MSA Sordin battery drain issue (EarPro)

[Sniperboy]

Anyone else have this problem?
Long story short, I have a set of out of warranty MSA Sordin (Supreme Pro-X) ear protection, even in the OFF position the battery will completely DRAIN in a matter of 3 days.  Again that is while turned off.

 

Prior to a few months ago I could go I think a year before replacing batteries.

 

1.  I've tried primaries, rechargables and even newly purchased primaries/non-rechargables with the same effect.  (So I don't think its an issue of old batteries).

2.  This doesn't make sense since they have an auto off feature and even continuously ON they should last 600 hours (not 72 hours).

3.  The battery case is functional and tight contacts.  But shouldn't really contribute to an issue?

4.  Contacting SRS tactical does not have any solutions other than to do an out of warranty replacement of the motherboards.  Which is almost the price of a new set.

5.  I tried to clean off the green corrosion on the board to no effect.

I am not that versed with the details of electronics.  What can possibly contribute to such a horrendous PARASITIC DRAIN?  Has anyone experienced this?

To be quite honest, I am pretty happy with the performance and comfort of the SORDINS.  My first set failed within 3 years which was easily replaced with a new set under hassle free warranty, and the new set served me for like 8 years.  I think for the price and service the cost of a new pair is worth it for the 5 year warranty.  I just feel cheap and want to see if there's something obvious I am missing?

Part of me wants to just stick with rechargables and replace batteries every range session but at a weekly schedule of going to the range I forsee that getting old quick ; ) thanks for reading.

Edited August 15, 2018 by Sniperboy

[SlvrDragon50]

Can you share some pics? Green corrosion on the board has me wondering. Increased resistance could drain the batteries faster if the electronics are pulling more current to get the same effect.

[Sniperboy]

I've cleaned it off already so there's not much to share (thanks for the reply though).  I think 'corrosion' is a bit harsh.. its more like green oxidation.  Only slight spots at the soldered joints which I cleaned off carefully.

 

Here's a random pic from the net.  Ofcourse it wasn't THAT bad in there.  It was very light but present.

Edited August 16, 2018 by Sniperboy

[Jay63]

Have the same ear muffs and had the same problem. I sent them to SRS and they determined it was corrosion in the battery compartment. They cleaned it and I went to lithium batteries. They now last 1/2 year but not the whole year like before. The corrosion caused there to be current in the battery compartment even when off.

[Sniperboy]

Thanks for the tip Jay!  I will definitely look into this.  SRS seemed clueless to my issues/symptoms but they process tons of these so perhaps they forget.

I'll definitely look into this possibility.

I really appreciate you taking the time to post with a lead!  I never would have thought to look in the battery compartment.

Edited August 16, 2018 by Sniperboy

[reverse_edge]

Try TCI. They're owned by safariland and work on Sordins all the time. They did my battery box when it failed.

 

 

[IHAVEGAS]

If you can not fix them cheap I would look for something that does a better job with noise reduction, assuming you are around open guns or 3 gun.

I have had 2 pair, they are fine until you get around the loud stuff, could still be fine if you do not r.o. and can double plug. Have switched to a different brand rated at 27 db (I think yours are 21) and wish I had done it much sooner. 

There is info on the web saying sordins work better than their low rating, but my ears call bs .

 

[Nevadazielmeister]

My wife and I absolutely love our MSA Sordins. I have not found the need to double up with ear foams, even indoors with my Open gun. I have had mine for 5 years and hers for 3 years. No battery drain issues. I think I replace the batteries once every 2 years or so, and this is with moderate usage. I suspect MSA will take care of the issue. 

[IHAVEGAS]

No offense , but if you are not finding a need to double up with sordins and an open gun indoors, then you have already lost much of your hearing. 

 

[sergeantbernie]

It could possibly be tin whisker phenomenon. Fairly random and not well understood. One of the reasons medical device manufacturers resisted going to the mandated tin based solders and away from the lead-based solders. Whatever the culprit, it sounds like a new pair might be in order.

[Silverscooby27]

Just get some Pro Ears and be done with the nonsense! 

[SlvrDragon50]

50 minutes ago, IHAVEGAS said:

No offense , but if you are not finding a need to double up with sordins and an open gun indoors, then you have already lost much of your hearing. 

 

Completely  agree. I walk away when I see an open shooter indoors.

[IHAVEGAS]

32 minutes ago, Silverscooby27 said:

Just get some Pro Ears and be done with the nonsense! 

