when is it time to replace a SAFT battery?

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I do have secondary monitoring via a HUD plus a standalone petrel so its not a complete hot mess if the Predator dies on me. But yes the predator ext is on a kiss so its just a monitor no controller. I use the low draw green screen. I will check the current voltage in there tonight.

In theory I could build a load tester.
 
My event on Sat was similar to SWs cold water anecdote.

There was no reason to expect a battery failure pre-dive, but part way through the bottom portion the amber warning appeared, due to a range of other circumstances this was less of a focus that it should/could have been.

An unexpected insta buddy, entanglement and disentanglement of said insta buddy at the base of the shot, a higher average swim speed of insta buddy and a sea/breakfast interface due to the swell on the way out were distracting.

This also resulted in a lower than usual/planned PO2 (MCCR) resulting in around 60 mins of stops. The Predator hung on gamely til the 6m stop then finally gave up...or did it.

I had a HUD and a GF but the GF is a standalone with GF set to 90/90 for a least time ascent if needed. It had already cleared, but by the stage that the Predator died I had been watching it closely to catch the remaining time, and simply waited them out at 6m.

I was carrying tables split split between a GF of 50/75 and 100/100, but the dive depth was shallower than expected so my dil was 16/55 for a 50m dive, but tables were cut for 18/45 (my usual 50m dil). I could have obviously engineered some bastardised time from the tables had the Predator died earlier but I will now extend the range of what's in my wet notes.

Bizarrely the Predator did come back to life for some of the last stop, the dive time counter had reset, but not the decompression calculation which picked up from when it had disappeared. It then died quietly on the boat.

The log has recorded the short reincarnation dive, but there's no sign of the main segment sadly.

Will change early next time...........and avoid insta buddies.
 
How does the Petrel/Perdix battery indicator icon correlate with voltages and different battery types? I couldn't find exact description in the manual.
Safts die quick (and photo lithiums are even worse). I have seen both die during a cold dive after starting with a healthy blue indicator.
 
How does the Petrel/Perdix battery indicator icon correlate with voltages and different battery types? I couldn't find exact description in the manual.
Safts die quick (and photo lithiums are even worse). I have seen both die during a cold dive after starting with a healthy blue indicator.
It depends on battery type and on temperature. Hence the importance of divers to specify the correct battery type. If battery type is not specified correctly it might indicate low battery prematurely or the battery might die without the computer ever sending out a warning.
 
Had the 1/2 AA saft in my shearwater HUD fail last week. Super annoying but was a good forced rest day. Replaced my predator saft even though it was ~3.42V just to be on the safe side and avoid another problem.
 
Just resurrecting this thread for some clarity on the recent behaviour of my Predator. As mentioned the battery died during a dive 10.08.19, I bought the computer in January and had used it with the original battery until 10.08.19 which was around 1340 minutes of diving, unless I had changed it and can't recall but don't think I have done.

I changed the battery on 10.08.19 but on Saturday despite a surface voltage of 3.47 the computer showed 3.2v during the dive and flashed up a warning periodically. Water was around 9 degrees, overhead environment but now in the dry and warm its back to 3.47v.

There are only 373 minutes of use on the new battery. Does this indicate a duff battery, problem with the Predator or both maybe!

It's my primary for a KISS Classic so is only running 3 cells and normal computer functions, i.e. no solenoid or other clever stuff.
 
I think that is a bad one. There's supposedly quite a few saft counterfeits out there, especially on amazon. 3.47V is not fully charged. 3.2V is definitely low.

I bought two 3.6V 850mah 14500 li-ion rechargeables the other day. While a lot less Wh than the non-rechargeable SAFT, I am going to try them because at least I will know that its charged and "full" when I put them in before a big dive.
 
I just had a conversation with the US shearwater repair facility. Had to send in my perdix for a minor issue.
The good SAFT batteries are made in France. There are some made in the UK and China. Those are junk.
The SAFT batteries made in France will be stamped made in France and have a code imprinted on them.
The code starts with the year it was made and will have a series of numbers after.
I now only source them locally or was told that Dive Gear Express sells only the genuine batteries.
I have two in front of me now and both say "made in France" around the positive end right above the warning about fire, explosion, etc.
The numerical code is stamped under the warning.
One I have here is 18 202 A 283 What the other numbers mean we didn't get into but the 18 indicates it was made in 2018.
Just checked and DGX is 69.00 for a tray of 10. Locally they cost between 10 and 12 bucks depending on the vendor. Knowing what I know now, I'll probably order a tray before next season.
 
Battery Junction is sold out of SAFT batteries and does not anticipate receiving a shipment until 25 OCT.

The CS representative suggested an alternate brand, XENO, manufactured in South Korea.

After checking my Shearwater manual, it seems like a suitable option albeit coming in 200mAh less (2400) than the SAFT (2600mAh). Not sure that will make a difference but posting details here in the event somebody smarter than me (the bar is pretty low) has some endorsing or refuting insight.

Model: Xeno XL-060F AA 2400mAh 3.6V Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LiSOCI2) Battery

Specifications:
  • Chemistry: Lithium
  • Voltage: 3.6V
  • Capacity: 2400mAh / 2.40Ah
  • Rating: 9Whr
  • Length: 1.97in (5cm)
  • Width: 0.31in (0.79cm)
  • Weight: 0.02lb (17g)
  • Maximum Current: Continuous 60mA; Pulse 120mA
  • Temperature Range: -55~+85C
Features:
  • High & Steady Operation Voltage
  • Nominal Voltage: 3.6V
  • Operating Voltage: 3.4V
  • Improved TMV (Transient Minimum Voltage) Effect
  • Very Low Self-Discharge Rate
  • Superior Storage Capability (10 Years)
  • Pulse Current up to Several Amperes
  • Stable Operating Voltage
  • Best Pulse-Behavior, low Voltage Drop
  • Bobbin wound construction
Main Applications:
  • Automatic Devices & Remote Sensors
  • Computer Real Time Clocks
  • Electronic Locks/Seals Device
  • GPS/GSM/ARGOS Related Systems
  • Memory Back-Up
  • Power meter, Water meter, Gas meter, Automatic Meter Reading Device
  • RFID/Tollgate Tags, OBU Devices
  • Security/Alarm Systems
  • Tracking Devices
  • Seismic Survey
  • Oceanographic Instruments
  • Buoys
  • Scientific Test Equipment
  • Military Equipment
Replaces: Tadiran TL-2100, TL-4903, TL-5104, TL-5903; SAFT LS-14500, LS-14500C; Sonnenschein SL-360, SL-760; Toshiba ER6V, ER6LV; Maxell ER6, ER6C .
 

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