Managed to do some home repairs of some of my surveying equipment and saved quite a bit. All that was required was a soldering iron and solder.
I managed to replace the internal battery in an Ashtech SCA-12 total cost $36.
I also re-celled the 2 BT-56Q batteries on my Topcon GPT 8205 total station total cost $140.
Saved about $500 in total. If anybody needs instructions on replicating the above let me know.
An SCA-12, I Am Impressed
Isn't that battery under another chip?
More info please, since I have one that needs replacing.
Paul in PA
An SCA-12, I Am Impressed
At first I thought the SCA-12 would be too difficult but it turns out it is doable. Open up the screws on each end and remove the 3 boards. The battery (in my one anyway) is contained under a silver panel with Ashtech written on it. This panel is soldered around the edges so to remove it just melt each solder point one by one and pry it off gently. Do the same for the other silver panel under the board with the same name on it.
Once the panels are off you will see the battery. The one in mine is called a Keeper II lithium ltc-7pn and is 3.5v.
Just melt the solder carefully on the bottom and top and ease the battery out bit by bit. Then just replace with the new one and solder in and re-fit the silver covers by soldering on. The silver panels make up part of the circuit board so they must be put back on.
I will try and put up a few pictures soon.
An SCA-12, I Am Impressed
This is one of the two silver panels that have to be removed
This is the battery that is replaced. Available on ebay.
