I have a Trimble 4700 that I'm using as a permanent base station with an ADL Vantage radio. It works fine until I try to use the TSCe controller to do any configuration changes. It seems that after using the TSCe for a couple of minutes or so the 4700 shuts down and then tries to restart. Its as if the TSCe is drawing power from the 4700 and causing it to power down even though the TSCe says 100% power and the 4700 is mains powered through port 2 and shows a green light on the front panel. The ADL is also powered separately.
I understand that the 4700 will power down if the supply voltage drops below 10v but I can't understand why the TSCe would cause this.
Specific details??
Depending on how the TSCe is connected to the 4700, the TSCe certainly could be drawing (too much) power from the 4700.
Remember that the 4700 was discontinued before Trimble started promoting the TSCe, so using the two together was probably not one of the anticipated situations.
Exactly how is your TSCe connected to your 4700? If you are using a 31288-XX cable connected to Port 1 on the 4700 there definitely is a power path that will try to send power to the TSCe. If you use the yellow-jacketed 32960 data cable there is no power path and your problem will probably go away.
Also, you mentioned that the 4700 is "mains powered" - is that using one of the Y-cables like the 32345? If so, have you tried connecting the TSCe to the DE-9F connector on that Y-cable?
GB
Specific details??
> Depending on how the TSCe is connected to the 4700, the TSCe certainly could be drawing (too much) power from the 4700.
>
> Remember that the 4700 was discontinued before Trimble started promoting the TSCe, so using the two together was probably not one of the anticipated situations.
>
> Exactly how is your TSCe connected to your 4700? If you are using a 31288-XX cable connected to Port 1 on the 4700 there definitely is a power path that will try to send power to the TSCe. If you use the yellow-jacketed 32960 data cable there is no power path and your problem will probably go away.
>
> Also, you mentioned that the 4700 is "mains powered" - is that using one of the Y-cables like the 32345? If so, have you tried connecting the TSCe to the DE-9F connector on that Y-cable?
>
> GB
Thankyou for the information/suggestions.
Port 1 on the 4700 is connected to the 7 pin 0 Lemo connector on the TSCe. I can't see a number on the cable. The 4700 is powered using a modified 46125-00. The modification is that the crocodile clips are removed and it is wired into a regulated/ battery backed power supply.
Unfortunately I don't appear to have any of the cables that you have mentioned, but presumably a direct power feed into the TSCe via the DB9 connector on it would be worth a try? I've got the pinout for that connector from the manual so it shouldn't be to difficult to rig up a feed.
Specific details??
I do not know why you would need/want a "direct power feed into the TSCe" if you are only using the TSCe for occasional configuration changes. Seems like the TSCe's internal battery would suffice for that.
For a data-only connection between Port 1 of the 4700 and the DE-9M port on the TSCe you need a cable wired like the one in this pinout diagram.
Perhaps you have a damaged cable with one good Lemo plug that you could repurpose?
Or, any other Trimble cables with 7-pin Size 0 plugs?
GB
Have you used this setup previously in this configuration?
I vaguely remember an issue with the 4700 with early firmware that would power off when you tried to start the base, depending on what power/radio port you were using. I think the receiver was expecting you to have a Y cable to send/receive and power the device.
Specific details??
> I do not know why you would need/want a "direct power feed into the TSCe" if you are only using the TSCe for occasional configuration changes. Seems like the TSCe's internal battery would suffice for that.
>
> For a data-only connection between Port 1 of the 4700 and the DE-9M port on the TSCe you need a cable wired like the one in this pinout diagram.
>
> Perhaps you have a damaged cable with one good Lemo plug that you could repurpose?
>
> Or, any other Trimble cables with 7-pin Size 0 plugs?
>
> GB
Thanks for the pinout, I do have a spare cable I could rework. Any clues on how to split the lemo plug to see how it is currently wired ?
> Have you used this setup previously in this configuration?
>
> I vaguely remember an issue with the 4700 with early firmware that would power off when you tried to start the base, depending on what power/radio port you were using. I think the receiver was expecting you to have a Y cable to send/receive and power the device.
