Bridgeport Seris II with BOSS 8 control

[Billy Bird]

I have a Bridgeport Series II with a BOSS 8 control on it. The machine is 24 years old and still works fine. I bought it 5 years ago. I'm worried about the battery that preserves the memory which I have never replaced. I'm told this battery should be replaced every two years.

Questions:

1. Where can I buy the battery

2. If I take the old one out how can I save the information (parameters) that is stored inside.

3. What is the replacement procedure so it won't go "brain dead?"

4. If it goes brain dead where can I get the "parameters?"

5. I'm a new (76 year old) kid on the block with CNC and not a tech-no- heavy so be kind.

Thanks,

Billy Bird

[machintek]

The Boss 8 had two lithium batteries. One on the FMDC that backed up the FIST event log and one on the EMC mother board that backs up the programs and the tool table. The parameters and machine software are burned onto proms on the boards. They will not be lost. The newer EMC boards had a battery holder. Most had the battery soldered on. Same for the FMDC. These are multi layered boards which can be damaged easily by heat. Thus I recommend a temperature controlled soldering iron. I do not think a direct replacement for this battery is available. You may have to use pigtails and remote mount a lithium battery for each board.

George

[Billy Bird]

Hello George,
Thanks very much for the information on Brdgpt BOSS 8 batteries. Also the knowlege that the parameters are secure apart from a battery. I think I found one of the batteries soldered on a board behind the front control panel up on the spindle. Is that also the area where I would find the other battery? What is the voltage of these batteries as well as battery type and size. Thanks again George.

Bill Volna aka. Billy Bird

[Newby2]

I found 3V lithium batteries at Radio Shak. They are camera batteries. Be sure to take note of the polarity as the poles are opposite of the batteries that were originally installed.
Steve

[machintek]

The FMDC is mounted on the back side of a white door on the bottom right corner of the electrical cabinet.
Yes the EMC battery is behind the operator panel on the head. Be careful not to pinch any ribbon cables.

George

[Billy Bird]

Thanks for the reply Steve. I'll check Radio Schack on that lithium battery.

Bill Volna

PS I hope you get this. I'm not up on how to do a reply

[Billy Bird]

OK George, I'll take a look and see if I can find those batteries. Thanks for the directions.

I bought that Series II BrdgtPt five years ago after turning the cranks for 50 years. Now I use BobCad and drink coffee while I watch the chips fly. I love that machine so much I bought a second one for $700. After removing a garbadge can of stainless chips from it, re-scraping the X,Y cross slide saddle I then took a wire cutter and gutted the control boxes and put in an Ajax/Centroid control. Lots of trouble with "bugs" (my fault) I finally have it working. I have both of these 5500 pound machines on wheels so I can pull them away from the wall and easily get into the control cabinets. If any interest I would be happy to share info and pictures of the wheel system.
Thanks again,

Bill Volna

[cut more]

Bill,
I Have a Series2 R2e3,
I would like some pictures of your Mills & info on the wheels.
I just sold my "spare" R2e3 for $1000.

Cutmore

[Billy Bird]

I'll see if I have some pictures of the wheels and share them.

[Billy Bird]

I'll see if I have some pictures of the wheels and share them.

Billy Bird

[Billy Bird]

Hello Cutmore,

I found a couple of shots of my wheel system that I have installed on both of my Series II Brdgt mills. This has been very successful. I can push them around and "skid steer" with a crow bar. My shop is small and I must put the mills against the wall. For maintenance access to rear I just sweep the floor and pull um out. The system is "under slung" with 1/2 inch clearance to concrete floor but the wheels are a handsome 4" dia. Big wheels makes for an easy pull-like moving a grand piano.

Now lets see if I can attach these photos.

Billy Bird

[cut more]

Billy,
I look forward to seeing those pictures Thanks.
Here is a picture of Mine & the tooling I got in my small shop.I got my 2 series 2's and tooling for free.
Cutmore