Testing Topcon Hiper Battery Capacity

Use the free PCCDU and check the batteries at full charge then after running them 8 hours. Make sure you have the antenna's on. I'll find my spreadsheet and let you know what a new battery should look like and also a four year old battery.

I would suggest that you just turn them on, and check them regularly and see how long they will run. That is the "simple" way to see how long they will run.

I have a pair of Hiper Lites, and they have internal batteries, that are not hot swappable. Basically, when they run low, or die, you just have to plug them back up to the chargers.

I do know that you can look at the charge of the batteries thru PC-CDU, but I don't think that you can tell how long they will actually run. I know, and year or so ago, my base unit would only run about an hour or so when it was really cold. I just replaced the batteries earlier this year, and have been pleased with the results. I did it myself, and it cost about $60.

Hope this helps.

Deral,

Thanks. That's perfect. I've got that utility on the laptop, and I'll get the receiver connected and do some testing. Exactly what I was looking for thanks.

Remember temperature affects their charge, and that at cold temps, (20-30°) you could run for 4-6 hrs, when at 85 you could run all day.

Ya might as well buy some batts.

N

I'm still searching. I know it's around here somewhere. There was a marked difference in the drop off of voltage after one hour on the old batteries vs the new batteries. I logged several sets over the years and the trend was undeniable.

Of course temps impact the duration but using the utility proved to me whether it was time to recell/replace based on years and cycles of usage.

According to the appendix of the Topcon Hiper Pro Manual, the internal batteries are Lithium Ion (4000 mAh, 7.4 V) and there are 2 of them in each receiver.

Also, on page 2-7, the following detailed explanation of full batteries is provided:

And, though this graph is not applicable to the specific battery of the Topcon Hiper Pro, it nonetheless suggests the characteristics of a lithium ion battery:

Not to hijack this thread, but I've been thinking about purchasing a Hiper Pro Base unit for use as a network rover, and I was also wondering if the Radio on the BASE unit is on and transmitting, even when the unit is being used as a RTN rover. Is there a way to disable the radio, since it seems like unnecessary wear and tear to keep the radio on when it's not really sending useful data.

Anyway, I think that's what the OP is getting at. Does the radio turn off when it's not being used?

Edit: Now that I look at the posts above closer, that quote from above say "If the internal radio is turned off ...", so it does appear to be possible to turn the radio off. Anyone know how to do it?

I agree replace the batteries if your concerned, it was easier then you would think.

Confusing information in the Hiper Pro Manual, in the Appendix, page A-3.

Under the section entitled "Power" it describes the operating time as follows:

With TX mode ON (1W) - 6 hours
With RX mode ON - TBD
With Radio in Standby Mode - 13 hours
With Radio OFF - 16 hours

Whereas at page 2-7, the same manual states that with a full charge the internal batteries should power the GPS receiver, Bluetooth, and the Satel radio Modem transmitting data at 1W for 11 hours.

Why the difference?

Page 1-12 (table 1-2) of the Hiper Pro Manual suggests that the radio modem can be off, in receiver mode (either recognizing the transmitting receiver or not), in transmitting mode, or in command mode.

I don't know how to turn the radio modem off, but it looks like it can be done.

Again, at the appendix at A-3, the power consumption of the receiver is listed as 10 Watts, in TX (transmitting) mode (1W).

I believe that the amperage draw (A) can be calculated from P=V*A, where P is power in watts, V is voltage, and A is amperage. The battery voltage is 7.4. Therefore, if the receiver draws 10 watts in TX mode, divide by 7.4 volts, and the amperage is 1.35 amps.

Since there are two internal batteries, each having a capacity of 4000 mAh, or 4 amp hours, the total capacity is 8 amp hours. 8 amp hours divided by 1.35 amps, is about 6 hours total run time. That agrees with the specification in the appendix.

What is closer to what you all have actually experienced in the field with the base in TX mode - 6 hours or 11 hours?

I believe that when we use one Hiper unit as a network rover our TDS Ranger settings automatically turn the radio off as it is not needed, thereby saving battery power. One way to turn the radio back on is to reboot the unit.

I believe there are ways to turn the radios on and off other than I have described above but I am unfamiliar with the locations of those settings.

Well I ran a test today with the base, using the PCCDU utility to monitor internàl battery voltages. Beginning with a full charge, and with the receiver in transmitting mode, I got a run time of 8 hours and 20 minutes. I wouldn't expect to get as much on a cold day outside. But pretty good I think.

A few notes on battery voltage- full charge appears to be about 8.0 volts, and power cutout (end) appears to be about 6.6 volts.

I have hiper pros running on older batteries. I get 12hrs+ at 80deg, 8hrs at 50deg, 5hrs at 30deg and 3hrs at 10deg.

Perfect for me, I only last about 3hrs at 10deg myself.

Steve

Thanks, Steve. It was an unusually warm day here in MA, and my testing was done partly inside and partly out. I'd say average temp was 70 degrees. Sounds like your getting more life on your older batteries than I would. I've ordered some replacement batteries in any case.

Based on both Steve and Nate's posts, I'm thinking that the Topcon manual for the Hiper Pro is correct when it states a minimum of 11 hours on a fully charged battery (assuming room temp), and that the reference to 6 hours is incorrect.

UNAVCO has a list of GNSS receivers that they've used over the years. While the Hiper Pro is not on that list, the only receivers which use 10 or more watts of electricity are the older big box receivers like the Trimble 4000, the Ashtech Z-12, etc. If I had to hazard a guess for what the Hiper Pro would consume based on that list, I'd guess 4 watts. Does anyone know of a source for more data on the electrical characteristics of the Hiper Pro?