I have a Trimble S6 that is making a horrible "grinding" noise when the instrument is first turned on and says Initializing. It seems to do it when the radio connects too. Anybody else experienced this? Just trying to prepare for how expensive the fix will be...
(FWIW, I have tried about three sets up Tri-max legs and it is NOT a tripod issue.)
Ours do make a little noise, but nothing "horrible"!
Chr.
We are used to the little noises, but this one is more severe.
> We are used to the little noises, but this one is more severe.
Maybe it's time for a service call.
You must have added the sausage-maker option to your instrument
Do not buy trimble..... check!
ok another instrument off the list.
I have bad news for you, my s6 did it in december, it is the servo motor worm screw that drives the telescope focus mechanism.
It sounds really horrible, i have a sound clip of it my phone. Basically when you start up , the instrument return the telescope to wide zoom i think, same as a digital camera, that sound you hear is the stripped worm gear turning the focus lenses.
It comes again when you try connect with the radio, as it does the routine again.
To confirm the problem, start it up, wait for the sound to go and then try to turn the focus knob, if you hear it again, this is your problem.
Good news, it was not excessivly costly, cost me R 10 000.00 which is about $1000 us dollars, and i claimed it back from my insurers and they paid no sweat.
When the instrument came back a week later i noticed the autofocus on the scope was turned off, i have left it off as although its a nice to have, that rapid turn of the worm drive to give instant focus is maybe helping stress the part.
Perhaps trimble should shift to ultrasonic motors to turn the lenses as nikon and canon do on their dslr lenses.
Good luck.
I have Autofocus ticked in Instrument Settings (Long Press on the instrument icon below the battery levels, Trimble Access).
I have never actually seen it focus for me though, when I am sighting a retro target for example. That is with "Tracking" distance measurement switched on as well, so it does know the distance.
Ah I found the calibration setting for Autofocus on the Instrument face 2 display.
I imagine this has never been done. Seem to need a prism at 500m+ distance to sight to though which is not something I have easy access to.
Yes it was not activated, you need to calibrate it first to a prim at 500 m or so . The autofocus only works when you turn to a back site or a known point, it calculates the focus setting, and you will hear the focus motor instantly turn the correct focus and the object is in sight.
It is great for long distance back sights or trig beacons.
Just spray the whole thing down liberally with WD 40!
🙂
N
