having trouble with one receiver when downloading. i have put it in the freezer and that worked in the past. now it will start to download a file, but partially through it locks up. then i will have to wait an hour or so before it will even hook up and view the files. any suggestions will be appreciated

Do you download the receivers while they are upside down? That seems to always work for me. Other than that, I can think of 2 possible solutions. My way and the LPL way.

My way: Get a long enough cable with DB9 ends to go from your computer to your freezer and put the download puck in the freezer with the locus. Door shut of course.

LPL way: Move the freezer next to your computer. This way you won't have to spring the coin for the cable.

Dangerous Dave

What exactly are you fixing when you put an electronics device in the freezer? The only thing I can imagine is that some electrical connector shrinks because of the cold and makes a better connection.

On any old/aging electronics, I always suspect the capacitors are the first things to go because of age. The electrolyte type will dry up. Furthermore, most electronics built between 2001 and 2006 all suffer from leaking capacitors. Replacing these fixes most stuff.

I would think that putting a Locus in the freezer might be doing something to the plastic window.

CoI can't imagine 25 degrees or so really doing much to the electronics.

I received this tip a year ago and it has worked. I do not know how.
These are old receivers, and probably not worth fixing.

I'm also having problems downloading my Locus receivers. Everything was working fine for years and then one day the software tells me the infrared is not hooked up to the computer. I also have PM2s which still work fine. I've tried all I know including buying a new ACT-IR2000UL with USB hoping it can replace the ACT-IR200L unit. Same results, Solutions does't recognize the IR unit.
I really don't have any use for units if I can't get the data out. Thanks for any suggestions.

CJG

I really don't have any use for units if I can't get the data out.

And still some people are still willing to pay almost a thousand dollars for an L1 unit which can only transfer data through a plastic window.

Imagine if someone could come up with a hard-wired solution?

Anyone tried to take the plastic window off and see if it helps/fixes their problem?

If you can't get the data out of the Locus, and you are sure it isn't a problem/setting on your PC, then I'd have to take the Locii outside, set them up and do a full reset to load firmware by holding down the on button until it quit beeping. Like 15 seconds or so. If it turns itself off after that, then just turn it on and see if it starts finding SVs. Let it run for a while then see if you can download that file.

I used to download my Locii with them setting upright and the download puck on a book or two to line up the IR signal, and sometimes they would give me problems. Turning them upside down on a table top and putting the puck a few inches in front of them also on the table top seems to always work without a hitch.

Dangerous Dave
Modified By Dave Huff on 11/11/2009 at 9:35 PM

When I started hearing about surveyors turning the Locus up-side down to transfer data, I knew the Locus's IR method of transfer was not the way to go.

Can anyone imagine how much money a person could make for coming up with a hard-wired fix for the Locus?

ALL those Locus units that are still sitting around waiting to collect another 24-48 hours of data.

"When I started hearing about surveyors turning the Locus up-side down to transfer data, I knew the Locus's IR method of transfer was not the way to go."

John,

What does that have to do with anything? The Locii have 3 dorsal fins atop the dome antenna cover that allow it to sit on its head just fine.

Most IR data transfer is simply a serial port with a IR blaster on the end. Someone send me their "broken" Locus and I will come up with a fix.

If I remember right the manual called for the unit to sit on it's base, not on it's top.

If I remember right surveyors started puttng the unit on it's top in an attempt to better ensure that they could download data . . . in other words, theywere having problems downloading data with the unit sitting on it's base.

Had it been done ONLY because some surveyors like to do things up-side-down, it wouldn't have impressed me as such.