH31P
EcoWitt:
  GW1100
  GW1000(4)
  WH31(2)
  WH57
  WH51(12),
  WH40
  WH5360B
  WN34S
  WittBoy WS90 + GW2000
  WS90 (other one) + GW1100
Personal Sites: Weather Cam

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2021, 12:44:12 PM »
You're right. consider it done.
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2021, 03:23:12 PM »
I was able to install the DC-DC voltage regulator. It pumps out a stable 12.25V (and its -27oC now) as shown here, with a 7.5 amp fuse.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

When the wittboy with power pack comes in, i'll have to cut off one of the ends and change to a quick connect (male)

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

I'm try to see the photo of the AC adapter to determin the polarity of the wire....hard to see from the photos, but looks like

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

looks like with notch at the top, its negative on right, and positive on right...I'll confirm when the unit comes in
« Last Edit: December 17, 2021, 03:24:45 PM by Autofill »
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Online Rover1822

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2021, 03:34:08 PM »
I'm am a little confused (which is better than normal), the power supply in the lower pic is a 10W , (2A @ 5V). Is your use just for the wires?
Or have I missed the boat entirely?


Ambient:
  WS-2000
  PM 2.5(2)
  WH31B(2)
  WH40E
  WH31P
EcoWitt:
  GW1100
  GW1000(4)
  WH31(2)
  WH57
  WH51(12),
  WH40
  WH5360B
  WN34S
  WittBoy WS90 + GW2000
  WS90 (other one) + GW1100
Personal Sites: Weather Cam

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2021, 03:38:21 PM »
yes, sorry, I see the confusion.

the power supply for the WS90/Wittboy is NOT 5V, its 12V. I used the wrong picture because there is no 12V picture on the ecowitt.com website, even thought it clearly says its 12V

For example, see this:

https://www.ecowitt.com/shop/goodsDetail/87

The photo says 5V on the AC Adapter, but the decription says 12V, 1A.

This is the confusion.

Oh, and the fuse(?) is for the wires that is connected to the battery terminals.
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Online Rover1822

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2021, 03:40:40 PM »
yes, sorry, I see the confusion.

the power supply for the WS90/Wittboy is NOT 5V, its 12V. I used the wrong picture because there is no 12V picture on the ecowitt.com website, even thought it clearly says its 12V

For example, see this:

https://www.ecowitt.com/shop/goodsDetail/87

The photo says 5V on the AC Adapter, but the decription says 12V, 1A.

This is the confusion.

Oh, and the fuse(?) is for the wires that is connected to the battery terminals.

Sorry, no issue, lol. Cool on the fuse
With the draw at 12 Nominal I would probably have gone down to 5A (or a 2/2.5),  You do want to get as close as possible to max draw current level and  some buffer, But I think  the 7.5 will be fine, if there is a serious fault, depends on your comfort level. I use a number of those exact or similar reg units, they do go on occasion, but mine are open to the elements in some cases. From just my experience, they do not short out , which is good.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2021, 03:48:14 PM by Rover1822 »
Ambient:
  WS-2000
  PM 2.5(2)
  WH31B(2)
  WH40E
  WH31P
EcoWitt:
  GW1100
  GW1000(4)
  WH31(2)
  WH57
  WH51(12),
  WH40
  WH5360B
  WN34S
  WittBoy WS90 + GW2000
  WS90 (other one) + GW1100
Personal Sites: Weather Cam

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2021, 04:01:22 PM »
I can easily put a 5 amp ATM blade fuse, i have a ton of them.

I only put 7.5 amp only because the wire is 12 guage and the DC-DC unit has an 8 amp cut off also (and other protections "With Intelligent temperature, over-heat, short circuit and transient absorption high Voltage protection, more safe to use"), and being a heater is involved with this, I wonder if spikes can occur which are more than 5 amps when it starts up...but it could be trial and error here.

