a stab in the dark...

Before I open this box up, I thought I'd ask here to see if anybody out there has the schematics and/or parts diagram of an X-Rite 310TR densitometer.l Or, barring that, if anybody has actually opened one of these up and replaced the battery responsible for keeping it's clock ticking and it's calibration data while it's powered down.

It's an old beast (this one was in use in 2000 according to some notes in the copy of the manual I received when I obtained the unit) and I'm not willing to spend too much on it.

Thanks, Dave

The year 2000 is old? Wow. Now I feel old, and I'm probably younger than at least 2/3rds of the people here...

14 YEARS AGO IS NOT OLD.

gad.

No, I've never opened one of those up. If it uses a battery, though, one would think it is easily replaceable. I'd start with the bottom plate and see if it's obvious.

olde

I just purchased an Agfa DF-6 Cadet box camera. It was made around 70 years ago. Now THAT is old. It still works but I need to find some Agfa Plenachrome film for it....

I have a simple measure for old versus new. Any equipment younger than I am is new...made since 1951. I don't have too many new cameras, but I do have new(er) darkroom gear.

Dave Swinnard said:

Before I open this box up, I thought I'd ask here to see if anybody out there has the schematics and/or parts diagram of an X-Rite 310TR densitometer.l Or, barring that, if anybody has actually opened one of these up and replaced the battery responsible for keeping it's clock ticking and it's calibration data while it's powered down.

It's an old beast (this one was in use in 2000 according to some notes in the copy of the manual I received when I obtained the unit) and I'm not willing to spend too much on it.

Thanks, Dave

Click to expand...

I would agree with a previous poster that it SHOULD be straightforward... but that doesn't mean it will be.

If you can't find an answer here try asking over at the Large Format Forum, between these two forums I'll bet someone has your answer.

Er, Dave said it was IN USE in 2000, not that it was made then. I think he just wanted us to know it has only been rusting for a dozen or so years, not 50+.

Way outside my sphere of competence, Dave. Good luck!

14 years is not that old but if this is a rechargeable battery (which I suspect after reading the manual) this probably would be defect after 14 years.
In this case you would have to desolder it to change.
Or it might be a RTC module with internal Lithium cell rated for 10 years. In this case probably bad luck.

I agree with Andreas; 14 years may not be old for equipment, but for many batteries it borders on prehistoric. I had forgotten about RTC chips with built-in batteries, that could prove quite challenging (and annoying).

If the OP is lucky, there might be some sort of "coin" cell on the PC board. I have an enlarger timer that screams when I first turn it on (no matter how the switches are set) until I bump the time off zero. I'm now wondering if it used to remember the settings and lost its battery but I've been too lazy to look (and have no manual).

My understanding (from reading old posts) is that there is a soldered on battery on one of the circuit boards inside the beast. Simply removing the bottom panel doesn't give access.

That's why I was asking if anybody had actually opened one on the past or had diagrams of done sort.

I will post over at LFF too and see what happens.

And 14 is not old. Likely rates as one of my newest pieces of darkroom equipment.

X-Rite has always had good support - you might try their web site, look for a phone number, or maybe in the support section, you might find what you need.

Dr Croubie said:

The year 2000 is old? Wow.

Click to expand...

Just a few weeks ago wasn't it?


Steve.

OK, so no luck at all with documentation beyond the readily available operator's manual. I'm awaiting a reply from X-Rite though.

I did have some communications with Sam Coniglio (an authorized service provider) who indicated he had binned his 310 documentation "long ago". He did tell me to check the lithium battery as it likely needed replacing.

So off comes the skin... easy access from the top once the screws holding the plexi top panel are removed. The panel and the whole top half of the unit just pop off then leaving the main display circuit boards accessible. Lo and behold, right there on the back of the right hand board is a big-ass lithium battery. It appears said battery has been replaced at least once in the past as witnessed by the non-factory solder job on it's leads.

So a new battery has been ordered (pricing ranging from just under $5 to over $20 for what appears to be the same battery). And a number of the US suppliers will not ship it to Canada, nor list it as available on the Canadian versions of their websites, though a number of suppliers in do exist here in Canada.

I've included a couple of images of the insides of this beast. Wow, they don't make too many things like this anymore. It's a hugely solid aluminum casting, no flimsy showing here. The circuit boards actually contain components I recognize from my time in the electronics world. Solid late '80s devices here. Most of them big enough to actually solder by hand if necessary. No SMD.


The yellow battery in question:



A full frontal:



(cross posted to LFF)

snapguy said:

I just purchased an Agfa DF-6 Cadet box camera. It was made around 70 years ago. Now THAT is old. It still works but I need to find some Agfa Plenachrome film for it....

Click to expand...

Hey man! I'm almost that old n still work!!!!... That makes me friggin old?? Got dam kids!

O

BTW why not install a bat holder n use a 3v lith like the cr-123 or whatever the 3v bat is. They are readily available in your local RiteAids as well!

Beautiful insides!


!