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H05001
Real Time Clock Data Error on a TDC-8, DB-400 or DB-100 - Causes and Preventative Measures
A Real Time Clock error occurs in a data collector if there is an interruption in power or if a surge of power
occurs. When a real time clock error occurs, the date & time stored in the unit reverts to a default setting. Count
data that is stored in the unit may or may not be lost when this occurs.
If you encounter a real time clock error, first check to see if any data has been lost. To do this, select Review
from the main menu. If the review menu reports that no count data is found in memory, then there is no count
data left that can be retrieved. If the review shows counts still stored, they can then be downloaded.
There are three potential causes of a real time clock error:
1. Use of a generic serial cable for the download, instead of a JAMAR download cable.
JAMAR count boards only use three pins of the nine pin connector for the download of data to the computer. If a
generic serial cable (such as a Radio Shack brand) is used, voltage can be picked up on some of the unused
pins. This does not occur with all computers, so a generic cable may be okay with some computers and not
others. Also, current electronic components are more sensitive to this problem than older ones, so you may find
that the generic cable works okay with older count boards but not with newer ones.
The JAMAR download cable only connects the three pins that are used, and blocks the other six, preventing
unwanted voltage. If you are using a generic cable, it should be replaced with a JAMAR cable (part #J-8866),
otherwise you run the risk of data loss. (Note that some older JAMAR download cables had two plugs on the end
that connect to the data collector, a black plug and a beige plug. The BLACK plug should be used for the
download. Use of the beige plug, which was for downloading different equipment, could cause the real time clock
error to occur.)
One test to determine if your cable is a problem is to set the date and time in the unit, then turn it off and back on
while not connected to the computer. If the error occurs, the problem is most likely the lithium battery (see #2
below). If the error does not occur, connect the unit to the computer with your cable then turn it off and back on.
If the error occurs, the cable needs to be replaced. Once the time and date are reset in the count board, it is
okay for further use.
2. The internal lithium battery for the unit fails.
While the count board is turned on, it is powered by four AA batteries. When the unit is turned off, an internal
lithium battery maintains power for the real time clock and the data memory. This lithium battery can last from 3
to 10 years, depending on how often the units are used. (If the units are turned on and used often, the battery
will last longer. If the units are left off for extended periods of time, the battery will not last as long.) If this internal
battery fails, there is no power to retain the clock and data memory when the unit is turned off.
An easy way to test for this problem is to set the time & date in the unit then turn it off for 10-15 seconds. If the
real time clock error occurs when the unit is turned back on, it is an indication that the lithium battery is not
providing power and needs to be replaced. In this case, the unit should be sent to JAMAR for service. If the error
does not occur, there is most likely not a problem with the lithium battery.
3. A static charge or other electrical charge.
Like other electronic devices, JAMAR count boards can be adversely affected by a static electric charge. This
problem becomes more prevalent in the cold, dry months of winter. Before handling the units, always be sure to
properly ground yourself so that there is not a static discharge that can harm the unit.
Resetting the clock
If a real time clock error occurs, the date and time in the unit should be reset before additional data is collected.
To do this, press the TAB key until Utilities is flashing on the main menu then press DO. Next, tab until
Time/Date is flashing then press DO. The TAB key is used to scroll between hour, minute, month, day and year.
The Change keys (14 & 15) are used to adjust the values. Press DO to set the date and time once it has been
entered.
Preventing Data Loss
When a real time clock error occurs, it can cause data stored in the data collector to be lost. To prevent this, all
JAMAR count boards sold after June 1, 2004 were equipped with a new type of memory chip that contains its
own backup battery. This battery will retain the data in memory even if the main power to the count board is
disturbed in one of the ways described above. When using the new style of memory chip, the unit may still
display a real time clock error, but the data will not be lost.
Count boards purchased before June 1, 2004 can be retrofitted with the newer memory chip at a reasonable
cost. This is a cost effective way to prevent potential data loss should a problem be encountered. You can
determine if your count board has already been fitted with the new memory chip by following these instructions...
