Another wotnot brain teaser

[wotnot]

Once you build up some cred at diagnosing/fixing industrial electronics, you end up getting some really niche products on the workbench.

Like this one ;




Problem with this unit, is missing segments on the LCD display, which I've removed from the case above to find out what's going awry.

As you can see below, I managed to divine the issue, and get all the segments working again (no, I didn't do the shonky hotmelt glue job or mod wire, that's factory assembly) -- it was missing 8 segments in various locations as per original fault ('cannot read display') ... cheap&nasty assembly of using a cut-up DIL IC socket as the mounting receptacle for the LCD display legs is the problem....ugh, ffs..) ;




The PCB itself is a weird thing, obviously meant to cater for several different design/function implementations. Then I see the back side of the unit - the enclosure is die-cast alloy ;



Me scratching my head ~ what the blazes do they use this for?

Sent a sms asking just that, and got back a nice full explanation of the how & why behind it's purpose, and TBH I went 'far pharking out man, that's just awesome!'

Anyone wanna hazard a guess what you're looking at here? =)

Or how about a simple question -- the flight time of what is being measured by this device?

note: the black plastic spudger, white relay & solder reel are making cameo appearances to hide unit identification labels

[lsemmens]

It could be used in an ultralight as a "black box" or similar functions in a truck, tractor or any other machinery that requires a log of hours used.

[wotnot]

It could be used in an ultralight as a "black box" or similar functions in a truck, tractor or any other machinery that requires a log of hours used.

The unit does not measure the endurance/performance of a machine, it is however from the agricultural sector =)

[wotnot]

The IC at top is the LCD driver, below it a PIC16F877 MCU. The 14p DIL top right is a maxim max231 xceiver with the serial port header to it's right (connects to the 'interface' socket on back panel), power regulation by lm317, header pins (J4) connect to front panel membrane switch. Multiturn trimpot adjusts load beam signal. The interface port on the back can be connected via din5->db9 to connect to PC serial (com: port), or can be connected to a BT dongle for wireless operation.

[Jma]

Drone?

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Crop duster / sprayer?

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[wotnot]

Drone?

Has nothing to do with flying machines =)

[wotnot]

Crop duster / sprayer?

It plays no part in crop maintenance operations =^)

[loopyloo]

If you're timing a bull ride in a rodeo, do they call it flight time ?

[wotnot]

If you're timing a bull ride in a rodeo, do they call it flight time ?

Not bad loopy, but no cigar -- you have twigged that proper connotation of the English is required, and you've correctly identified animal species....however, it has nothing to do with riding bulls or rodeos =)

[loopyloo]

Got it.
I'll message you with the answer so as to not spoil it for others.

PS. Flight time?. Who could have guessed a device like this is needed to measure how long it takes for the cow to jump over the moon.

[lsemmens]

measures how long it takes a politician to come up with his bull sh*t.

seriously: time spent servicing cows?

[wotnot]

Got it.
I'll message you with the answer so as to not spoil it for others.

PS. Flight time?. Who could have guessed a device like this is needed to measure how long it takes for the cow to jump over the moon.

Well loopyloo has managed to correctly identify the unit, and has tossed out another cryptic clue...but I'll leave this hang here for the rest of today, to see if anyone else can figure it out =)

I'll toss in a visual clue .... image of the 'load beams' ....

[wotnot]

All repaired and back together;




To quote loopyloo's words ;

Yep, I was taking in the clues.
Firstly, no way poor quality electronics would find their way into aircraft. Then, Measures seconds only, down to 2 decimal places and with a quick reset. Load beams? I assumed some sort of trigger or sensor. and your answer to my bull ride question which confirmed bovine. So I tried a google search with "cow flight time" . Try it.

The company this repair is for, are cattle breeders, and a 'good' slow flight time increases the sale value of their beasts =)

[mandc]

Livestock weigh scales?

[wotnot]

Livestock weigh scales?

Mt previous reply is the answer

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hmmm, need to install those at the exits of some of the BBQ restaraunts here in town. Some of the regular patrons have a difficult time getting from their tables to the door. A good slow flight time = a frequent flier discount.

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