5v Rio short

[Mentor3667]

We are showing a 5v short in our Rio after only using it for two practice matches.  We were able to limp through our competition with it but need to get it fixed before our next comp.  We have taken off the cover and sprayed with compressed air, both the ports and the board.  The driver station still shows a short, the power LED is red and we measured 1ohm across the 5v rail.  What should our next step be?

[JessNI]

Hi Mentor3667,

My name is Jessica, I'm with NI. A solid red power light is the RoboRIO telling you it's detecting a shorted power rail, it is likely that residual shavings may have found their way into the casing, causing this concern.

Can you open the device (again) using the four screws on the back and the two screws at the power port and clean the circuit board off using compressed air? Also, if possible, using a flashlight to inspect the board closely for any remaining metal shards. You can try the following:

1. Turning the RoboRIO upside down and shaking it vigorously.
2. Vacuuming out the ports on the RoboRIO.
3. Use canned air or compressed air to clear the hardware pinouts.
4. Check with a flashlight for material making contact in the port pinouts.

[Mentor3667]

All of the above has been done.  It still reads a red LED, 5v rail short.

[JessNI]

Hi Mentor3667,

I've sent you a direct message to coordinate the repair.