Troubleshooting – No Camera Video On Monitor

If you don't see the camera’s image on your monitor, follow these troubleshooting steps to identify the issue. If your equipment requires service, refer to this article.

Monitor

1. Power on the monitor and observe the screen: 
   • Completely black – monitor requires service.
   • RIDGID logo during start up – screen is working, continue with troubleshooting.
2. RIDGID CA-350 or CA-300 handheld monitor for microReel, microDrain, or nanoReel – see this article for specific troubleshooting steps:
   https://help.seesnake.com/support/solutions/articles/150000185711-troubleshooting-ca-350-microreel-microdrain-nanoreel
3. Cross-test – connect your camera to different (working), if the camera fails continue troubleshooting.

System Interconnect Cord

1. Check cord and connections:
   • Connections – snug at both ends?
   • Flex the cord near each connector – do the lights or camera image flicker?
   • If needed, cords are user-replaceable: https://help.seesnake.com/support/solutions/articles/150000188177-seesnake-interconnect-cord-reference
     
2. Check slip ring cartridge – if your reel uses the round slip ring cartridge, remove it and examine the six contact pins for damage. Handle with care to avoid damaging the pins.
   
3. Warped case (microREEL, microDRAIN, NANOreel, and rM200) – press the slip ring cartridge inward, if it deflects and you see camera LEDs and video, the case is warped (user replaceable):
   • microREEL, microDRAIN, NANOreel housing assembly, CAT # 35438.
   • rM200 housing assembly, CAT # 48598.

Pushrod/Spring Termination

1. Check the spring assembly, from the camera head to the spring/pushrod termination:
   1. Hold the pushrod right behind the spring and tap the camera head into the palm of your hand with moderate force. Do the camera lights or video flicker on/off?
      • YES – remove and test the camera head and FleXmitter sonde (see below).
      • NO – continue troubleshooting.
   2. Hold the pushrod behind the spring in one hand and grasp the spring in your other hand. Flex the spring in all directions – does the lighting and/or camera image flicker on/off?
      • YES or NO – remove and test the camera head and FleXmitter sonde (see below).
      • If the camera head and sonde test OK, the issue is likely in the termination wiring or the pushrod, have the reel examined by a repair technician. 
2. Check the Pushrod for damage (optional, to confirm pushrod damage and determine whether to repair or replace the pushrod assembly):
   1. Examine the pushrod for kinks, cuts, and deep abrasions. If damage is found flex that area of the pushrod – does the lighting and/or camera image flicker on/off?
      • Yes – your pushrod is damaged. It can be repaired by cutting off the damaged portion and installing a new termination. If the amount remaining after the repair is too short to be useful, consider replacing the pushrod.

Camera Head and Sonde

Written steps below or skip to the bottom for videos.

1. Camera head (all cameras but microDRAIN or nanoREEL) – remove the head and plug it directly into the monitor
   • If you lost the spanner wrench that came with your camera:
     https://help.seesnake.com/support/solutions/articles/150000190217-seesnake-spanner-wrench-listing-cat-numbers
   • NEVER USE PLIERS TO REMOVE THE CAMERA HEAD FROM THE SPRING! If you do so you will unscrew the front bezel, exposing the internals to environmental humidity (lens will fog during use). ALWAYS use the spanner wrench to remove the head.
   • If the LED lights are on and you see the camera image on your monitor tap the camera head gently to see if the lights/image flicker off/on (if they do your camera head requires service)
2. FleXmitter sonde (all cameras but microREEL, microDRAIN, and NANOreel)
   
   1. Remove the spring to expose the sonde (see videos below)
      • If the sonde is loose or unplugged plug it back in
      • The connection is secured by a plastic clip, if the clip is missing order a new one
      • NOTE: the clip is designed to break away and allow the sonde to unplug if the safety cable fails
   2. Plug the camera head into the sonde and flex the wires at each connector – do the LEDs or camera image flicker ON/OFF?
      1. YES = faulty sonde (user-replaceable)
      2. NO camera/lights = continue testing
   3. Unplug the sonde and plug the camera into the cord assembly and flex the connections
      1. YES lights and image = faulty sonde (user replaceable)
      2. NO lights or image = issue with the pushrod and/or camera reel (service center)
         
      3. Lights or image flicker ON/OFF = issue with spring/pushrod termination (service center)
         
   4. The FleXmitter is user-replaceable with moderate difficulty, however two versions are available; your local service center can order the correct part and install it for you (recommended)

VIDEOS – how to remove, test and reinstall the camera head, spring, and sonde:

1. Overview – process and tools
   • https://youtu.be/Tk2j2ttL_F8?si=y1MAte0Sb8FpH7xA
2. Remove the camera head – 1^ststep
   • https://youtu.be/hq_StLlLhhY?si=hUaq0Fr2yRg2Jm4f
3. Test the camera, cord, and sonde
   • https://youtu.be/eaJvBvw8xzU?si=V8jc4bpCofvvMdx0
   • Camera head – test 1^st, you need a working head to test everything else
     • If faulty, have it serviced
     • If OK, test the cord next
   • Cord – you can only test cords that have a 3-pin connector at both ends
     • If faulty, replace
     • If OK, remove the spring and remove/test the sonde
4. Remove the spring (if needed)
   • https://youtu.be/NZiZWmrmHIE?si=LQKhfAvun1-4bMZp
5. Remove the FleXmitter sonde (if needed)
   • https://youtu.be/gTllji42um8?si=pA6ajAIf6vNDzANc
6. Install the sonde
   • https://youtu.be/GCV-7AqXKjo?si=x1h2XWs-KvXjL4HJ
7. Install the spring – if you removed the spring WATCH to avoid mistakes!
   • https://youtu.be/h2ZAYM8KAZ0?si=l5r2hlzYpKOsby_J
8. Install the camera – WATCH to avoid mistakes!
   • https://youtu.be/SD1gA2hOcfw?si=qC7cpP-9Cp0CQmpr

Parts List & Step By Step Instructions

This page contains step-by-step instructions and a parts list with CAT numbers (list is at bottom of the page):
https://support.seesnake.com/troubleshooting/