Dittel radio servicing

David Sherrill

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Nov 18, 2017, 7:38:42 PM11/18/17

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Any recommendations for getting a Dittel FSG 71M serviced? Mine has a sticker on the side that reads "Replace Memory Battery 2005". The radio is working perfectly, but I want to get that battery out before it starts leaking.

I have found owners manuals and schematics on the web, but nothing about repair services.

Thanks,
...david

Ross

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Nov 19, 2017, 2:01:40 AM11/19/17

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2 choices
Anton Lang Flugfunk Services in Germany. He us the authorized service center for them and it will come back like new
Or, do it yourself. It is simple soldering. Remove the top part of the case and you have access to the battery. It is a 1/2aa 3,6v Lithium battery. Cut and bend the ends to suit and solder it in.

Good luck either way

mdfa...@gmail.com

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Nov 19, 2017, 10:10:53 AM11/19/17

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If your are in the U.S You may also try Peninsula Avionics:

14229 SW 127 Street
Miami, FL 33186
305-238-6550

I'm pretty that's who worked on my radio a few years ago. But be ready for sticker shock. My Dittel wouldn't turn on. I sent it out and was told it was the internal battery, which didn't make much sense to me. But what do I know. Well over $300 later it had a new battery, bench tested and checked out and still didn't work. It turned out to be a loose wire on the fuse holder.

Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)

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Nov 19, 2017, 7:08:09 PM11/19/17

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How about which continent are you located? What works for me may sorta suck for you, shipping could be more than the repair.
Otherwise, you may be able to do it yourself if you are a DIY person with some guidance.

JS

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Nov 19, 2017, 8:19:47 PM11/19/17

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It was over a decade ago, but believe I changed a FSG71M backup battery myself. Open it up and have a look. The memory freqs will be lost if you do it with no power to the radio, but that's better than causing other problems when there is power.
Perhaps the battery might not be easily found.
Otherwise a "new to you" FSG71M isn't an expensive item. Currently two on Segelflug.de at 100 and 110 Euros plus shipping. There may be adapters available to plug and play a newer radio too.
Jim

rec.aviation.soaring

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Nov 20, 2017, 5:08:19 AM11/20/17

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On Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 7:38:42 PM UTC-5, David Sherrill wrote:
> Any recommendations for getting a Dittel FSG 71M serviced?

I changed the battery in mine and also replaced the LCD screen about 12 years ago. While the radio is very compact I think components were large enough that you could work on it without a microscope. It stayed in the glider when I sold it in 2009. The LCD screen was very easily damaged by heat and pressure (clean it very gently). Another minor flaw was that the radio would go crazy if I forgot to turn my cellphone off while flying.

David Sherrill

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Feb 9, 2018, 12:35:02 PM2/9/18

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Thank you. Your post provided the encouragement needed for self-repair. Ordered the battery from Digikey sometime back and finally installed it last weekend. Easy job. Good result.

Thanks,
...david

AS

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Feb 27, 2018, 7:59:16 AM2/27/18

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On Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 2:01:40 AM UTC-5, Ross wrote:

Hi Ross,

could you please describe what that battery looks like? I opened up the both covers and there is nothing there I would readily identify as a battery. If I sent you a photo, could you point it out to me or could you send me a Digikey link that battery?
Thanks,

Uli
'AS'

Ross

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Feb 27, 2018, 8:31:24 AM2/27/18

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Uli,

You are looking for a 3,6v Litium battery.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Saft-LS-14500-cna-Lithium-Thionylchlorid-Batterie-3-6V-AA-Axial-2600mAh/152217018831?hash=item2370d761cf:g:FVcAAOSwzb9ZpXm4

Remove the top cover and you will see it at the back, both ends bent down and soldered to the board, and the sides bonded with silicon

AS

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Feb 27, 2018, 1:25:31 PM2/27/18

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Perfect - thanks, Ross! I saw that component but being more of a 'Nuts & Bolts' guy, thought this is a big resistor or capacitor. :-)

Uli
'AS'

David Sherrill

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Feb 27, 2018, 11:21:13 PM2/27/18

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https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/667-TL5902-PBP

http://www.tadiranbat.com/

You want a 1/2 AA battery. Lithium thionyl chloride batteries last for decades in this application (extremely low power draw for memory backup).

I shopped at Digikey, but forgot that I ended up ordering from Mouser. They have several to choose from. I paid a couple bucks more for the higher temperature rating, just in case my soldering took longer than recommended.

...david

AS

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Feb 27, 2018, 11:48:35 PM2/27/18

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Thanks, David! After Ross' description, I found the battery and measured its voltage. It still reads 3.6V. The radio just arrived from Belgium, so it hasn't been in the glider, yet. If it doesn't hold the memory, I know what to do now. :-)
Uli
'AS'

dvmar...@gmail.com

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Feb 28, 2018, 10:35:20 AM2/28/18

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I've also got a 71M but with a slightly different problem. The LCD display is getting bad. Readable but only just. Any suggestions on where to obtain the part or someone that can install new LCD. I've tried Peninsula Avionics and they were not able to help. I've also tried to contact flugfunk-lang.de and have had no response.

David Martin
BV

Roy B.

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Feb 28, 2018, 11:15:32 AM2/28/18

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Uli:
I am still using one with the original battery and a sticker on the side that says "replace battery in 2005". So, I would not worry too much about it.

David:
It might not be worth the cost & nuisance of the repair when you can buy these used so cheaply and just install a replacement. I just bought one for $280 USD (which included shipping) and there are several on www.segelflug.de at prices between 80 and 100 Euros. They can't be used in Europe anymore so there are many available.

ROY

dvmar...@gmail.com

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Feb 28, 2018, 12:22:07 PM2/28/18

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The 71M that I have is one of the ones from Europe going surplus becuase of their changed regulations. I got it as a back up but would like to have it fully functional if needed.

David
BV

AS

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Feb 28, 2018, 6:30:42 PM2/28/18

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That's exactly how/why I got it. Mine came out of Belgium - paid 110Euros for it. :-)
The sticker says to change the battery in 2002 but it still seems to be ok.
Uli

rudolph stutzmann

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Feb 25, 2019, 10:34:33 AM2/25/19

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Thought I'd check and see how changing the battery yourself worked out? I'm in the same situation with my FSG 71M, it won't retain any saved channels so I'm thinking the internal battery needs to be swapped out. It looks like some people swapped out themselves using this battery:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/667-TL5902-PBP
If I didn't do this myself it sounds like there's limited/costly options to have this done at a repair shop (radio is in the US) and it maybe easier/less expensive to get a used unit?
How difficult is it to swap out the old battery for a new one? Is the battery in this link still the correct one (that link is from last years post).
Thank you
RJ

Ross

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Feb 26, 2019, 2:59:39 PM2/26/19

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If you have held a soldering iron before then you are probably capable of changing it yourself
Remove the top casing
De solder the old battery
It probably has been glued(silicone) along the sides so you will need to cut that away
Bend the ends of the new battery to fit
Re solder the new one
Silicone as required

And yes, the battery in the link is correct

Retting

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Feb 26, 2019, 4:23:03 PM2/26/19

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Great job guys....excellent team work.....I shall save this for my Dittel radio.
R