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B&W Zeppelin Air - LED flashing White - Firmware recovery failed

B&W Zeppelin Air - LED flashing White - Firmware recovery failed

After a power outage the zeppelin air with 30 pin adapter shows a flashing white light and when connecting a USB cable to my PC/MAC using the Zeppelin Air Recovery Utility - firmware update (Recovery/Restore) the LED does not change to flashing green (still flashing white)- Recovery unsuccessful unable to continue to Restore Function. Even after going through the motions several times, the light remains flashing white. The Zeppelin Air only allows me to enter Firmware update - Solid white indicator light.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 307
Total answers/comments: 5
bert [Entry]

"Taking the zeppelin air apart is very easy. But you will need to be comfortable using a soldering iron.

If you follow this guide up to step 5 first, to remove the ipod arm.

Removing Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin Air Dock Arm

Next you need to remove the speaker covers.

There is a clip holding them in. If you feel near the pointy end at the back there is a little button to press.

Hold this in, and then slide the covers outwards.

Now that the speakers are exposed, be VERY careful not to squash the tweeter cones. They are extremely fragile.

On the front you will now see 8 recessed screws. Remove them all.

on the back, near the point ends, there are 2 more screws. Remove these.

The back will now come off.

If you open it like a clamshell, you will be able to unplug the 3 cabales linking the 2 halfs.

unplug these and separate the back from the front (remember those tweeters!)

The power board is help in with 1 screw.

remove this and lift the board out.

There are 2 cables holding it to board next to it, thet you need to unclip.

There is a very good picture of the power board here:

https://www.edaboard.com/showthread.php?...

With the board out, you can now check for damage.

If you problem has been the white or red flashing light, then the problem is probably the 3 capacitors you see in a horizontal line in the upper left side of the picture.

They should be completely flat on the top. If they are domed, even slightly, it shows that the capacitors have failed.

They are Electrolytic Capacitors 1500μF 10V dc 10mm Through Hole FC Radial Series +105°C

RS components in the uk will sell you a pack of 5 for under £4.

You need to desolder the old ones, and put the new ones in (make sure they are the same way round - they have a stripe down the side)

If you have just a dead zeppelin, with no sign of life at all, then the failure is probably on the high-voltage side of the power board.

That is still fixable, but much more complicated.

Sorry I haven't yet got my photos ready to show the steps, but the 2 links should help.

Let me know how you get on."
bert [Entry]

Pls let me know how to configure it using the control PC version utility? Thanks and best regards
bert [Entry]

"Mine shows also that I should finish FW upgrade. FW upgrade made, nothing changed, just steady white light. (Bowers&WilkinsControl_1.2.4_14587.zip, can be downloaded from Official BW site, search for it, no permalink, and version may change)

It seems to be that I got the PU EL-CO fault too, after opening the coverage. They are domed, as mentioned.

See pictures attached.

Will post again when Fixed."
bert [Entry]

I have replaced the 3 1500uf 10v capacitors, and it still does the red flashing, the whole PSU board seems fine. So, the problem at least for me is something else.
bert [Entry]

"SD HD

Anyone been experiencing this issue ?

I`ve replaced the 3 capacitors often to fail if speaker have red light issue."