In the mid 1970's, the profession of Land Surveying took
a major change in direction with the introduction of the digital
electronic transit. This new instrument eliminated the need
to visually align registration marks and keep track of many
attributes of angular measurements. Then in the early 1980's,
this technology took its next step by offering direct two-way
connection to small computerized data collectors which removed
any need for pencil and paper making all recorded data more
reliable and allowing a day's work to be downloaded directly
to an office computer when returning to home base.
Although
increasing production tenfold and removing many areas of potential
errors, this new technology still had drawbacks. Namely a battery
issue based on complete dependence on expensive battery packs
which recharged slowly, had a short life and were not readily
available. Although most manufactures of Land Survey instruments
offered a variety of remote (emergency) battery packs, when
needed, these batteries plugged into the same data port as the
field data collector. Since Land Surveyors had become dependent
on the computer connection for dependable operation, unplugging
the computer in order to attach a battery was an unacceptable
alternative, but one which we had to lived with.
In
the early 1990's, my frustration over having a survey job almost
completed when my battery "died" forced me to build
my first battery adaptor. When the "on-board" batteries
run out of power, the data collector could be unplugged, and
the tiny DaySaver adaptor inserted. The DaySaver adaptor would
accept both the computer cable and an inexpensive alkaline battery
pack. This adaptor is now part of my tool kit so that, when
needed, the survey can be easily finish even after my primary
batteries have given up.
Over the next few years, the adaptors and the battery packs
had been improved and word spread throughout the surveying
community.
Since that time we have built and sold over 300 DaySaver adaptors
to other Land Surveyors. We now also offer other helpful items
which includes special cabling for powering GPS
equipment.
Although
the tiny DaySaver adaptor was the item which started this business,
use of the dry cell battery has truly changed the reliability of the
system. Because of the dry cell battery's appetite for abuse, more and
more Land Surveyors found themselves leaving their onboard batteries
home all together in favor of taking along only the DaySaver
dry cell battery. Gone were the thoughts of ensuring the battery was
fully dead before recharging, the feeling of dismay learning
the batteries had been left on the charger all weekend, or realizing
that eighty shots on a full charge was forcing an expensive
battery re-cell or replacement.
Land Surveyors using instruments ranging from SET-2s and T1000s
all the way to TDA5005s and Elna 10's wouldn't leave the office
without the DaySaver adaptor and dry cell battery. Level crews carved
a place in the foam for the DaySaver adaptor. Front seat check
sheets have the DaySaver prominently listed. Precision alignment
surveyors keep DaySavers in their tool boxes.
Now, with more and more instruments containing on-board software,
that need for reliable power is even more critical. As most
of these instruments contain servos, power consumption is multiplied,
as is the stress of leaving the office considering the odds
of finishing the job with the current inventory of batteries.
The DaySaver battery, although it doesn't like extreme cold
(-30°c), will function properly in most temperature ranges.
Packed in its rip-stop padded case, the shoulder strap allows
it to be slung over one's arm for that trek into the wilderness
for a full days work. Is your on-board battery still good? Leave
the DaySaver dry cell battery under the seat for that terrible day when
it truly turns out to be your day saver also.
Please feel free to contact
us with any questions that you may have about our products.
We have solutions or most all of the popular survey instruments.
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