Does anyone know what this is?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Jongould said:
That looks like a telemetry recorder, possibly it was either an experimental vehicle used to monitor G loadings, a tracker/GPS with telemetry or I could be talking ****e...
Click to expand...
I think that sounds the most likely, some kind of experimental vehicle is probably correct, it looks a bit elaborate and excessive for anything else. The lack of marking could be a sign also that its MOD.
It also had an elaborate alarm system fitted with sensors all over the place, but that wasn't tied into this unit.
 
BIG_GINGA_BEARD said:
Have you googled the number on the chip?

The big chip to the left of the battery? see if that throws anything up ;)

I suspect a very early tracker, as there is no input or output for a signal.
Click to expand...

+1
-if you read off the numbers + letters and post them here - one of us 'Techie' types will be able to give you an idea?
 
BIG_GINGA_BEARD said:
Have you googled the number on the chip?

The big chip to the left of the battery? see if that throws anything up ;)

I suspect a very early tracker, as there is no input or output for a signal.
Click to expand...
Yes I did google the chips inside, the big one is a general purpose multi application microprosessor, the other are a-d converters and generic logic devices.
Some kind of tracker was my first thought, but its hard to say if the little boxes are receiving data from the vehicle - or sending it out, one possibility is that the chip with the label (which is an eprom PGM 12.5V) was storing data from the sensors, but then - as you say - there is no output from it! This would mean removing the chip to get the data, and this was buried well under the carpet AND the thick rubber matting in the rear load space, which had a recess cut into it for this device!
 
slartybartfast said:
I think that sounds the most likely, some kind of experimental vehicle is probably correct, it looks a bit elaborate and excessive for anything else. The lack of marking could be a sign also that its MOD.
It also had an elaborate alarm system fitted with sensors all over the place, but that wasn't tied into this unit.
Click to expand...

The MOD marks everything so doubtful. Have you tried to power it up to see what it does?
 
Mugsey said:
+1
-if you read off the numbers + letters and post them here - one of us 'Techie' types will be able to give you an idea?
Click to expand...
Thank you, I really appreciate the help and suggestions from everyone (even the flux capacitor - ahh if only ...)

The numbers are:
MC146805E2CP
PGM-12.5v (B9230)
MP7628AD
AD0809CCN
MP7628AD
PC74HCT138P
PC74HCT00P
PC74HCT373P
PC74HCT32P
CD74HCT02E
4116R-001

appreciate any help, thanks.
 
Last edited:
the_wolf said:
The MOD marks everything so doubtful. Have you tried to power it up to see what it does?
Click to expand...

That's what I thought, either a broad arrow or an nsn. ;)

OP, are there any markings inside the case or date marks cast in?
Also, are the sensors magnetic or tick or click if you move 'em (tilt switch?)
Are there any extra holes or brackets that you've noticed?
 
the_wolf said:
The MOD marks everything so doubtful. Have you tried to power it up to see what it does?
Click to expand...
It was powered up when I discovered it, although nothing appeared to be happening. I also noted that the power connector is 7 pin din type socket, with 8 connections ( including earth). Its possible that some kind serial input or output was taking place through these other wires to a piece of equipment that is no longer in the vehicle?
 
bushwwacker said:
That's what I thought, either a broad arrow or an nsn. ;)

OP, are there any markings inside the case or date marks cast in?
Also, are the sensors magnetic or tick or click if you move 'em (tilt switch?)
Are there any extra holes or brackets that you've noticed?
Click to expand...
I cant see any markings at all, my next step is to remove the circuit board and check under it (yes i know I should have done that already ;))
The boxes are made of aluminium and there doesn't appear to be any reed or tilt switches, but they are sealed in epoxy so its hard to say.
 
This looks like a data logger to me (the varta battery also supports this in terms of retaining data) I remember using something very similar to this some years ago when we were trying to determine hull stresses in iron ore carriers (ships - they kept sinking and people were getting a bit annoyed about it ) in this case the 8 "boxes" we're actually Wheatstone bridges where the electrical resistance changed as the bridge moved...just a thought...
 
Thanks, its a good thought and one to consider, I will post here any more info I find, I am now wondering what other 'devices' are hidden away in the murky depths of my range rover!
 
ok - as you've also done a bit of research on these chip no's - i won't go too deep!
MC146805.. Microprocessor (Motorola) - 11 in/outs, 112 Bytes RAM
PGM-12.5v...EPROM
MP7628AD...Quad multiplier, 8 bit D to A converter.
AD0809ccn...A to D converter
74138..........3 to 8 line decoder/Demultiplexer
7400.............2 i/p Nand
74373...........Octal D type Latch
7432............ 2 i/p OR gate
CD7402.........Quad, 2 i/p NOR
4116R-001........Resister network.
Silver can at top is Crystal for clock for microprocessor
Battery would be for Eprom - if its knackered then there's a good chance that what ever program EPROM had - has been lost - which would explain why nothing seems to work.
There is nothing here for GPS- the latches would suggest some kind of alarm system.
-I remember many moons ago being fascinated by a Mercedes in Germany that would bark out a warning in German every time you approached the car within a couple of Feet! - and this was from any angle or side! - Could it be something like this? -or just a lot of movement sensors (this makes more sense) One Sensor triggering wouldn't set the alarm off - but say three or more in a certain plain of movement? - This makes sense to me!
My theory - which is totally mine and no-one else's!
 
