i think that the software is the same between stations. First 3 numbers are: 817xxxxxx. Loader works with normal serial communication 9600,8,n,1. You can talk to it using keyboard 🙂 normal ascii commands. "?" is help. I am working on restoring my 5500. But if you get dump from 5600 i would be more than grateful 🙂 (please please, do not post your dump here to forums, ill share email address) Even though the Geodimeter is OLD (Last firmware update was 2004), software licenses still apply! You can get into trouble. Probably the whole forum can get into trouble for sharing. But making your own dump, and saving it on your harddrive is ok- for restoring.
@unimogsaar try to read this whole thread ... there are clues on how to communicate with the loader, and how to make the dump.
Your loader starts working without crc error because of missing Software? Or do you have to initiate it also ??ÿ
My 4400 displays only error 54 ( memory empty ) but the?ÿ Hardware is quiet oder..?ÿ i think basic workflow could be the same. I talked to several guys from trimble Service Companys,?ÿ they told me they Use a special Board in there old service PC... i could imagine workflow is the same as yours ??ÿ
I have no idea about 4400 geodimeter. Its different platform than these gdm 600 trimble5500/5600.
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Loader is active because there is no software in RAM. RAM is made non volatile using batteries on board. Loader is in ROM.
Do you still need the firmware ?
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no, i got the latest one already.
It is possible to do a modification adding batteries in parallell when doing the replacement?
Did some googleing. Lithium cells are not supposed to be charged.?ÿ I guess a resistor could be used to limit the current still having the ability to feed the RAM during the switch to new cells.
@bugg you could use a lab power supply to feed the circuit while switching cells
@hvac @robots?ÿ OK, I still need to be sure that the voltage source is firmly connected so I think a bit of soldering and a connector to make it easy next time is the way to go.?ÿ I also think something like a voltage spike can happen if you have a high current drawn by the almost depleated battery and then remove it.?ÿ To reduce the current a resistor should be added in serial. Adding a capacitor could also be done but then it need to be charged before connecting it to the almost depleated battery.?ÿ ?ÿThe RAM only need some micro amps and a 3k resistor over 3 volts would limit the max current to 1 mA. In practice the voltage drop should be less.
I have not received my 5603 yet but the onboard batteries need replacement.?ÿ What type is it?
Is the RAM also holding calibration data unique to each instrument or is it possible to load a generic version?
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There are two batteries, they both are powering ram, and there is DS1211 chip that select which battery it is. You measure both batteries, one will probably be dead already. Replace that one first. but you have to be sure not to touch the other battery, or any other thing on the board.
BTW if you wait a bit, i am going to release tools to backup RAM from 5500/5600/600 stations, so you can replace batteries without any trouble and reupload your previous content.
There are two versions of 600 stations. And only the newer can be dumped without "pencil trick" so far. Analysis of the firmware takes too long. Its something i do after work, but i am loosing motivation to do any more work on 600 station 🙂
@bugg RAM holds calibration data for angle board, coefficients for servo board , etc ,etc .... They put it in RAM to make money on each battery replacement. This way you cannot do it safely at home. And data from different station are not usable with this one ... they work, but the results will be off.
Fantastic Thread, I am setting up to change the batteries 1 5603, plus 2 600 ATS units, I had already changed one set, before realizing that using a low profile on board mount, might be better, I just need to examine the output and do a dump, I ran into a small technical issue, I had no rs232 port on any working computer, so I ordered a cheap laptop off ebay.?ÿ?ÿ (when it came it also did not have the rs232 port) LOL, even though the listing said it did, (it was a VGA port, I tried to use a modified USB cable, but could not get any indication that there was any throughput, so I dusted off an ancient dell unit that was buried under a ton of other stuff in storage.?ÿ Is there any specific indication that the unit has achieved a connection, (except for the pencil workaround) ??ÿ by the way really nice information, about the time this covad 19 stuff started a big company had an auction and no one came, all online, the auctioneer took one blurry picture,?ÿ looked like junk in a container, I wanted the container, but turned out it was filled with mobile, construction equipment, GCS900, MS990, MS992, RTK (site vision) cab control systems, targets, MT900, plus a lot more, but I cant test out a lot of this stuff until I get one of these three machines to shoot a target so I can document that everything works.?ÿ?ÿ I am close to getting this done (finally after three months of constant research) so when I saw this topic, I realized that this could be the missing link to putting all this (stuff) together.?ÿ
I will say that it is a little tricky getting these on the board, I also added a insulator, in front of those bats, to protect against contact inside the unit, as well as holding the batteries in place, in case of vibration. But having a backup in case of a future battery issue would be a wise thing.
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@robots?ÿ ?ÿ Great!?ÿ I have not opened up the 5603 yet, just got it. Will do so and measure the voltage to see if there is any hurry to replace the batteries. Is there any particular brand or type of battery that last longer than others??ÿ Have you made this mod with battery holders?
@robots?ÿ ?ÿ Suspected that that was the case. Talked to my Trimble guy and they still service it but as I have no need for mm precision in my application and will use the unit only 2 or 3 days per year I rather spend less.?ÿ As Trimble officially has ended support for it I feel it is better if I can do basic service myself.?ÿ ?ÿLooking forward to your tools! ????
Checked my batteries, one is 2.72 V and the other is 3.00 V so I guess I am good for now.
You said you were in Europe. If you get really stuck Survey Solutions in Edinburgh still maintain our 5600 so they could probably help out (no doubt at a price!).
@robots?ÿ I am trying to restore a 5603, I also have two ATS units, I cannot get the same result as shown, the real term, running on winxp does not show any output or status, using the eltima, software, will connect, you can see the modem status, using the pencil trick, with eltima, so far does not result in the desired outcome.?ÿ I feel like I am missing something.?ÿ?ÿ The two ATS units, will compensate and measure, but nothing so far results in a condition where the loader is accessible.?ÿ?ÿ The 5603 is in a loop condition, where a dialog warning, expired internal batteries, (they are not expired, they are new) So I changed the date, to 2004, the dialog disappears, but the unit now connects, shows, level screen, then loops back to the connect screen, (likely what is happening is that it knows, that the warning dialog should be displayed, but the date says the batteries are good, so there is a flag in there, that interrupts, the level compensate process, If I could get it to dump the result, I could correct that but so far, nothing seems to create that condition. ?ÿ Any Advice would be greatly appreciated.
Opened the ACU to check the batteries.?ÿ They are 4x 5/4 AAA 800mAh.?ÿ I guess standard NiMh AAA 800 mAh will do as replacement as the 5/4AAA are hard to come by, at least in Europe.
Also ticked the subscribe box for this thread to get notifications. ?????ÿ
