Cradlepoint CTR-350 Dead

wtleaver · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject: Cradlepoint CTR-350 Dead

My CTR-350 died today - a short three week life. Awesome product, and I hope this is a one time fluke rather than an indication of poor quality.

I had it mounted in the rear of our van, plugged into a cigarette light style power source. It's a switched outlet, so anytime the van is shut off or started, it goes through a power cycle. I don't know if that's a problem - but obviously shouldn't be for a product marketed as a mobile router.

When powered on, the router power light lights up, and the WLAN and USB lights flash together every 4 seconds. Their is no SSID broadcast from the device. I've reset the router to no effect.

Is this something that 3gstore will handle, or must I send it back to the manufacturer?

3Gstore · EVDO Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 3171

it is something 3gstore handles on your behalf.

you should count on calling tech support first thing monday.

in the meantime, just because i'm curious, can you:

-- use the a/c adapter it ships with.
-- reset to factory defaults.
-- see if it comes back to life.

thanks for choosing 3gstore.com

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

As a Sunday Only test, why not bring it inside and test it on your house current. If it now works OK, chances are what ever you are connecting it to in the car has a problem.

You might also consider a surge protector/battery backup for those conditions. I don't know if a car will generate enough of a surge on startup to damage your equipment but I know the household ac can after a power outage. The off switch breaks the circuit and protects the electronics. Sometimes this is enough to protect your house hold appliances and in others instances you have to go to the fuse box and break the circuits. The fuse box routine is always recommended during a hurricane when the lights go out.

visortgw · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject:

I had a similar occurrence a few weeks back. I am guessing that it is a defective device, not caused by the power supply that you are using. Apparently, CradlePoint was supplied with some defective WiFi radios that were used in some of the CTR-350s that are randomly failing (which they have since addressed). I have to admit that their customer support in obtaining a replacement was absolutely the best that I have seen -- I had a new one the following day!

wtleaver · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject:

Well, I finally got around to calling 3gstore, (been really busy), and after some troubleshooting, they're contacting Cradlepoint to replace the unit. Resetting and powering from the wall adapter didn't make any difference - the unit is just dead.

I'm looking forward to a replacement, as this is a very cool router for travelling.

Torrey · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject:

My pleasure working with you "WTLeaver"! Sorry that your unit had a defective WiFi radio, but your replacement is already on the way! Very Happy

At 3Gstore.com we have direct contacts at CradlePoint, so if you do end up having to get a replacement, we handle all the replacement work for you & get it replaced quickly! Cool

wtleaver · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks Torrey. I did get the replacement the next day, and it's working great. It's a great device, and I appreciate the great service from 3gstore.

bill_best · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 15

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

The new one has a two hour battery.

To prevent the cutoff when you stop the car, you might add a ups and connect to that, assuming it will work ok with the car power and an inverter. A cheap APC ups will probably power the router for a week or two or three.

bill_best · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 15