FLIR ThermCAM B2 Repair - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: ahend
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 21, 2013, 05:41:13 pm
content: Greetings,I am working on a FLIR ThermaCAM B2 that refuses to boot. In the process of getting to know the component boards, I came across a couple PCB interconnects that were unpopulated. These could be for diagnostic purposes, or optional hardware, but I have no way of knowing other than a comparision with the same model. My B2 has been opened before and someone has been working on it. I would like to be sure I have everything before going much further.Does anyone have access to a ThermaCAM B2, and would be willing to pop open the case to help me figure out if I am missing some hardware? There is nothing out there, in terms of service manuals or schematics. Any help in this would be greatly appreciated.Thank You

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2014, 02:12:03 pm
content: Sadly no response to your question indicates that either no one owns such a unit, or those that do are understandably hesitant about dismantling an expensive product.Unused connectors inside thermal cameras are not unusual. Such connectors are usually for optional modules such as Bluetooth so it is worth looking for models higher in the same series to see what they have and yours does not. Such 'unused' sockets are often used during the manufacturing and calibration process.In your position, I would look at the power supply circuits first to establish whether all supplies are present and correct. No power rails = no boot. If all power rails are present and correct on the chipset, move onto how the power button acts on the system. Most likely a soft button requiring that the micro is in a sleep mode. Check the input to the micro to ensure the power button is actually working. Also monitor current consumption when off and when power button pressed.In my experience on FLIR PM series cameras, the firmware carries out a self test of all elements of the system, just like a PC. If there is no life at all on the micro then self test will not be running and cannot be halting the boot. If you have a functioning micro connected to functioning RAM and ROM, you shoudl see activity on the memory bus. If you have a major fault it may try to boot and then haly but there should have been signs of life on the busses before the halt. No activity at all on any address or data lines points to power supply issues or the reset circuit failing. Dare I suggest that you place anAMradio receiver (set to LW or MW) close to the PCB and try to switch the camera on........ Its crude but I am an RF tech, so use this method as a quick and dirty way to hear activity within an embedded computer system.....they usually make all manner of RF noises when running ! Don't forget to check whether the master oscillator and any subordinate clocks are running. No clock, no activity.It is worth knowing the history of such a unit as well. Did it just stop working whilst in use ? Did it stop working after a firmware ugrade or hack attempt ? Did it show any signs of failure before complete failure to boot ? Noise on screen from failing power supply etc. Was it dropped ? (that is not uncommon) Look for impact damage on the case. Like Sherlock Holmes, it sometimes pays to consider all evidence before deciding upon a strategy with which to move forwards.Map out what is, and what is not, showing signs of life in the camera. It may lead you to a conclusion on the likely cause. I have even had equipment fail to boot due to a damaged battery conector or power socket. Nice simple faults like that are a joy, if less of a challenge.See how you get on and come back to this thread with your findings.P.S. I use a thermal camera to look at such PCB's for signs of life on what appears a dead board....it can reeal all manner of nasties, like shorts, knackerd capacitors etc. In your case a 'chicken and egg situation unlss you can borrow another thermal camera ?

author: ahend
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 01:21:29 am
content: Thanks so much for the reply.I am proceeding to look at the power circuits on this unit. So far I have found a pic16F micro that seems to be controlling the boot process for the main processor. This pic has proper voltage and clock signals. When a battery or DC power is connected, the green power LED comes on immediately, like the power button circuit is shorted to ground. After watching the logic at the pic input for the power button, I can say that it is not shorted. If I hold the power button for several seconds, the green power LED goes out, indicating that the pic micro may still be running a program. That is hopeful.The board pictured is at least three layers, possibly many more, so it is difficult to trace. For now I will focus on the pic micro and make sure there is nothing funny going on with the reset and wake interrupt functions. Perhaps the re-application of power is triggering a brownout event in the pic micro?Your suggestion of using such a camera for electronics troubleshooting is exactly what I have in mind for this unit.

author: StuWatson
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 18, 2020, 09:06:04 pm
content: Mine has the same problem, shame the resolution was never posted.

author: mlefe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2021, 03:58:29 am
content: Hi StuWatson, mine has the same behaviour (it's an EX320, but inside looks a lot like that B2).The green led indicates that it's powering up, and it fails for some reason. Keeping the power button pressed for 10 secs completely turn it off.In my case, I have an idea of what failed --> I made a very dumb mistake while trying to change the li-ion batteries inside a failed extra battery and I believe I've blown the SDA line that they have (as the failed battery connected it to +8V)In any case, I'm going to open it and try to diagnose what might be wrong, but given that it's the I2C bus, there could be a myriad of chips blown because of it...

author: aqibi2000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2021, 11:53:44 am
content: There are several voltage rails0.8 1.2 etc you need to check all (my only experience is with the low end FLIRs)