Winter project

[[email protected]]

Just changed the memory battery in my Cambridge model 20 GPS recorders.
No big deal, Rex who the Cambridge dealer at Williams Soaring showed me
how:

+ Purchase new batteries #2325 from local drug store/ radio shack.

+ Power up your GPS in order not to lose memory and security.

+ Remove 2 screws that hold antenna.

+ Under antenna you will see the battery, hold clip up and slide old
battery out.

+ Slip new battery in (+ up)

+ Replace antenna and screws.

Now that wasn't all that hard, was it? I used a small screw driver to
hold the retaining clip up, it would be a good idea to NOT touch the
case with any tool used to remove the battery. Case is probably
negative and we're working on the positive side of the battery. If you
get a spark followed by a puff of smoke------------------------I have
found the only way to get that little puff of smoke back inside the
little black box is to send it back to the factory.

Enjoy,
JJ
PS, My memory battery now reads 3.3 Volts, not its normal 2.8

PS #2, A day was lost at the standard nats this year because of "No
Trace"

[Papa3]

JJ,

Sounds easy enough. One question though - wouldn't you now have a "security
invalid" message for all traces? Not that it matters for non-record/badge
work, but...

Erik Mann
LS8-18 (P3)
> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Just changed the memory battery in my Cambridge model 20 GPS recorders.
> No big deal, Rex who the Cambridge dealer at Williams Soaring showed me
> how:
>
> + Purchase new batteries #2325 from local drug store/ radio shack.
>
> + Power up your GPS in order not to lose memory and security.
>
> + Remove 2 screws that hold antenna.
>
> + Under antenna you will see the battery, hold clip up and slide old
> battery out.
>
> + Slip new battery in (+ up)
>
> + Replace antenna and screws.
>
> Now that wasn't all that hard, was it? I used a small screw driver to
> hold the retaining clip up, it would be a good idea to NOT touch the
> case with any tool used to remove the battery. Case is probably
> negative and we're working on the positive side of the battery. If you
> get a spark followed by a puff of smoke------------------------I have
> found the only way to get that little puff of smoke back inside the
> little black box is to send it back to the factory.
>
> Enjoy,
> JJ
> PS, My memory battery now reads 3.3 Volts, not its normal 2.8
>
> PS #2, A day was lost at the standard nats this year because of "No
> Trace"
>

[Marc Ramsey]

Papa3 wrote:
> Sounds easy enough. One question though - wouldn't you now have a "security
> invalid" message for all traces? Not that it matters for non-record/badge
> work, but...

No, the GPS-NAV is designed such that you can replace the battery
without breaking the security seal. That is why power must be applied,
the contents of the security memory are then maintained by the external
power source. If no external power is connected when the battery is
removed, the contents of the security memory will be lost, and the
electronic seal will be broken.

Marc

[Bob Fidler]

Same explanation for a 302 would be appreciated.
"Marc Ramsey" > wrote in message
m...
> Papa3 wrote:
>> Sounds easy enough. One question though - wouldn't you now have a
>> "security
>> invalid" message for all traces? Not that it matters for
>> non-record/badge
>> work, but...
>
> No, the GPS-NAV is designed such that you can replace the battery without
> breaking the security seal. That is why power must be applied, the
> contents of the security memory are then maintained by the external power
> source. If no external power is connected when the battery is removed,
> the contents of the security memory will be lost, and the electronic seal
> will be broken.
>
> Marc

[Eric Greenwell]

The 302 manual makes no mention of an internal battery, so I assume
there is no need to change it. I don't know how they handle trashing the
security seal if the box is opened.

Bob Fidler wrote:

> Same explanation for a 302 would be appreciated.
> "Marc Ramsey" > wrote in message
> m...
>
>>Papa3 wrote:
>>
>>>Sounds easy enough. One question though - wouldn't you now have a
>>>"security
>>>invalid" message for all traces? Not that it matters for
>>>non-record/badge
>>>work, but...
>>
>>No, the GPS-NAV is designed such that you can replace the battery without
>>breaking the security seal. That is why power must be applied, the
>>contents of the security memory are then maintained by the external power
>>source. If no external power is connected when the battery is removed,
>>the contents of the security memory will be lost, and the electronic seal
>>will be broken.
>>
>>Marc
>
>
>


--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[Marc Ramsey]

Eric Greenwell wrote:
> The 302 manual makes no mention of an internal battery, so I assume
> there is no need to change it. I don't know how they handle trashing the
> security seal if the box is opened.