I'll likely change it because I was also on the fence between 7.5 and 5 (I wouldn't go to 2 amp though as I might get nussiance trips).
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Online Rover1822

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2021, 04:12:30 PM »
I can easily put a 5 amp ATM blade fuse, i have a ton of them.

I only put 7.5 amp only because the wire is 12 guage and the DC-DC unit has an 8 amp cut off also (and other protections "With Intelligent temperature, over-heat, short circuit and transient absorption high Voltage protection, more safe to use"), and being a heater is involved with this, I wonder if spikes can occur which are more than 5 amps when it starts up...but it could be trial and error here.

I'll likely change it because I was also on the fence between 7.5 and 5 (I wouldn't go to 2 amp though as I might get nussiance trips).
As this is a purely resistive heater load, 2A would have been fine. Not like worrying about inrush current for a motor or compressor.
Ambient:
  WS-2000
  PM 2.5(2)
  WH31B(2)
  WH40E
  WH31P
EcoWitt:
  GW1100
  GW1000(4)
  WH31(2)
  WH57
  WH51(12),
  WH40
  WH5360B
  WN34S
  WittBoy WS90 + GW2000
  WS90 (other one) + GW1100
Personal Sites: Weather Cam

Online Rover1822

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2021, 04:28:48 PM »
For reference, this is my DC panel., some 12V, some 24v, panel. Fed off a solar/wind  battery bank. You can see my fuse bars.
I love playing with this stuff :)

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

I take this serious
 
Ambient:
  WS-2000
  PM 2.5(2)
  WH31B(2)
  WH40E
  WH31P
EcoWitt:
  GW1100
  GW1000(4)
  WH31(2)
  WH57
  WH51(12),
  WH40
  WH5360B
  WN34S
  WittBoy WS90 + GW2000
  WS90 (other one) + GW1100
Personal Sites: Weather Cam

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2021, 05:05:27 PM »
this is pretty serious nice wrok with your DC panel!  [tup]

I always thought that even resistive heaters have a big jump in current when they are first turned on. But things like temperature coefficient of the material and high temperature are factors in this.

Anyways, your point is well taken because even if the heater does spike, it should be momentarily and not enough to blow a fuse because those take seconds or minutes to blow, otherwise we would blow a fuse everytime we turned on an old  light bulb!

But, I like your approach of limiting what can go wrong, so I will lower the fuse to a 2 amp fuse.

thanks again, Rover
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Offline alfredo

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #14 on: June 30, 2022, 05:42:57 PM »
Resurrecting this topic, as I'm buying a wittboy and have AC nearby, and would like to power it with a 12VDC adapter I already own, rather than using their (waaay expensive) cabling and power supply.

Now, my 2 questions would be:

1) is the connector on the wittboy any standard, so I can buy the mating connector at a components store; or shall I better cut the wire and replace the connector with any standard water-resistant one?

2) on the wittboy, how would I tell which cable is the + and which is the GND? (trying not to fry it the first days of usage ;-) )

Anyone owning a wittboy could maybe lend a hand? Thanks in advance!

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #15 on: June 30, 2022, 06:10:46 PM »
This is a good mod. Had I known I would have saved myself from buying the Ecowitt acdc adapter which is now sitting in a box in my basement minus the connector wire which is all that you need. You can actually buy this wire alone but believe it or not it's as expensive as the AC adapter by itself.

1. I cut one of the ends off the ecowitt wire and just wired
that to my 12 volt DC power source using this.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

2. On the Wittboy itself there's only one way the connector goes and then on the other end of the cut cable, there's a couple of ways you can check polarity. You can strip the outer sheathing of the wire you'll see the red and black cable. The second way is, look at the adapter itself it tells you which pin is positive and which pin is negative ( check for the little symbol beside the certifications). I confirmed this with the voltmeter just to be certain, I'd recommend you do the same in case somebody switched the red and black wires at the factory by accident.

Let me know if something doesn't make sense.

My unit's been running on DC power provided by an off-grid solar system for months now without any issues.

If you decide to take the batteries out which is what I did, you will always have a low battery indicator on the unit. This is normal design and operation confirmed by Ecowitt so you can ignore it.

Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Offline alfredo

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #16 on: June 30, 2022, 06:56:26 PM »
Thanks Autofill! That's all clear and that was fast! :-)

Nice the wires on the wittboy are properly colored, that probably puts the entire question to sleep already. Yet, to minimize any uncertainty (and maybe for future reference for others considering this mod), could you help me fully track the polarity. What I have in mind is as follows (with a few blanks you may help filling):

1) The ecowitt-provided power supply is a Rico RKPO one. They all seem to be using the same connector. This ebay listing (https://www.ebay.com/itm/154909832703) provides nice pictures of the connector, both physical and on the power supply label. Specifically, if you look at the power supply connector as in the picture below, when then "cut part" of the connector is facing upward, the + pole is on the right (as per the diagram on the label, as well)

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

2) Now, on the ecowitt-provided cable (picture below, retaken from previous post). The male end connects to the power supply. The female end connects to the wittboy. Can you help mapping the right/left pins on each side of the connector?

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

3) Once the question in 2) is answered, we definitely know which pin is + (and which is GND) on the wittboy connector. "Problem solved" :-)

Hope this is not giving you headache :-)

Offline Autofill

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #17 on: June 30, 2022, 08:26:34 PM »
No problem. I believe this should anwer your questions, but confirm your's with a voltmeter.

Here are the Ecowitt supplied parts

The adapter:

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

The wire that I cut, both showing the cut end and the part that goes into the AC/DC adapter:

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Ecowitt WH2320-E
Ecowitt HP2551-C (SOLD - replaced with Home Assistant Fully Kiosk FireTab HD10)
Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt GW1100
Ecowitt WH69E
Ecowitt WH32B
Ecowitt WH57 (x3)
Ecowitt WH51 (x6)
Ecowitt WH41
Ecowitt WH41 (Honeywell-based USB/Supercap modified)
Ecowitt WH31 (x8)
Ecowitt WH55 (x4)
Ecowitt WH45
Ecowitt WN34S (x2)
Ecowitt WN35
Ecowitt Wittboy running on 12VDC  solar power

Offline alfredo

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2022, 05:28:24 PM »
Hi all,

I finally got my Wittboy WS90 station, and I've confirmed the polarity on the 12VDC plug on the WS90 device itself. Sharing here for future reference. An annotated pic should hopefully work more than a thousand words :-)

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Offline matthew1975

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #19 on: October 21, 2022, 10:15:55 AM »
Hi All, anyone know what the connector is called so I can get some and make my own cable up for the ecowitt ws90 heater

Offline Gyvate

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #20 on: October 21, 2022, 03:14:46 PM »
there is a (or even 2) respective thread(s ) in the forum for the WS80 heater (cable and power supply are the same) - just enter "power supply" or "ws80 heater" into the forum board search
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Ecowitt WS90(2)1.3.5/1.4.0, WS80(2)1.2.5, WS68, WS69, WH40, WH31, WH31-EP, WN30, WN34L, WN35, WH32, WH32-EP, WH32B, WH57 [Lightning], WH41 [PM2.5], WH51, WH45, WH55
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Offline alfredo

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Re: 12V DC input for Wittboy/WS90 heater power pack
« Reply #21 on: October 25, 2022, 03:37:32 PM »
I purchased this 2-pin microphone connector (https://www.e-merchan.com/cominimc42.html) from a local electronics shop. Also attaching pic here for future reference.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

It fits pretty much ok, with a couple of notes:
- The holes of the connector (actually, the metal female sockets inside) are a bit tight for the size of the WS90 connector pins. So I removed the metal female sockets from the black plastic housing, and gently forced a nail to open them a bit. It now fits just the right tight.
- The black plastic housing has the "dent" (to couple it with the male connector) at the wrong angle. So I simply took a Dremel, and carved the "dent" in the position where it should be. Works like a charm.

I have now had this for the last couple of months working with no issues. Hope this helps!

 

anything