FLIR TG 297 Frozen on logo screen - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: thermionic_emission
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 03:25:24 pm
content: HelloI have a used FLIR TG297 with an issue.When i bought it a few months ago, initially it wasnt charging. I opened it up and charged the li-ion (3.6v) battery off my bench, put it back, and then it powred on. But there was a new issue, it would only boot up to the FLIR logo screen. I then tried powering the device off the bench again, but still got to the same point and got stuck. I tried this a few times including the up-down switch hold routine which I saw somewhere online. In desperation I recall pressing random sequences of buttons and lo and behold, it booted up! I was able to use it fully. I reassembled it, used it for a few days, and then put it away.A couple months later, I take it out, and its fully run down. I try the same trick of charging the battery again and powering off the bench, but I am stuck at the same old point, with the FLIR logo and no progress beyond.1. It draws about 250mA at 3.7V and then goes up to c 360mA in after a few seconds2. Power button is responsive, to switch on and power off3. up/dn when held together causes the device to reboot4. the laser button (left) causes the red led to light up5. If left alone at the FLIR logo, device switches off after a few min6. If the battery is partially charged, it does charge up off USB-C, with the charging icon slowly updating7. But it still doesnt power upI am at my wits end as I thought this was fixed, but eveindently we are back to square one.Does anyone know what random sequence may have switched it on, and of any other ideas at all. The device was not molested in any way after the initial fix when it sat in a drawer and evidently discharged.thanks!

author: thermionic_emission
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 03:35:28 pm
content: additionally, if i connect the device to my windows pc with a usb c cable when in its 'stuck' state, I can access the DCIM folder which has another folder 1000FLIR, and i can read and write to the folder (which has no files apart from a test file i copied to it.any help would be highly appreciated !

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 04:08:46 pm
content: Open the camera, find the Serial UART port and monitor the serial data that is produced at boot. That should indicate where the boot sequence is failing and the responsible sub system causing the issue. The only thing random pressing of buttons can do is accidentally “cold boot” the camera or glitch the system into ignoring the error that it detected at boot. Not a fix so it is best to investigate the cause of the boot issue. The camera is clearly completing the “housekeeping” part of the boot as it responded to button presses (processor not in HALT or crashed) so it is likely a subsystem failing to respond to a processor initiated query.Fraser

author: thermionic_emission
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 09:04:50 am
content: Thank you very much for your reply. Are there any pointers to more details on how i can go about this? I dont have a serial port on my pc just usb.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 12:02:08 pm
content: Just go on eBay and search for “USB to UART”. Select one that supports 3.3V communications. Many have a link to select 5V or 3.3V communications. Cost is around £5.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 01:57:39 pm
content: If you are not confident in opening your camera, accessing the UART port and interpreting the boot log, it is best to leave your camera repair to someone who is used to working on embedded computer systems such as found in these thermal cameras. It is not something I would recommend for anyone new to electronics repair.Fraser

author: thermionic_emission
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 05:12:30 pm
content: Thanks for your reply.I am comfortable opening up electronics and have some engineering background to give it a non destructive try .I had ofcourse disassembled it to do the battery related efforts.However, I dont see a serial port like what I see in this videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcuPbNl0wjg] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcuPbNl0wjgI see an unpopulated section which says JTAG, i presume i need to populate this with some connector?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 05:38:59 pm
content: I cannot help with the location of the Serial UART port as I do not work on TG297 units. The JTAG port is NOT usually anything to do with the Serial UART I/O. Maybe another forum member can advise of its location and pinout ?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 06:26:37 pm
content: Have you tried removing and re-fitting the Lepton thermal imaging core (U30) ? The core contacts can sometimes become intermittent in the socket and need re-seating to restore the connection. A non responsive Lepton could cause the camera to throw its toys out of the pram. It is also worth re-seating any other ribbon cables within the camera, especially any between the imaging core PCB and main PCB.Fraser

author: thermionic_emission
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 07:51:33 pm
content: Yes there are two ribbon cables, I have cleaned and reseated both of them.