There is an internal long-life lithium battery, it just doesn't need to
be replaced on a routine basis. Eventually, I suspect, it will need
replacement (perhaps after 10 years or so), in which case the 302 will
need to be returned to Cambridge or one of its agents...

Marc

[John Sinclair]

I wasn't paying much attention to this (Back-up battery)
until I loaded a site into my model 20, took the little
black box out to my sailplane, turned it on and it
said, 'No turn points loaded'. What's this? I just
did that? Took it back in the house, powered up the
box and loaded them again. Back out to the ship and
(you guessed it)------no turnpoints loaded. Ah Ha,
bet that little back-up battery (the one that was 9
years old) has taken a dump. The replacement battery
was stamped 'Lithium'. I have decided to change them
every 5 years.
JJ



At 22:00 01 January 2005, Marc Ramsey wrote:
>Eric Greenwell wrote:
>> The 302 manual makes no mention of an internal battery,
>>so I assume
>> there is no need to change it. I don't know how they
>>handle trashing the
>> security seal if the box is opened.
>
>There is an internal long-life lithium battery, it
>just doesn't need to
>be replaced on a routine basis. Eventually, I suspect,
>it will need
>replacement (perhaps after 10 years or so), in which
>case the 302 will
>need to be returned to Cambridge or one of its agents...
>
>Marc
>
>

[HL Falbaum]

Do you know that for sure or could it be some type of non-volatile memory?
That Dittle FSG71M has a built-in Lithium battery for it's memory which is
soldered into the PC board and looks like a capacitor. Dittle recommends
changing every 5-6 years. Not a job for amateurs.

--
Hartley Falbaum
"Marc Ramsey" > wrote in message
...
> Eric Greenwell wrote:
>> The 302 manual makes no mention of an internal battery, so I assume there
>> is no need to change it. I don't know how they handle trashing the
>> security seal if the box is opened.
>
> There is an internal long-life lithium battery, it just doesn't need to be
> replaced on a routine basis. Eventually, I suspect, it will need
> replacement (perhaps after 10 years or so), in which case the 302 will
> need to be returned to Cambridge or one of its agents...
>
> Marc
>

[Stewart Kissel]

>PS, My memory battery now reads 3.3 Volts, not its
>normal 2.8
>


JJ-

You got me motivated to check mine...using the Cambridge
Aero program...with the Model 20 hooked up to your
puter...you can right click to properties and get the
backup voltage....3.9 for me, I usually leave mine
hooked to house voltage when out of the ship...never
saw anything saying that was bad.

[Marc Ramsey]

HL Falbaum wrote:
> Do you know that for sure or could it be some type of non-volatile memory?
> That Dittle FSG71M has a built-in Lithium battery for it's memory which is
> soldered into the PC board and looks like a capacitor. Dittle recommends
> changing every 5-6 years. Not a job for amateurs.

Yes, the 302 has a lithium battery to provide backup for an internal
volatile memory (I believe the flight logs are store in flash memory,
however). It can't be replaced by the owner, as it requires opening the
case, which will break the security seal. In a few years I'm sure we'll
be hearing on r.a.s. just how long this battery lasts...

Marc

[HL Falbaum]

Thanks---
I have a 302 and not a word in the manual about it! No "page" of the 302
divulges the condition of the battery to warn of impending failure. Perhaps
we should all email Cambridge to request a firmware change or some direction
in the manual.

How did you learn of this situation?

Thanks again for the info
--
Hartley Falbaum
ASW27B "KF" USA

"Marc Ramsey" > wrote in message
...
> HL Falbaum wrote:
>> Do you know that for sure or could it be some type of non-volatile
>> memory?
>> That Dittle FSG71M has a built-in Lithium battery for it's memory which
>> is soldered into the PC board and looks like a capacitor. Dittle
>> recommends changing every 5-6 years. Not a job for amateurs.
>
> Yes, the 302 has a lithium battery to provide backup for an internal
> volatile memory (I believe the flight logs are store in flash memory,
> however). It can't be replaced by the owner, as it requires opening the
> case, which will break the security seal. In a few years I'm sure we'll
> be hearing on r.a.s. just how long this battery lasts...
>
> Marc
>