 

That is what I did, so far so good but have not had them long enough to judge reliability.

Forget the name , a lot of folks are having good luck with a cheaper option.

[Sniperboy]

...on corrosion

 

I broke down the Sordins last night using the DIY guide on ARFcom.  The connections INSIDE the battery box are clean.  The wires that are soldered to the OUTSIDE of the battery box are potted (?) with a silicone coating shell.  I found a corner of the soldered connection had worn exposed and had a layer of oxidized icing.  I cleaned it off with alchohol.  I put in new batteries and now I wait.  If this works I will put a new shell of silicone over the exposed outside connection and call it good (fingers crossed).  Even if idle battery life lasts 6 months I will take it - as its better than 3 days.  I will probably air these out regularly as its pretty moist in there.. and not in a good way!

 

...on going deaf

 

We have regular hearing tests at work Last year and I had a terrible scare thinking that I was going deaf in one ear.  Turns out the doctor told me "You have a LOT of wax in your right ear".  (I haven't had my ears flushed since I was 10 years old).  And I can tell you, it can bring a grown man to tears, when he regains his hearing after a year of thinking he was going deaf. 

 

I double plug now.  I have read about the blog post about Sordins apparently have a higher rating than what is posted on the packaging.  (On average across the spectrum it is low but the  dbb rating specifically for the frequencies of normal rifle and pistol gunshots is higher.) the post also mentioned I recall that compensators operate under a different frequency (and is just darn louder I suppose).

 

https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/msa-sordin-supreme-performance-the-misleading-nrr18db-rating/

 

That being said I do take my hearing seriously welcome suggestions on more robust earpros that offer the same comfort as the Sordins, for when my pair finally give up the ghost.    I have considered the Ear Pro Golds.

 

...on service life

 

I got 10 years of service out of my Sordins with one hassle free replacement under the first warranty period so I am honestly satisfied, despite my desire to squeeze as much out of the product as I can.  This is just the way I was raised.

 

...on TCI

 

During my search for solutions I did find TCI.  I like that not only is the battery compartment waterproof but the electronics are waterproof too.  It is also cool that there are apparently two speakers - one for ambient sound and one for audio.  I am turned off that there is no audio AUX in plug, and that the DEHP model is $400.  I will wait to see if they decide to cater to the civilian market.  Read: get it to a price point where a 'reasonable value' is important, unlike government contracts ; ).

 

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Sniperboy]

16 minutes ago, IHAVEGAS said:

 

That is what I did, so far so good but have not had them long enough to judge reliability.

Forget the name , a lot of folks are having good luck with a cheaper option.

 

I have considered the PRO EARS GOLDs.  Which model did you get?  THey have so many models it just makes it so much more annoying to sift through them.  Tho some models are not that much cheaper and some are more expensive than the Sordin Supreme Pro-Xs.

 

Hopefully I can get some more life out of my Sordins since I JUST bought a new set of $40 gel pads! : O grrrrrrr...

Edited August 16, 2018 by Sniperboy

[IHAVEGAS]

Gold's, the 26 db rated version, would have gotten the higher rated model but they were out of stock.

 

Without kicking the dead horse too much more,  when I looked into it and by my experience with other hearing protection my conclusion was that sordins claim  that they are more effective than any other protection tested the same way is all hype. $12.00 Walmart non-electronic muffs work better for me as far as percieved noise reduction at the range. Not saying that sordins do not work fine for me when shooting 9mm production guns and similar. 

[BillR1]

My Sordins (w/gel pads) have worked flawlessly indoors and out. I've never seen a need to double plug anywhere, and I'm around quite a few open shooters. As an MD and SO, I end up being next to a huge variety of shooters/guns, and the MSA Sordins just work. They're also far more comfortable on my wide melon than the pro ears I tried.

[Sniperboy]

What sold me on Sordins 10 years ago:

1.  I was irked when Peltors wanted to charge me $30 for a failed audio cable due to their non standard AUX connection.

2.  "Better" ambient sound.

3.  5 year warranty.

 

Looking at the PRO EARS, they seem to check all these boxes except that they use annoying N cell batteries.

[IHAVEGAS]

2 hours ago, Sniperboy said:

they use annoying N cell batteries.

 

Didn't like the weird battery until I figured out that they are on the shelf at Walmart so that part is ok.

Maybe I will find out that there is another reason they are annoying, maybe they do not last long?

