We are having communication problems between our Leica TCRP robotic instrument and with the RH1200 radio handle.
This is what happens:
The instrument is powered on. Afterwhich, the green light illuminates on the Radio Handle indicating power. The next light that needs to come on the radio handle is the second "red light" which is next to the green light. This "red light" needs to power on BEFORE the data collector is turned on(this issue is not with the data collector). Communication has to be established between radio handle and instrument before data collector is turned on. When the Second red light comes on, then when you power up the data collector the Third red light comes on indicating communication between radio handle and data collector. The problem is some days this SECOND light comes on and other days it doesn't. So, the issue is this second light not coming on and no communication. The green always come on so we have power.
We were told to try another RH1200 radio handle to see if the handle itself was the issue. Tried another handle and the same problem occurred. No different! It too worked some days; and some days it didn't.
So we took the instrument in to be repaired. We were advised that the communication board needed replacement. We had it replaced and after the repair was completed we were also advised that our batteries for the total station and our data collector were not holding a charge and also needed to be replaced. After getting the instrument back the first time, we powered it on and had thesame issue of the second red light not lighting up on the radio handle. We tried a different battery and it worked and thereafter seemed to work consistently except for one day in the field. Went to turn it on and same issue so swapped batteries and it all worked. In the meantime we ordered new batteries from authorized dealers. Got the batteries and everything continued working fine. Except for yesterday - worked fine on jobs most of the day. Came in the office and went out for one last job; turned on the instrument and second red light not lighting up on radio handle. Tried another battery and same thing.
Last night we put the batteries in the charger and only one battery (the one that was in the instrument working most of the day) did need charging. The other 2 didn't indicate they needed charging after placing on the charger. So, we took the battery that we charged and put it in the instrument and the indicator light is not lighting up and there is no communication. Tried the other batteries and no difference. Tried turning the instrument on this morning, and still not working.
What is going on?? Can someone please help us figure out what the issue is!
Thank you so much. Just fyi the repair was done about 3 weeks ago.
Surveyor-I hope I can offer some insight on your problem. First, I am guessing that you have an Allegro MX/CX with the RH1200 RadioHandle. If that is correct we can rule out any general issues with the RX Controllers. So, here is a few thoughts...
1. The second red light will come on when the communication is made to the data collector. This identifies that radio signal is present. The third light will blink once data is transmitted and received showing that data transfer is present. The red light does not need to be on before the data collector is turned on, only the initial green light showing power is present in the radiohandle.
2. I have never had to replace a communication board....nor I have I ever heard of one. The parts that make up the communication in the device include the radiohandle (which can only be replaced, not repaired), the communication side cover (which has a small board, but basically acts as a tie in for the system) and the main CPU board. I would guess they replaced the small board in the side cover (~$100.00) but as you witnessed, likelihood that went bad was around 0%.
3. Generally one of three things is going wrong....
a. The Radio Pod in the Allegro is bad, starting to go bad. To test, hook up another one and test. If you don't have one I'll be happy to let you use one that I have to get you through the process.
b. The Radio Handle is bad - likely, but since you have already tested we'll rule that out.
c. The contacts are bad - highly likely. This is the most common issue that causes what you are experiencing and it is two sided. First, you have to verify the "spring-i-iness" of the Radiohandle contacts. Take a small soft tip nail file and gently abrase the surface of them (not to hard), then take some alcohol or acetone and wipe them off. Do the same thing for the contacts on the top of the side cover. Then check. Normally people use erasers, or windex to clean contacts...neither of which work good. Also clean the battery contacts the same way.
4. If all of these items are done and it is still acting up....CPU board, which gets expensive.
The most common problems I run into are the Radio Pod in the Data Collector going out and the contacts being bad. Try and let me know. You're welcome to email with questions.
Thanks for your response. I did say this incorrectly "This "red light" needs to power on BEFORE the data collector is turned on." What I should have said is the second "red light" needs to come on to indicate that it is ready to communicate with the data collector. If the red light isn't coming on, it is not able to communicate.
So independently of whether the data collector is turned on or off; this second "red light" needs to illuminate on the radio handle when the instrument is powered on. When the second red light illuminates, it has not mattered whether we have the data collector on or off. We've powered the instrument on while the data collector has been off; and the green and second red light have lit up. Doesn't that eliminate the radio pod being an issue?
cwlawley, how do I email you with more questions? Thanks.
We tried to call you and left a message regarding the data collector. Did you receive it? Thank you.
Surveyor, post: 338163, member: 10221 wrote: cwlawley, how do I email you with more questions? Thanks.
Feel free to contact me via mobile at 919-796-0308. I think I received a voicemail from you all but it was jarbled....not sure.
Great, thanks!