Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: GDC IMB

This is topic GDC IMB in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Chatchat Kerdkhem (Member # 8565) on 04-10-2018, 10:34 PM:

How to replace GDC IMB battery?
May I have instruction ?
Please help.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 04-11-2018, 06:20 AM:

I plan to use a battery change kit from GDC, or maybe you can find enough information to improvise. The kit - I haven't seen one although one should arrive for me this week - apparently has an external battery that gets connected to power the secure memory while the board's batteries are changed. The board batteries are an uncommon type, but you should be able to source them from other places than GDC. I recommend that you contact GDC to get their kit and instructions.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-11-2018, 07:35 AM:

More information is in this thread.

The short version is that some IMB models use the easily available (as in, you can buy them from multiple manufacturers and dealers) CR2354 battery, while others use the proprietary Tadiran TL-2450. If your IMB is in warranty, just give GDC its serial number and they will ship you replacement batteries at no extra charge. If it's not still in warranty, then if it takes CR2354s, you can buy them from Amazon or wherever; but if it takes the Tadiran ones, then you'll probably have to look around a bit.

My understanding is that the temporary AA battery pack while you swap out the main battery arrangement only applies to the Series 1-style SDI media blocks. The IMBs have two batteries, that you replace one at a time, in order to avoid losing the certificate.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-11-2018, 11:00 AM:

The version One IMB uses two of the the CR2354 Battery and the AR version of the IMB and the SX-3000 use two of the Tadrain TL-2450. Note that the TL-2450 is NOT a proprietary battery. Its available in a multitude of places including Allied Radio for USD $6.36 in single quantities. Never remove both batteries when replacing them as the are in parallel. Only remove and replace one battery at a time!!

For Servers with internal media blocks that have dual link HDSDI you will need the battery adapter from GDC to safely pull off switching out the batteries. These batteries are in series, so you can not just remove one at a time and replace them. You have to apply back up power to this media block first in order to change them out. The special back up battery pack has to come from GDC. This is shown in the picture.This media block requires two AAA Lithium Batteries.

Tadrain TL-2450 Link

Mark

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-11-2018, 10:54 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
Note that the TL-2450 is NOT a proprietary battery.

Is that model made by any manufacturer besides Tadiran? The last time I had a look around online, I couldn't find any generic version. I think I found Panasonic and Renata for the CR2354, though.

Maybe GDC moved to the Tadirans because they thought that those little pins gave a more secure contact than the CR2354s.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 04-12-2018, 07:42 AM:

I've replaced Tadiran batteries in a few devices - mostly handheld GPS units - and although readily available online these batteries did not have any "generic" substitutes.
So I think you're stuck with the genuine articles.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-12-2018, 11:49 AM:

Yes, even GDC sends out the genuine Tadrains... I have never found a substitute for them either. I think the reason for using them was capacity vs current drain. The tadrains barely last three years... I actually had two units lose certificatess at three years and about ten days. So it's best to replace them before the three year point that GDC reccomends. I've been putting a small white sticker on the servers with the date that new ones were installed. GDC has mentioned they ARE working on adding a battery life indicator to the firmwre. NO doubt this has also caused them a lot of grief having to ship replacement SX-3000's all over the place.

The Dual link HDSDI media blocks and the first generation IMB seem to go well past five years of battery life with the CR2354's.

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-12-2018, 12:02 PM:

The 2000AR also go more like 5+ years. I find 3-years on a certificate battery unacceptable. It should be more like 10-years. Use a super-capacitor that is backed up by a battery AND include appropriate warning.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-13-2018, 08:44 PM:

Interestnigly, while I was laid up in the hospital in Feb a customer called me needing service. I refered him to Wrong Technical Support only because they were closest to him, and because all he needed was an ignitor installed in his NC-1200. Well, he also had the Wrong guy change the batteries in the SX-3000's while he was there and in less than a month those batteries failed and both servers had to be swapped out. The batteries the Worng guy installed came from GDC just a month before!! I;m glad the Wrong guy didn't mess with the TMS!

Mark