I needed two new rover batteries, so put one on the 4-tray charger. After some time it blinked green, meaning a full charge. When I tried it in the rover and then the base, it would not power up. The older batteries worked fine. I put that new battery back in the charger and set it to completely deplete and then charge. Red light, as expected, then eventually a flashing green light. But no go in the rover or the base. I then put the other new battery in the charger, eventually got the flashing green light, and again nothing in the rover or base.
The older batteries charge and work fine. The two new batteries seem to charge, but won't do anything. I can't imagine what is going on. These are the official Leica batteries, not El Cheapos.
Help!
Blinking lights make a diagnosis somewhat difficult, a cheap voltage meter would tell you what is going on fairly quickly
Here is the still mystifying latest (I was pondering ideas when I was out surveying today). Bear in mind that I run the reflectorless off the big battery only, so I can use the RX1210T keyboard. I just put the new battery in the little reflectorless battery holder, and it powered up the reflectorless.
I put the new battery in the base left holder, and it powered up (wouldn't do that two days ago). I put the new battery in the base right holder, and it powered up.
I put the new battery in the rover left holder, and nothing. I put the new battery in the rover right holder, and it powered up. The rover will still power up from the left holder with the older batteries.
Huh?
The bottom line is, I still would like an answer to the puzzle, but I'm back in power, so to speak.
Sounds like a connection issue not a battery one
Bruce
I'm confused. What instrument are you using. When you say the reflectorless battery holder do you mean the instruments internal battery holder.
Wait I get it, you are using GX1200's for your base and rover.
How new are the new batteries. I would suggest that you have a connection issue. Get some contact cleaner and clean the contacts on all of the instruments and the batteries. A rubber eraser works well also.
Good luck
I really have to stop procrastinating and get some work done.
Bruce,
I have not heard of Leica receiving a bad batch of batteries but it could happen I guess. So you have charged them in the Pro Charger and also cycled them in the Pro Charger. Everything should be good if the pro charger does not give a flashing red light after the battery is charging. If the old batteries and new batteries were both charged on the same pro charger I would rule out that the charger is bad.
In you first post the new batteries would not power up the units but the old ones did. I have seen some issues as in your second post where on battery compartment will work but the other one does not on GX1230 receivers. This s just a repair issue.
The Leica accessories come with a one year warranty. I would have them exchanged and see what happens.
Bringing this old thread up to the top, I noticed that one of the batteries that came with my GeoMax Zoom80 (new last December) has shown a much lower charge life that the other. (The GeoMax model designation is ZBA400, but I believe it's the same as a GEB221.) I'm conditioning the dodgy battery on a GLK221 charger as I type, but I'm also thinking that I might want to buy another spare or two. The Leica and GeoMax branded batteries are pricey at about $180 list, and I'm wondering if any of the aftermarket versions -- which run from $30 to $100 or so -- are any good. Anyone with experience in this matter care to comment?
I have a preference for Interstate brand. I've gotten outstanding life from their car batteries, but can't say I've used enough sealed lead acid batteries to have a valid sampling. The last SLA that I bought, I paid them $2 more for a US made one, as what they offered first said made in China and that gave me no confidence.
Jim Frame, post: 381294, member: 10 wrote: Bringing this old thread up to the top, I noticed that one of the batteries that came with my GeoMax Zoom80 (new last December) has shown a much lower charge life that the other. (The GeoMax model designation is ZBA400, but I believe it's the same as a GEB221.) I'm conditioning the dodgy battery on a GLK221 charger as I type, but I'm also thinking that I might want to buy another spare or two. The Leica and GeoMax branded batteries are pricey at about $180 list, and I'm wondering if any of the aftermarket versions -- which run from $30 to $100 or so -- are any good. Anyone with experience in this matter care to comment?
Jim,
I purchased some aftermarket Leica knockoff batteries. Throughout a day the instrument tended to report a quicker discharge initially, and indicate a low battery, but then they stayed low for the rest of the day and made it till the end. With regards to when we considered them stuffed, well they clapped out quicker than the genuine batteries do, but were also perhaps a third the cost. On balance they may well work out pretty much even with the Leica batteries because of the large price difference. My preference now is to buy geomax batteries as they seem identical to the Leica batteries but for a considerably reduced price. We have a couple in service now and if they last then it's geomax from here on in.
I have bought quite a few of them for my robots off ebay. A third of the cost, every now and then you get one that ain't worth a dang or the casing may come apart in hot temp's (keep a roll of electrical tape in the truck). For the most part I have had good luck. I see a reduction in daily life compared to Lieca's batteries and the overall life of the battery is shorter, but it's not 2/3's shorter.