[SlvrDragon50]

...on corrosion
 
I broke down the Sordins last night using the DIY guide on ARFcom.  The connections INSIDE the battery box are clean.  The wires that are soldered to the OUTSIDE of the battery box are potted (?) with a silicone coating shell.  I found a corner of the soldered connection had worn exposed and had a layer of oxidized icing.  I cleaned it off with alchohol.  I put in new batteries and now I wait.  If this works I will put a new shell of silicone over the exposed outside connection and call it good (fingers crossed).  Even if idle battery life lasts 6 months I will take it - as its better than 3 days.  I will probably air these out regularly as its pretty moist in there.. and not in a good way!
 
...on going deaf
 
We have regular hearing tests at work Last year and I had a terrible scare thinking that I was going deaf in one ear.  Turns out the doctor told me "You have a LOT of wax in your right ear".  (I haven't had my ears flushed since I was 10 years old).  And I can tell you, it can bring a grown man to tears, when he regains his hearing after a year of thinking he was going deaf. 
 
I double plug now.  I have read about the blog post about Sordins apparently have a higher rating than what is posted on the packaging.  (On average across the spectrum it is low but the  dbb rating specifically for the frequencies of normal rifle and pistol gunshots is higher.) the post also mentioned I recall that compensators operate under a different frequency (and is just darn louder I suppose).
 
https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/msa-sordin-supreme-performance-the-misleading-nrr18db-rating/
 
That being said I do take my hearing seriously welcome suggestions on more robust earpros that offer the same comfort as the Sordins, for when my pair finally give up the ghost.    I have considered the Ear Pro Golds.
 
...on service life
 
I got 10 years of service out of my Sordins with one hassle free replacement under the first warranty period so I am honestly satisfied, despite my desire to squeeze as much out of the product as I can.  This is just the way I was raised.
 
...on TCI
 
During my search for solutions I did find TCI.  I like that not only is the battery compartment waterproof but the electronics are waterproof too.  It is also cool that there are apparently two speakers - one for ambient sound and one for audio.  I am turned off that there is no audio AUX in plug, and that the DEHP model is $400.  I will wait to see if they decide to cater to the civilian market.  Read: get it to a price point where a 'reasonable value' is important, unlike government contracts ; ).
 
Thanks for all the input.
 

If you double plug then the removal of earwax is generally enough. While earwax does reduce sound levels, it won’t reduce as much as a plug. I got a much deeper seat in my ear cans after cleaning my ears, and I can comfortably use just plugs when I shoot outdoors (no open guns).

The Db is true since it’s averaged across all frequencies and you don’t need reduction at higher frequencies with shooting like you would with say a concert type plug.

My plan when I get more money is to get some custom plugs and then I can always double up on top of those if needed.


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[Sniperboy]

I haven't checked lately but back when Eotech released an N cel version of their optics I had a hard time looking for them, and turned me off (pun intended). 

I mean does anything other than BetaMax players use N cells??  (j/k rollseyes)

 

That and I don't have anything ELSE that uses those batteries.  At least with CR123s, my flashlights and other goodies use them so I don't feel as if I'm stocking batteries that are single purpose.  : ) after a bit of research I found that at least one of the PRO EARS offer a CR123 option, and I will definitely go that route if I do go down this route.

[Silverscooby27]

Sound quality on Pro Ears is a million times better than the MSAs. A million times. I prefer the n size version because the batteries are smaller and take up less room in the ear cups. They die fairly quickly, so you can buy some on Amazon and just keep some spares in your range bag.

[Silverscooby27]

Also wind noise mitigation is about a million times better on Pro Ears.

[3gunDQ]

Mine don’t muffle sound worth a rats ass. They suck... wasted money

 

gel cups Are comfortable though

Edited August 16, 2018 by 3gunDQ

[IHAVEGAS]

1 hour ago, SlvrDragon50 said:

The Db is true since it’s averaged across all frequencies and you don’t need reduction at higher frequencies with shooting like you would with say a concert type plug.
 

 

Whatever you buy, you will likely see db versus frequency reported on the package, for what it is worth. 

The other thing to watch for is that reported db (overall number) will often be the frequency weighted db that OSHA uses and not an averaged number.

The OSHA method allows you to use a simple meter to check for noise exposure and typically report just one number that is supposed to more accurately reflect human ear sensitivity to damage (unless the rules have changed, I have slept since then).