TSC2 Battery

I am sure you probably have already, but if not you can try tightening the screws that hold it down some. We just bought three a few weeks ago and they arent cheap.Had a fourth one that wouldnt sync and that is all it was.

Have you tried http://www.batteryrevival.com/ ?

Art Dias is good and fair from long experience !

Cheers

Derek

I just bought 2, the first time I had to replace since I bought the dc's in 2006. 5+ years sounds like a really good run to me.

Because of the ports, I seriously doubt you could get them anywhere else.They are not able to be recelled as far as I can tell.

Seriously, is $250 for a battery that powers your critial piece of field equipment, as well as enables communications, too much to pay?

I do believe Trimble overcharges for some things, this isn't one of them. That seems like a fair price for what it is.

Now, do I think they should have built the comms functionality into the unit itself and just use standard batteries? Yes. But it is what it is.

I agree, we have had a similiar experience with the TSC2 batteries.

> Now, do I think they should have built the comms functionality into the unit itself and just use standard batteries? Yes. But it is what it is.

I like Trimble products. But working in the winter at -30, -40 degrees, this here design is weak, annoying and expensive. As far as winter surveying goes, the TSC1 remains the best controller that I have ever used in regards of Trimble equipment.

The battery compartment on the receiver is a also poorly designed for winter applications. There should a sliding lock similar to the Leica systems, much better design in that regard.

We've had this unit for about 5 years and its been used heavily. I'm not complaining about the life of the battery. I guess I just got some sticker shop since I was expecting the $40-$60 range that the TSCe runs.

On a very related note, we are receiving 2 TSC3's today so this collector was immediately demoted to the third string. So I guess that was a factor in the $250 tag.

I'm green with envy! Please post some information about your TSC3 experiences.

Consider the value of easily replaced comms connectors -

We old geezers remember the days of the Trimble TSC1 data collector - that was before Bluetooth so the data collectors were always connected to cables in the field.

Problems with the port receptacles were all too common, either from bent/jammed pins or wear that reached the point where the receptacles would no longer hold the plugs and the cables would disconnect all by themselves.

The only Trimble-approved repair required replacement of the entire flex-board assembly, and depending on the parts price at the time that repair could cost well over $2,000. Seems like quite a bit to replace a receptacle.

Also, the data collector had to go to the shop, so add in the downtime and general hassle that comes with being without the equipment for however long it took for shipping and repair. Even if the dealer provided a rental or loaner unit, there was still be a certain amount of disruption.

With the appropriate desoldering equipment it was possible to replace just the receptacle, which reduced the cost of repair quite a bit. But the job still required complete disassembly of the TSC1 and much handling of the flex-board assembly. As with open-heart surgery, there was always a real chance of losing the "patient" on the operating table. I guess I was lucky and never lost one during the procedure, but it was always an anxious moment waiting to see if the TSC1 would boot up again after reassembly.

The communications components in the PowerBoot assembly cost nickels or dimes to produce and add to the assembly, but if those same components were built into the main data collector they would cost hundreds of dollars to repair.

Hope this helps.

GB

Consider the value of easily replaced comms connectors -

Excellent post, Glen.

I just hope they would design something that works at -40 deg Celcius like the TSC1 used to do.

Small % of world's population even knows -40 degrees exists

We wrestled with the same -40 degrees issues here in Wyoming and Montana once in a while so I definitely hear and appreciate your concerns.

But in the big world-wide picture, the manufacturers would not be passing up much potential market by ignoring everyone who thinks they want to work at temperatures colder than say 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C).

GB

Small % of world's population even knows -40 degrees exists

I agree, basic business decisions based on business plan / market profiles. Same deal with the TGO story.

Consider the value of easily replaced comms connectors -

Glenn: thanks for posting that. It now makes sense what they did.

I have a hard time sympathizing when someone complains about a relatively small cost on a piece of equipment that is basically the lifeblood of the field operation.

For our TSC2's, one gets used 98% of the time, the other hardly ever. Even so, I replaced both batteries. I also keep plenty of spare batteries for the GPS units. If I lose one day in the field because of a battery (it has happened), the cost of the GPS batteries ($75 for good ones )pales in comparision to the cost of having to go back. I also like to have power cables as a backup as well.

John-

I'm not shilling for Art.

He does an excellent job and is very fair.

I sent a message off to Art Dias regarding your plight and he replied:

"Yes I do repair these batteries for $119. Send him to this website www.batteryrevival.com and it is shown right on the home page."

Cheers

Derek

Derek, that is good to know. I asked my dealer if he knew of anyone who could recell it, and he said no, it was not able to be re-celled.

Consider the value of easily replaced comms connectors -

Although it is relatively cheap, especially a few days after picking up a couple new gnss receivers, I still like to save the company a few bucks. I wasn't asking for sympathy nor was I complaining. Just asking for some help, which I received from a guy who had an extra battery laying around that he wasn't using. Thank you.