Yes I have previously used this configuration, but it does seem to be something that was not initially a problem and has somehow got worse. ie the length of time using the TSCe before the 4700 shuts down is now a lot shorter. Its now after a minute or so, whereas before I could be using it for half an hour before it happened, if at all.
Might end up having to get a Y cable if I can't make something to do it.
Specific details??
There should be no reason to disassemble the Lemo plug, I have never needed to do that through all these years.
If your spare cable was some sort of data cable, the Lemo plug will have all the pins you need connected to individual conductors in the cable.
If your spare cable was a power-only cable, then it likely won't be of any use for data because the Lemo plug probably only has connections to the two power-circuit pins.
If your cable is from Trimble, there should be a self-laminating label attached to the cable jacket. The P/N is either five digits or five digits followed by a hyphen and two more digits.
Post the P/N of your spare cable or describe both ends and we can figure out if it will work.
GB
Specific details??
Spare cable number is 36241-10. It has a 7 pin lemo 0b on one end and 5 pin lemo 1b (I think) on the other. No idea if it was a data cable or not.
That should work
The Trimble 36241-XX cable was intended to send the data from a Trimble 4700 receiver to a Trimble Trimmark II/IIe radio modem.
Since it is doubtful you will be using a Trimmark II or IIe in the future, may as well give it a try. You can easily find (or possibly already have) a DE-9F connector with solder-cup terminals and a shell.
Before cutting the cable in two, please use an ohmmeter (or other continuity-checking device) to make a pinout diagram of the existing cable. Don't forget to check for connections between pins in the same plug, especially the 7-pin plug.
Since one end of your cable has a 5-pin plug, the serial connection operated without flow control. It may be there are only five conductors in the cable; possibly only three.
It would not be surprising if there are no external wires connected to pin 4 (ready to send) and pin 5 (clear to send) of the 7-pin plug. The TSCe-to-4700 data connection should work with just TX, RX and signal ground.
If the cable contains power conductors connected to the 7-pin plug, insulate their ends with heat-shrink tubing or something similar so they don't short out in the shell.
Keep us posted!
GB
That should work
> The Trimble 36241-XX cable was intended to send the data from a Trimble 4700 receiver to a Trimble Trimmark II/IIe radio modem.
>
> Since it is doubtful you will be using a Trimmark II or IIe in the future, may as well give it a try. You can easily find (or possibly already have) a DE-9F connector with solder-cup terminals and a shell.
>
> Before cutting the cable in two, please use an ohmmeter (or other continuity-checking device) to make a pinout diagram of the existing cable. Don't forget to check for connections between pins in the same plug, especially the 7-pin plug.
>
> Since one end of your cable has a 5-pin plug, the serial connection operated without flow control. It may be there are only five conductors in the cable; possibly only three.
>
> It would not be surprising if there are no external wires connected to pin 4 (ready to send) and pin 5 (clear to send) of the 7-pin plug. The TSCe-to-4700 data connection should work with just TX, RX and signal ground.
>
> If the cable contains power conductors connected to the 7-pin plug, insulate their ends with heat-shrink tubing or something similar so they don't short out in the shell.
>
> Keep us posted!
>
> GB
All going well so far,appear to have 5 cores to the cable with three in the right places for Tx,Rx and signal ground.No pins joined as far as I can tell. Just need to get a DB9 connector on and will give it a try. One question though about any power conductors possibly being connected to the 7 pin plug - how can I tell without dismantling it ?
That should work
OK, some progress! Cable made and installed. But TSCe no power. As expected in terms of no power feed from 4700 any more. However having shown previously that the battery status was 100%, it now appears to be zero. Am I right in suspecting that the battery pack in the TSCe is duff and it has been relying on drawing all its power from the 4700, hence the shutting down issues?
Historically I've always powered the TSCe from the 4700 and have had no other means of charging it. I'm thinking over time the battery must have worsened, hence the increasing power issue. I've ordered a new battery pack, and just wondered what would be the easiest way to charge it.
That should work
Thanks for the help GB, cable works and problem of unit powering down has stopped.
