modem board, power switch, power connector on cf-28

Ok I got curious yesterday after getting the GPS engine to talk and pulled out the modem board. I noticed that after I removed the bump from that side that there's a 4-pin connector on the little PCB behind the bump with two wires going to the modem board (phone line connection I guess) and two going back into the main system somewhere (+5 v power maybe?).

Interestingly, the bump has pre-made cutouts for a second RJ11/RJ45 style connection (which I will probably end up using as I'm getting a wifi kit and a combo ethernet board which will use up both of the compact PCI slots), but also there's a third cutout for a smaller connector. I couldn't workout what that's for, but it might be perfect for the wi-fi connector to go into.

Second thing is the power switch. On my 28, there's a black circular black section and a silver ring section inside the main outer piece of the power switch assembly. I believe the black inner part is made so it can be replaced with an antenna of some sort (though not sure what). Is that correct? Also where is the irda port? Seems like a little plastic light filter cover right next to the power socket on the right hand side.

Speaking of power sockets, my Opentec Openfire RPC-III system has a proper 3-pin military DC power connector at the back, but I have not seen anything but the flimsy and fairly poor 'consumer' style clip-in power connector on all the CF28's I have seen good pics of in ebay listings, etc. Do any of the toughbooks have rugged power connectors? Maybe the CF29 or 30 has something better?

Craig.

 

Craig,
Most CF-28s had both modem and nic sockets there, hence two cutouts. The infrared port is indeed next to the power socket. The CF-29-30 power plugs are a little better, they have a taper behind the metal which provides some reinforcement. The black center on the power switch replaces the lock cylinder which the MKI 28s had. It was really rather pointless.
CAP

 

In regards to the power connecter

The toughbooks that have deeper,protected dc jacks ,are less prone to problems

Most of the fully rugged are OK
Panasonic changed the plug configuration a few years ago ,and starting with the cf-29 model they use a different connector

The toughbook model that has the most problems is the cf-72
I have had 5 cf-72's that I have had to replace the dc jacks on, sometimes the jack comes loose from the pcb,and other times the center plastic cracks and causes and intermitent connection


Alex

 

I'm assuming that means later models, and not the CF28.

Has anyone retrofitted a different type of power connection? Something like the 3-pin military style that I mentioned that my Opentec rugged system has perhaps? I think it's a relatively standard connector arrangement so would probably be workable into a CF28.

I haven't disassembled that section of my CF28 yet but I would like to see what can be done as the power connector is, IMHO, completely unsuitable for what is meant to be a ruggedised mil-spec certified design. sigh. ;-)

Craig.