ST100 Repair & Maintenance

For ST100 troubleshooting, please refer to this document: ST100 Troubleshooting.

Altrac Repair & Maintenance

Altrac designs equipment to be user serviceable and user replaceable. We think user involvement in the hardware repair and maintenance process provides many benefits:

• Increased Reliability and Robustness -- If a user can fix the equipment, they do not need to wait on Altrac or our partners to return to operation
• Decreased Cost -- If a user services their own equipment, Altrac can afford to make cost reductions by not hiring service technicians
• Better Awareness of Features and Limitations -- Users understand the features because they've installed and tested the equipment

Following the ST100 Troubleshooting document along with contacting [e-mail] should resolve most users issues. Our general process for repair and replace on devices is:

1. Assess issue
2. Repair wiring harness
   1. Replace if required
3. Repair ST100 (primarily replacing the modem)
4. Replace ST100
5. Return Damage Equipment

Repair

ST100 Device

Modem

The primary user serviceable part inside the ST100 is the ST100's cellular modem. The modem is a Particle Electron and can be either a 3G or LTE model. Service of this part may be required for:

• Upgrade from 3G to LTE service for future network shutdowns
• Damage to the modem from weather
• Damage to the modem from electrical issues

Replacement of this part is not difficult, but the modem is easy to damage when it is placed back on its headers. It is very important to do the following when replacing a modem:

• Remove power from device by disconnecting wiring harness and removing LiPo
• Put the modem on the headers in the correct orientation and place.

The modem is the raised rectangular part on the PCB roughly 0.75" by 2". 

Removing the Modem:

To detach the antenna, see Modem Antenna

Use one hand to grab the modem at the top and bottom to pull directly towards you (away from the board).

The modem should now be free of the device and in your hand. Depending on the next action, store the modem in a dry padded place for safekeeping.

Inserting the Modem:

Before taking these next steps be sure to remove power from device by disconnecting wiring harness and removing LiPo

Grab the new modem on top and bottom as shown above. The micro USB port should be pointing towards the Control Line entry point.

Line the modem up using the pins as shown below. Partially seat the pins and take your hand away. There should be no overhanging pins on either side of the modem

If any pins hang over, the modem is not seated correctly

If there are no overhanging pins, replace your fingers at top and bottom and push modem in until fully seated

To reattach the antenna, see Modem Antenna

Modem Antenna

Removing and replacing the modem antenna can be done in the case that you are replacing the modem or in the case you are adding an external antenna to your device.

Removing:

Remove the u.FL antenna connector by gently pulling directly towards you on the connector.

Inserting:

The u.FL connector is near the top of the enclosure

Place the u.FL antenna cable lightly on top of the connector

Place the center of your finger directly on top of the cable

Press firmly directly down. If the connector attaches properly, you will feel a "satisfying click" as the connector's datasheet puts it. Also, if done properly you will be able to rotate the antenna cable back and forth a small amount (1/4") without the connector coming undone.

LiPo Battery

The LiPo battery is attached to the sidewall of the ST100 enclosure. It is silver/gold in color and has short leads with a white plug on the end. 

To plug in the battery, locate the white battery plug and fit into the Battery Receptacle on the PCB. The connector has a lock and key, so it can only fit in one direction. NOTE: The modem also has a similar receptacle, but you should not plug the battery into this port.

To remove the battery, you will need to pry it from the side. The LiPo battery is stuck to the side of the enclosure with VHB tape, and so can be difficult to remove without damaging it. If you have to remove the battery it is best practice to replace it with a new battery. Even a small puncture will cause the battery to short, swell up and could damage the ST100. 

If LiPo battery service is required, please contact [e-mail].

Wiring

See Control Line Device Side for more information.

ST100 Control Line

The ST100 Control Line runs from the ST100 device to the machine the Altrac device is attached to.

Device Side

The Control Line enters the enclosure through a cable gland and then is soldered to the Altrac device.

If the cable gland is loose, it can be tightened by hand.

If the Control Line's solder joints are loose or damaged, Altrac does not recommend repairing. If repair is required, contact [e-mail] for wiring diagrams and recommended tooling.

Connector Side

The Altrac ST100 Control Line uses a 12-pin Deutsch Automotive connector, part number (AT06-12S) which connects to the mating connector on the wiring harness (AT04-12P). The connectors can be dissembled using the proper Deutsch tooling, including the removal tool DT-RT1.

The pinout of the connector:

The Altrac ST100 Control Line also uses a 2-pin Furukawa connector (RFW-2S) for connecting to the Altrac Temperature Probe. This connector is not intended to be user serviceable. If support or repair is needed for this connector, please contact [e-mail]. 

Engine Wiring Harness

Device Side

The Engine Wiring Harness connects to the Control Line as noted in the previous section. Please refer to ST100 Control Line Connector Side for more information.

Engine Side

Each engine harness is different depending on the Wind Machine you are servicing. Please refer to Installation Instructions for more information.

Replace

Replacing the ST100 and/or Engine Wiring Harness is application specific.

• Refer to your specific Installation Instructions for more information
• Contact [e-mail] for replacement parts

Return

Altrac wants its damage equipment returned, whether for warranty reasons or for user damage. We use the returned equipment to better design our devices for their operating environment. Once returned to Altrac, the equipment will be properly recycled.

You can return damaged Altrac equipment to:

Altrac
20885 Redwood Rd, PMB 218
Castro Valley, CA  94546

If you contact [e-mail] we will refund your shipping fees.