[stormy]

Hi guys,

I've been in touch with Glitch who can produce Dallas DS1687-5 RTC replacements for the SGI Octane & O2 as they both use the same RTC. They are a custom pcb with a replacement coin cell lithium battery that fits in to the Dallas socket on the main board. Here is an example from the website: http://www.glitchwrks.com/2018/03/17/gw-1244-1

I am gathering data on how many people would like to order, I am not sure on the price yet but will update the thread when I have this information.

Please copy/paste the list as you respond going forward:
(so it is easier for me to compile later)

For reference later, I found some great instructions for what to do after replacing the Dallas:
https://bukosek.si/hardware/collection/sgi-o2.html

stormy x2 units

[Knezzen]

I’m interested in one (1)

I wonder if he does replacements that are compatible with the Fuel.

[stormy]

I’m interested in one (1)

I wonder if he does replacements that are compatible with the Fuel.

Do you know what type of RTC the fuel uses? I can't seem to find any info

[jwcotejr]

Do you know what type of RTC the fuel uses? I can't seem to find any info

Dallas DS1742W

[Raion]

https://www.digipart.com/part/DS1742W-120

For the fuel

[weblacky]

Sorry if this seems dumb, but why would someone bother making a replacement RTC chip for the O2 when a compatible chip is still made for the O2? In the second link given on the original post, the author discusses this and advise purchasing a DS1687-5IND+ , https://www.digikey.com/short/p9nj5v

This chip is $15 from digikey and is still in supply, while I can appreciate wanting a chip that you can replace the battery on now, you can always drill the chip later.

Why not focus on chips that have no replacement and are no longer produced? Focus the effort where it's needed...


-Josh

[chulofiasco]

Sorry if this seems dumb, but why would someone bother making a replacement RTC chip for the O2 when a compatible chip is still made for the O2? In the second link given on the original post, the author discusses this and advise purchasing a DS1687-5IND+ , https://www.digikey.com/short/p9nj5v

This chip is $15 from digikey and is still in supply, while I can appreciate wanting a chip that you can replace the battery on now, you can always drill the chip later.

Why not focus on chips that have no replacement and are no longer produced? Focus the effort where it's needed...


-Josh

Josh, check out this module he put together for my Indigo2. His work is super clean. I agree, you can just drill out the existing module and tweak it with a coin cell, but check these photos out -- when this is installed in my I2, it's going to look super. Additionally, with the lower profile, should the module need to be removed, you don't need to pull out the entire riser assembly. (In an Indigo2)

Stormy, might be in need of a module for an O2 -- waiting for her to land !

[weblacky]

How much did this unit cost you? I agree if it's reasonable, then I'd be interested.

Also, just to reply to the Indigo2 comment, you don't need to remove the backplane to get the chip in/out (though I'd see how it would look that way). I tested 5 chips in two indigo2s (because things weren't working) and I found I could EXACTLY pop the chip in and out if I just removed the rear screw securing the GPIO64 backplane to the back of the case, then used my left hand (thumb and forefinger) to push the backplane up like 1/2mm. The RTC chip then fully comes out, glad I figured this out too, I had a lot of chips to test recently. Did this on a Solid IMPACT version as well, it's tight, but you don't need to remove the backplane. I would say that if I had a nice milling setup, I'd shave off the bottom of that riser and re-plate to allow easier access to the RTC.


Please update us on ballpark pricing, I'd be willing to purchase a few if the price is low enough. Right now I'm on possession of three I2s, one Indy, two O2s, and three Octanes that I could get rtc replacements for. I think Tezros just have the SNAPHAT battery, so those previously listed should be the stations I'd need coverage on.

-Josh

[stormy]

In response to Josh's comments on him not understanding the value in them: Because when all your RTCs finally die, and the supply of replacements are gone, you won't want to go through the hassle of manually modding/drilling out the old ones. Then you'll think, damn I wish I bought those lithium coin cell versions when I had the chance, shame nobody cares enough to make them anymore ;(

[weblacky]

I don't think that tone was warranted, as the very post you replied to was me agreeing they have value and requesting pricing.

What I asked was, why work on replacing RTC versions that are still produced, when there are RTCs that are out of production right now, for which there are no replacements for several SGIs.

Focus the effort on what's needed right now, not what's plentiful.

And of course, the RTC chips don't die, every RTC chip can be modded. We should count our lucky stars that's the case! If the chips truly were unrecoverable, it would drive a much more urgent and dire need.