Cavendish said:
This looks like a data logger to me (the varta battery also supports this in terms of retaining data) I remember using something very similar to this some years ago when we were trying to determine hull stresses in iron ore carriers (ships - they kept sinking and people were getting a bit annoyed about it ) in this case the 8 "boxes" we're actually Wheatstone bridges where the electrical resistance changed as the bridge moved...just a thought...
Click to expand...
was going to suggest loadcells, but usually they have a hole thru them to measure torsional force, aint seen them like these before.
are the boxes as crude as they look on the pic? ie folded up sides before the resin was put in?

whats on the other end of the cable that powers it up? is this still in the motor?
how old is the rangerover?

:whoosh:interesting so far!
 
Mugsey said:
ok - as you've also done a bit of research on these chip no's - i won't go too deep!
MC146805.. Microprocessor (Motorola) - 11 in/outs, 112 Bytes RAM
PGM-12.5v...EPROM
MP7628AD...Quad multiplier, 8 bit D to A converter.
AD0809ccn...A to D converter
74138..........3 to 8 line decoder/Demultiplexer
7400.............2 i/p Nand
74373...........Octal D type Latch
7432............ 2 i/p OR gate
CD7402.........Quad, 2 i/p NOR
4116R-001........Resister network.
Silver can at top is Crystal for clock for microprocessor
Battery would be for Eprom - if its knackered then there's a good chance that what ever program EPROM had - has been lost - which would explain why nothing seems to work.
There is nothing here for GPS- the latches would suggest some kind of alarm system.
-I remember many moons ago being fascinated by a Mercedes in Germany that would bark out a warning in German every time you approached the car within a couple of Feet! - and this was from any angle or side! - Could it be something like this? -or just a lot of movement sensors (this makes more sense) One Sensor triggering wouldn't set the alarm off - but say three or more in a certain plain of movement? - This makes sense to me!
My theory - which is totally mine and no-one else's!
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the concise information, I think what you say makes a lot of sense, particularly if there is no gps hardware. It did/does have an elaborate anti-theft system ( including 4 different disabling devices in the electrics and fuel systems) so I suppose it could be an extension of that system, proximity sensors as you say, that could further protect it. It also had 2 ultrasonic interior sensors in the cabin.
I have also seen those systems where if someone sneezes within 6 feet of your car all hell breaks loose - maybe something along those lines.
The battery is exhausted, so as you say, would have lost all data.
 
nrgserv said:
was going to suggest loadcells, but usually they have a hole thru them to measure torsional force, aint seen them like these before.
are the boxes as crude as they look on the pic? ie folded up sides before the resin was put in?

whats on the other end of the cable that powers it up? is this still in the motor?
how old is the rangerover?

:whoosh:interesting so far!
Click to expand...
Yes those boxes are as they appear, folded up then resin added, the whole thing seems crude, but is fairly professional, maybe knocked up specially and not mass produced.
Its a 1992 RRC vogue. I have to admit a lack of oversight on my part, in that I have forgotten where the cable went - I followed into the engine compartment, but then I cant remember how I disconnected it, or what from, obviously i should have noted where it went, but i was pre-occupied with the welding and didn't pay much attention until after - will have to sleep on that one.
It does have a Range Rover CATS anti theft decal on the window glass if that helps.

As you say ... interesting and I must say a big thank you to all you kind folks that have responded.
 
slartybartfast said:
That's a great idea - i never knew about this site, I will give it a try, thanks.
Click to expand...

No problem - someone posted on that page that they had found a weird device attached to their car and it was identified as a tracking device used by the police - he tried to sell it on Craiglist but the government came back to collect it - news story here:
Reddit user finds FBI tracking device on his car, almost sells it on Craigslist | News | Geek.com

The tracking device looks nothing like yours though so I think you're safe for now :D
 
AliV said:
No problem - someone posted on that page that they had found a weird device attached to their car and it was identified as a tracking device used by the police - he tried to sell it on Craiglist but the government came back to collect it - news story here:
Reddit user finds FBI tracking device on his car, almost sells it on Craigslist | News | Geek.com

The tracking device looks nothing like yours though so I think you're safe for now :D
Click to expand...
LOL thanks, I have posted it on that site so we will see what happens, if I find out I will post it here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

brasso
L322 Anyone know what this is?
Replies
4
Views
427
brasso
brasso
Maat
Does anyone know what this is?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Dippypud
Dippypud
S
Freelander 1 What is this in the trunk?
Replies
4
Views
296
Nodge68
Nodge68
ibizalandy
Anyone know what this is?
Replies
5
Views
755
mystery
mystery
N
What is this?
Replies
1
Views
574
Arctic2
Arctic2
Back
Top