ARB Linx failure 10 miles into 3 week road trip!! Need help sourcing replacement on route. (1 Viewer)

[Artie]

So I’ve been struck by the battery failure on my ARB Linx display and I’m hoping one of y’all mudders can point me in the direction of a 4x4 store or shop that stock these things. We’re outside of Nashville TN tonight, tomorrow headed to Kansas City, MO, Badlands, SD on Saturday and Sunday then into Wyoming Monday.

Any recommendations are also welcome. We use iOS devices and this thing is an android. If it’s possible to replace with a generic android that would work.

We’re on the road for the next 3 weeks and this doggone thing controls my rear locker among other things.

Any help is so appreciated!!

 

[daneo]

These folks might be on your way:

Overland Addict - Premium Overland Gear & Equipment - https://overlandaddict.com/ - Nixa, MO
Artemis Overland Hardware - https://artemisoverland.com/ - Springfield, MO
Adventure Motors - https://adventure-motors.com/ - Grandview, MO (South of KC)
www.4wheelparts.com - North KC

Looks like it might be a tricky part to source en-route. Give me a shout if you need a driveway+tools to work with in KC.

 

[82SC]

Join the Facebook group for arb Linx

Get an android tablet
Can get one on Amazon for 50-200 dollars
I just got one from t mobile with a 5g connection so I can have a usable tablet for the car.

Go to linxinstall.com

Unplug your arb Linx display and shut off

Unplug the power to your arb Linx control box.
Then plug it back in

Then either connect your device with usb or with Bluetooth to the Linx.

Have a safe trip.

 

[Artie]

I wi

These folks might be on your way:

Overland Addict - Premium Overland Gear & Equipment - https://overlandaddict.com/ - Nixa, MO
Artemis Overland Hardware - https://artemisoverland.com/ - Springfield, MO
Adventure Motors - https://adventure-motors.com/ - Grandview, MO (South of KC)
www.4wheelparts.com - North KC

Looks like it might be a tricky part to source en-route. Give me a shout if you need a driveway+tools to work with in KC.

Thanks for the kinks, looking now.

I appreciate the offer on your driveway and tool, I think this is an easy switch one I get the part so shouldn’t be any tools involved.
Thanks again for the help!

 

[Artie]

Join the Facebook group for arb Linx

Get an android tablet
Can get one on Amazon for 50-200 dollars
I just got one from t mobile with a 5g connection so I can have a usable tablet for the car.

Go to linxinstall.com

Unplug your arb Linx display and shut off

Unplug the power to your arb Linx control box.
Then plug it back in

Then either connect your device with usb or with Bluetooth to the Linx.

Have a safe trip.

I’m on FB now and I think I see your responses on there. Looks like I can get solved over there.

 

[RET2]

Ok this sounds too easy but I’m willing to give it a shot. I’m sure we’re passing by a used phone place somewhere or another and I’m going to buy something. Do you know if there is a minimum system requirement?

Currently it’s connected via Bluetooth and tucked neatly inside the sunglasses compartment. I think I can go you’re route for temporary replacement and source the ARB one later.

Does swollen batter mean fire is eminent? The unit still works but has fat battery.

Also,‘I’ve never updated this thing so do I need a recent update for this to work?

Fat batteries are never good, I'd DX it asap.

 

[grinchy]

You can buy things and have them shipped general delivery in your name to a post office on your route. But easiest is to pull into a costco or bestbuy or walmart and buy an android tablet.

 

[82SC]

Fat batteries are never good, I'd DX it asap.

This is a (embarrassing) known problem with the arb Linx displays.

Good news is they released the software so that is pretty compatible with most android systems.

They tried to keep their software proprietary but locking into one device….ended up being a dumb idea especially when their customers need reliability. And this was even worsened by the fact that the device they did commission had this expanding battery problem.

They working on making the software stable with future OS releases for androids.

You MIGHT be able to get a replacement display from arb so you can use the magnetic mount. But 100% get a separate android device as a back up too. You could easily lose the device as much as you could have technical issues or drop and crack the screen or get it wet etc…

 

[Artie]

ARB has shipped out a free warranty replacement and it will be waiting on me at a UPS store that’s on our route. Killer response and super quick turnaround on their part, I’m very pleased with their performance.

I haven’t put hands on a droid yet but that is going to be my spare in case this happens again.

 

[Artie]

Received new unit and I’m back up and running.

 

[tjscott]

I know I'm late to the conversation. I had my Linx system installed in my jeep now for a little over a year. Once I figured it out and how to install it, I love it. Unfortunately, within that year, I have had 2 battery failures (battery basically expands and pushes the face of the unit off) which makes the system useless. Good news is ARB sent me replacements each time. I did buy a small android tablet and installed the software as a backup. If I didn't purchased the backup, on my last trail ride my compressor and lights would have been useless because my last battery failure happened the day before I left.

I just like the way the original mounts on my Bullet Point Bracket and will use the replacement as the primary.

 

[Artie]

I know I'm late to the conversation. I had my Linx system installed in my jeep now for a little over a year. Once I figured it out and how to install it, I love it. Unfortunately, within that year, I have had 2 battery failures (battery basically expands and pushes the face of the unit off) which makes the system useless. Good news is ARB sent me replacements each time. I did buy a small android tablet and installed the software as a backup. If I didn't purchased the backup, on my last trail ride my compressor and lights would have been useless because my last battery failure happened the day before I left.

I just like the way the original mounts on my Bullet Point Bracket and will use the replacement as the primary.

I agree on the mounting of the stock unit, mine is in the completely useless sunglass storage in my Cruiser. I’ve heard tell that they have solved the battery issue but I won’t be able to comment on that until am a couple years in on the replacement unit they sent me. I bought an additional ARB unit and kept the original with the battery issue so I now have 3 units and 2 batteries and I carry one of those sets as a spare. I should be set for a while.