Where is it? Can't find anything that remotely looks like the battery pictured in a manual downloaded. Recently purchased this instrument used and "battery expired" message comes up on the CU display.
Pretty sure that is a pro shop fix only. But if you figure out a hack , let me know, my Orange CU is telling me the same thing!!!
That is a trick they learned/carried over from Geodimeter. If you get 4 or 5 yrs from the internal battery, that's good. I do not believe there is a 'hack'.
It has to go back to the shop for replacement. The good side is that they also check everything out and upgrade any firmware to the latest & greatest. It's all "free", but will cost you a few hundred dollars & obvious down time & major inconvience.
Ask for a loaner. Likely there will be no charge for that from a good vendor.
I do not like hate it when manufacturers make it impossible for DIY's to replace maintenance items like batteries. It's like surveyors using dissolving monuments that are gone after 5 years.
Thanks folks, confirming what I suspected. Stinks, but I got a good deal on the package. Just had all 4 12V batteries recelled, so now to the shop for a internal battery. Can't be more than a button cell for setting memory.
> Can't be more than a button cell for setting memory.
Are you sure?
Example, on the Leica systems, when the battery goes on the controllers (900/1200 series), the board needs to be changed. That's I was told by Leica Canada anyway. I expect this to happen at age 6-7 of the data collector. Hopefully, it will not be too expensive. It sounds expensive though...
In all fairness to Leica, they do service their equipment for a long time. Look at Dave's story of his 1103, that's getting to be an old gun, + 10 years old.
Good luck
I ordered 4 Trimble 5601 Total Stations, with 360 prisms Data Collector and a bunch of other stuff. I hope that 1 or 2 of them will have some life in the internal battery. We ordered a pig in a poke, but the price was right. The last time I had the internal battery replaced on our Geodimeter 620' it was almost $900. I would like to check it out a little before dropping money on it. If we decide not to fix them, I think they will make good boat anchors.
Yes and I better not hear any whining from the Chief on that instrument because we got it for free from Caltrans. 1 or 2 thousand to get it fully functional is pretty cheap when a new one costs 30k.
Just for information, I have used geodimeters at least five years after the internal battery message comes up. I have never had one fail because of it.
I have had, however, a Trimble 4800 receiver not work because of a dead internal battery.
I've had to replace the internal battery twice in my 5600, I seem to get about 4 to 5 years before I get the battery message. I was told by my repair shop not to let the battery completely die as then the instrument would need to be sent to Trimble to reinstall the firmware. I watched them replace it last time, doesn't take long, he needed to keep it plugged into an external power source while the battery was being replaced. Not really a "do it yourself" project.
I wondered about that! How do you work around the message that pops up continuously? I always feel like the instrument is going to melt down if I don't get it replaced. Thanks, Jp
Exactly... not a do it yourself repair.
The message usually comes up after 3 years or so.
The bad thing is that the instrument could die tomorrow....or run for another 6 months before the battery dies.
We are authorized to do Trimble/Spectra repairs. There are two sets of memory batteries. One set in the instrument and one in the CPU. The message "Replace Internal Memory Batteries" is set to alert the user in three years. The batteries generally have a longer life span however getting them changed on time prevents you from losing your programs, your data and your calibration values. Normal costs I have seen are anywhere from 400-600. That includes the batteries and the calibration. The repair must be done in a service center, it is impossible for a user to do it.
Thanks for the info. It will go in for service soon, just went to work as an emergency replacement for an S6 that was hit by a truck.
> The repair must be done in a service center, it is impossible for a user to do it.
That's what they told me about the internal batteries in the 4000SSi, and the radio in the Allegro CX.
Note that I did have a service center do the job on my Geodimeter 640 robot, but "impossible for a user to do it" always looks like a challenge to me.
I only say that because Trimble service software would be needed to reset the dates that the next message pops up. It would also be required for reprogramming the unit once the user takes off both batteries at the same time not knowing that it causes the loss of the program.
Trimble 5603 Internal Battery
> I only say that because Trimble service software would be needed to reset the dates that the next message pops up. It would also be required for reprogramming the unit once the user takes off both batteries at the same time not knowing that it causes the loss of the program.
Aloha, my 5603 gave internal battery expired alert yesterday for the first time. I call the local dealer (they are on a different Hawaiian island--I have to ship it to them), very sweet person, mentioned it will cost around $800-$1000 for the battery change. Does the price sound right? Apparently, they have solder the battery on the pcb board. He said once the battery is change the gun need to be calibrated. He also said I can keep using it for a while. Any idea how long I can use it? Some of you on this thread indicated you are keep using it...
Thank you!
Geodimeter 640
Hello Jim
I see that you have Geodimeter 640 station, so you could help me, but first I want to thank you for instructions about replacing internal batteries on 4000SSi. My college is replace them in 3 and they work fine...
I got Geodimeter 640M few days ago. When I try to power on it just beep once and I get massage on CU "Program lost config impossible". Internal batteries in instrument are OK, but I didn't check internal batteries in CU. I will check them today, but I need help. Is it possible that all programs are gone, and that I must send it to service?
Regards
As others have said the battery is internal. It can be replaced by soldering a new one on the board. The issue is that the software and settings in the unit have to be copied off and then copied back on and we DIY'ers can't do that, st least that I am aware. The message has absolutely nothing to do with the battery condition, as it is just a timed message from the last date of change
After talking to three different repair people: this battery replacement and calibration is a shop only project. If the batteries die you are SOL as the firmware is no longer available and the batteries are no longer made. I'm getting my 610 done now so I can squeeze another 3 years out before it needs to be scrapped and replaced:'( Also, one of the three will no longer service the 5600 series and geodimeters as they are a "Trimble shop" and are following company rules
