I have 3 Promark 2s and 1 of them will not lock on to the satellites available.
Have done a code 32 and am trying to initialize the receiver. The sats are showing up and all I get are hollow signal bars that randomly go in and out.
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Bill
did you try swapping one of the other antennas and cable both from another PM2 ?
Ken
The antennas are powered/amplified so it could be a factor.
Modified By Ken Wanagas on 12/2/2009 at 8:30 AM
What date were you having problems with? Last month I had a couple of day where I couldn't get a lock. I code 32, then re-initiated the PM2's to my local, and that seemed to work. A friend of mine yesterday had the same problems with his locus. I started using mission planning on all my gps sessions. The days I was have problem in looking back at mission planning for those date were at bad times. I do wonder if the military had something to do with the problems?
Thanks for the replies.
I have tried changing cables and antennas to no avail.
Also, the first incident ever was November 18, 2009. Initially the receiver would not collect data, so we let it cook on the point and after an hour or so it started to collect data. The data it collecred was good.
Yesterday it wouldn't collect data so we tried to let it cook. It did not ever start getting data.
We had 4 other Promark 2s running at the same time and had no problems with the units or the data.
I have performed the Code 32 several times now and still have not been able to get locked to the satellites.
I had the unit running for several hours trying to get a lock on the satellites and have been unsuccessful.
Bill
I am thinking your antenna power output may be weak, especially with cold droping bateery output.
There was a download cradle available for the Map 330, that allowed you to plug into a cigarette lighter for external power. I have used it to power a ProMark 2 for some "what if" testing. I have 3 PM 2s and in one test I tried to drive a Magellan antenna from the Promark X CM. Two would not do it on internal batteries but the third would so the power output was probably at the high end of the specs. BTW, this antenna has an internal battery setup, 6 AAs, with an on/off switch. My Super CAs can drive it with the power switch off. With the Map 330 cradle and a 12 volt jump start battery I have been able to have my ProMark 2s drive an Ashtech Geodetic Whopper L1/L2 antenna.
If you have the external battery pack, originally 4 AAs, later 6 AAs, go to Radio Shack and buy an 8 AA battery holder and try that. I replaced my Ashtech 4 AA holders with Radio Shack 4 AAs. I use 8 AA holders with 8 used AAs or the lower voltage 1.2 volt rechargeables on my PM 2s occassionally, but lately my work has been of short enough duration that 2 brand new internal AAs are less hassle. Come cold weather and I am back to adding the external packs.
Paul in PA
Modified By Lawrence Paul Lopresti on 12/2/2009 at 12:42 PM
I've been using an external power supply from the get go. It's a 6 volt gel cell that will run these things 3 days straight. The connection to the Promark came from Ashtech when I bought them.
Also tried initializing without the external antenna, no luck.
Just powered down after 3 hours of trying and did a Code 32. Currently trying to initialize.
Thanks again for the input.
I might think the LNA in the antenna was failing, but since you can't get it to work when swapping antennas and cables, it's obviously something internal in the receiver.
Just spoke with Phil a few minutes ago.
Sounds like the unit is going for repairs.
That Ashtech went to a 6 AA holder means it takes 9 volts OK. That I tried 12 volts was at my risk. 8 AA rechargeables is 10.6 volts. The 12 volt Map 330 adaptor may have a voltage limiter, I don't know.
Sounds like a job for a multimeter.
I was unable to locate my multimeter this afternoon. I have the Map 330 cradle and was going to test power out to the antenna with internal batteries, and every external combination I have. BTW you want to test t the end of the antenna cable not in the tight connector on the back of the PM2. Too easy to short it out and you need the cable once the receiver is in the cradle.
Paul in PA
Tested 3 PM2s with used internal batteries only, at the antenna end of the antenna cable, 5V.
There must be some kind of jump transformer in that little bitty package.
Checked a bunch of new AA batteries, 1.55V each.
Took 1 PM2, put in 2 new batteries (3.1V) and check output to antenna, 5V.
Put 4 new batteries in an external battery holder and find 6.1V at the connector. Check output at the cradle connectors, 3.2V. Must be some kind of reducer in that grey box in the power line.
Put the PM2 in the cradle, turn on, check that the PM2 is using external power and see 5V at the antenna end.
Put 8 new batteries in a Radio Shack battery holder and find 12.5V at the connector. Check output at the cradle connectors, 3.2V.
Put the PM2 in the cradle, turn on, check that the PM2 is using external power and see 5V at the antenna end.
Check my jumpstart battery, 12.8V out.
Plug in my Map 330 power connector and find 3.5V at the cradle power connectors. It has a grey box inline also.
Put the PM2 in the cradle, turn on, check that the PM2 is using external power and see 5.2V at the antenna end.
Knowing that the power is reduced I will not hesitate to use 8 bsttery holders for external power in the future.
So Bill, if you don't see 5+/-V at the antenna end of the cable it needs to go back. If you do see that voltage it needs to go back. Easy choice, huh?
Paul in PA
At the local Interstate Battery store I learned that the little gray box is called a step and that it reduced the voltage to approximately 3v.
I tried another Promark antenna and cable that worked on one of the other units still with no results.
Waiting to hear from Magellan as to where to send the faulty unit.
Once again, thanks for all the input.
Bill
It really does sound like something inside the PM2. They used to "repair" swap one on the shelf for the one sent in for repairs when they had some PM2s available.
With the PM2 being past its end of (supported) life cycle there may be a very limited choice available.
If the choices get slim at least keep the antenna on the shelf. a replacement antenna, even if for one of the other PM2s (and PM3s), is about $700
Ken
Before sending the unit off, I would suggest that you reload the firmware. That is an easy process and only takes about 15 minutes or so.
The contact info in my profile is correct.
Buy one and check your antenna power output. If it is not stepped up to 5 volts you have a serious problem. The ProMark 2 is like Humpty Dumpty, they can take it apart but they can't get it back together again. If Magellan will take it in, they probably still have replacements.
If you were near me I could use a signal splitter with a DC blocker and power an antenna from another receiver as a check. Not many people have those toys.
Paul in PA
Modified By Lawrence Paul Lopresti on 12/3/2009 at 10:31 AM
Voltage regulator... google it.