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vk3rwo_battery_change [2020/03/01 00:20] vk3smb created |
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After more than 2 years of flawless service, the inevitable has happened and the 6 year old truck batteries at the site have finally given up the ghost. | After more than 2 years of flawless service, the inevitable has happened and the 6 year old truck batteries at the site have finally given up the ghost. | ||
- | You can not knock [[https:// | + | You can not knock a [[https:// |
+ | |||
+ | Unfortunately, | ||
+ | |||
+ | On Monday 24th Feb 2020, after work, I made the drive up to the site with a new (re-purposed - left over from a job about 10 years ago) regulator and some tools. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I got up to the site, Opened the cabinet, chased the spiders out, checked the batteries, and 0.5V. bugger. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In typical Auto electrician fashion, We jump started the repeater (literally). | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | With this. the repeater fired up straight away, yet no charge from the solar controller, even though it could see the battery voltage there now. I started my vehicle, and found the batteries sucking nearly 60A, meaning one of them is more or less a dead short. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Regardless I changed the regulator as, A, it had to be done, and B, this regulator has some brains, if it isnt working, it shuts down. | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | Who cares if it isnt straight. It lined up to existing holes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now this little jaycar regulator, was in the service body of my work truck for 9 years then on the repeater site here. it has done a wonderful job for what it was: | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Unfortunately, | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the weekend of the 29th Feb, I grabbed a couple of truck batteries (new ones this time), and made the trek up the hill. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For those who think maintaining a repeater site is a walk in the park, you need to have a look at this video. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Youtube link: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Almost at the top of the hill, my front wheel kicked up a rock about the size of a football, and threw it into the transfer case. No damage done, I am driving the vehicle effectionally known as "the tank" (watch the video, you will hear it)!. | ||
+ | |||
+ | With the help of my youngest daughter, we changed the batteries, gave the panel a wipe down and checked the voltages. | ||
+ | |||
+ | My 9 year old daughter has taken these photos with her Christmas Present! | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | And back down the hill we came: | ||
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+ | Youtube link: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ youtube> | ||
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+ | For all intent and purposes, These batteries have been dying for quite some time. the repeater is definitely stronger now than it has been for some time. I wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | While we were up there, we did some thinking about [[site_linking_planning|Site linking planning]] for the other sites. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ARV (Amateur radio victoria) needs to take notice of this. From finding out the repeater had died, to checking what is needed, to repairing the repeater and having it back on air, has taken 1 WEEK. not 2 weeks, not 1 month, not 1 year, not 11 years, 1 WEEK, and I work a full time job. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Thats right CE, 1 entire WEEK. |