H05001
Real Time Clock Data Error on a TDC-8, DB-400 or DB-100 - Causes and Preventative Measures
A Real Time Clock error occurs in a data collector if there is an interruption in power or if a surge of power
occurs. When a real time clock error occurs, the date & time stored in the unit reverts to a default setting. Count
data that is stored in the unit may or may not be lost when this occurs.
If you encounter a real time clock error, first check to see if any data has been lost. To do this, select Review
from the main menu. If the review menu reports that no count data is found in memory, then there is no count
data left that can be retrieved. If the review shows counts still stored, they can then be downloaded.
There are three potential causes of a real time clock error:
1. Use of a generic serial cable for the download, instead of a JAMAR download cable.
JAMAR count boards only use three pins of the nine pin connector for the download of data to the computer. If a
generic serial cable (such as a Radio Shack brand) is used, voltage can be picked up on some of the unused
pins. This does not occur with all computers, so a generic cable may be okay with some computers and not
others. Also, current electronic components are more sensitive to this problem than older ones, so you may find
that the generic cable works okay with older count boards but not with newer ones.
The JAMAR download cable only connects the three pins that are used, and blocks the other six, preventing
unwanted voltage. If you are using a generic cable, it should be replaced with a JAMAR cable (part #J-8866),
otherwise you run the risk of data loss. (Note that some older JAMAR download cables had two plugs on the end
that connect to the data collector, a black plug and a beige plug. The BLACK plug should be used for the
download. Use of the beige plug, which was for downloading different equipment, could cause the real time clock
error to occur.)
One test to determine if your cable is a problem is to set the date and time in the unit, then turn it off and back on
while not connected to the computer. If the error occurs, the problem is most likely the lithium battery (see #2
below). If the error does not occur, connect the unit to the computer with your cable then turn it off and back on.
If the error occurs, the cable needs to be replaced. Once the time and date are reset in the count board, it is
okay for further use.
2. The internal lithium battery for the unit fails.
While the count board is turned on, it is powered by four AA batteries. When the unit is turned off, an internal
lithium battery maintains power for the real time clock and the data memory. This lithium battery can last from 3
to 10 years, depending on how often the units are used. (If the units are turned on and used often, the battery
will last longer. If the units are left off for extended periods of time, the battery will not last as long.) If this internal
battery fails, there is no power to retain the clock and data memory when the unit is turned off.
An easy way to test for this problem is to set the time & date in the unit then turn it off for 10-15 seconds. If the
real time clock error occurs when the unit is turned back on, it is an indication that the lithium battery is not
providing power and needs to be replaced. In this case, the unit should be sent to JAMAR for service. If the error
does not occur, there is most likely not a problem with the lithium battery.
3. A static charge or other electrical charge.
Like other electronic devices, JAMAR count boards can be adversely affected by a static electric charge. This
problem becomes more prevalent in the cold, dry months of winter. Before handling the units, always be sure to
properly ground yourself so that there is not a static discharge that can harm the unit.
Resetting the clock
If a real time clock error occurs, the date and time in the unit should be reset before additional data is collected.
To do this, press the TAB key until Utilities is flashing on the main menu then press DO. Next, tab until
Time/Date is flashing then press DO. The TAB key is used to scroll between hour, minute, month, day and year.
The Change keys (14 & 15) are used to adjust the values. Press DO to set the date and time once it has been
entered.
Preventing Data Loss
When a real time clock error occurs, it can cause data stored in the data collector to be lost. To prevent this, all
JAMAR count boards sold after June 1, 2004 were equipped with a new type of memory chip that contains its
own backup battery. This battery will retain the data in memory even if the main power to the count board is
disturbed in one of the ways described above. When using the new style of memory chip, the unit may still
display a real time clock error, but the data will not be lost.
Count boards purchased before June 1, 2004 can be retrofitted with the newer memory chip at a reasonable
cost. This is a cost effective way to prevent potential data loss should a problem be encountered. You can
determine if your count board has already been fitted with the new memory chip by following these instructions...