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Blurry optical plummet on a Trimble S5, easy fix?

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 kjac
(@kjac)
Posts: 118
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I bought a used S6 a while back and it works great, but it's always had a blurry optical plummet. You can never quite get anything into focus, almost like there's some oil smeared on the glass somewhere. I've cleaned the exterior glass on the eyepiece and under the tribrach, but that's not the problem. Has anyone cleaned the interior of one of these and have any advice on how to go about it?

 
Posted : 22/05/2020 3:25 pm
(@holy-cow)
Posts: 25292
 

Cobwebs have been the only issue I recall.?ÿ Partially blocking the view and really making things look wacky.

 
Posted : 22/05/2020 3:27 pm
 ddsm
(@ddsm)
Posts: 2229
 

@holy-cow and check for spider webs in the tripod screw.

DDSM

 
Posted : 22/05/2020 5:01 pm
 kjac
(@kjac)
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Posted by: @ddsm

@holy-cow and check for spider webs in the tripod screw.

DDSM

smart thinking, but that's not the problem in my case.

 
Posted : 22/05/2020 5:07 pm
(@jules-j)
Posts: 727
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Posted by: @ddsm

@holy-cow and check for spider webs in the tripod screw.

DDSM

Yep. Had that happen before with a laser plummet. Just knew that was going to cost me some $$$.?ÿ?ÿ

 
Posted : 22/05/2020 5:08 pm
(@mark-mayer)
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My guess is that you have some moisture inside the plummet. We work in the rain out here on the wet coast, and Iƒ??ve had it happen a few times. Your friendly neighborhood service tech will fix it for you, but his fees may equal the cost of a new tribrach.

 
Posted : 23/05/2020 9:28 am
(@dougie)
Posts: 7889
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@mark-mayer

If moisture is your problem; you might try putting it in a bag of rice.

 
Posted : 23/05/2020 10:50 am
(@bill93)
Posts: 9834
 
Posted by: @dougie

If moisture is your problem; you might try putting it in a bag of rice.

And temperature cycle it room temperature and maybe 120?ø F a few times.

 
Posted : 23/05/2020 11:01 am
(@mark-mayer)
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@bill93

These things, rice and warmth, may be worth a try if you have the time. But I haven't had much luck with it in this application. It takes quite a while for that moisture to get in and longer for it to get out.  

 
Posted : 23/05/2020 11:15 am
(@thebionicman)
Posts: 4434
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Swap tribrachs and send this one in for service. If it's toast a decent repair shop will tell you before running up a bill. Worst case you are up and running for the cost of a tribrach. Best case you have a spare.?ÿ

 
Posted : 24/05/2020 8:46 am
 kjac
(@kjac)
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@thebionicman

 

The optical plummet is built into the total station, but thanks anyway.

 
Posted : 24/05/2020 8:47 am
(@thebionicman)
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@kjac

Well thats unfortunate. I thought that was a later change...

 
Posted : 24/05/2020 9:11 am
(@rj-schneider)
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plumb bob hook on the tripod screw

 
Posted : 24/05/2020 9:34 am
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