Petrel 3 Failure

[InWay2Deep]

This was posted in the Computer forum, it came from Shearwater to DEALERS (not end users). Thought it needed visibility here since it will affect CCR divers the most,

TO: SHEARWATER RESEARCH REBREATHER PRODUCT CUSTOMERS
RE: Petrel 3 Product Service Bulletin
Introduction

IMPORTANT WARNING – per the Shearwater Research product manual:
This computer will fail. It is not whether it will fail but when it will fail. Do not depend on it. Always have a plan for how to handle failures. Automatic systems are no substitute for knowledge and training. No technology will keep you alive. Knowledge, skill, and practiced procedures are your best defense.

Background
Shearwater has identified a failure mode in certain Petrel 3 controllers, monitors and dive computers where the product may experience an unexpected loss of power. In extreme cases, a loss of power could occur when the computer is in use.

The likelihood and rate of this issue is very low. However, a product improvement is being implemented for new production that will improve the reliability of the Petrel 3. In keeping with Shearwater’s commitment to reliability and safety we are recommending that all Petrel 3s be serviced to implement the product improvement also.

Please contact Shearwater, your nearest Service Centre directly, or your Shearwater dealer to initiate the service paperwork and receive shipping instructions.

Does the impact new Petrel 3?
Production and new sales are suspended until the improved procedures are tested and implemented. Existing Petrel 3 customers are encouraged to service their computer and the product improvement will be offered free of charge.

Can I continue to use my Petrel 3?
In diving, the adage "two is one and one is none" underscores the importance of redundancy. It is not a matter of if a product will fail but when it will. To ensure your safety, it is imperative to carry redundant systems and have a well-considered plan for handling product failures. Relying solely on automatic systems is not a substitute for comprehensive knowledge, training, and practiced procedures. No technology, no matter how advanced, can replace the fundamental skills and awareness that keep divers safe. Your best defense against unforeseen issues is a thorough understanding of your equipment and well-rehearsed emergency protocols.

Regular maintenance, care, and servicing of diving equipment are crucial for ensuring diver safety. While the identified failure mode on the Petrel 3 has a low likelihood of occurrence, we strongly advise that all users proactively return their units for the recommended product improvement. This proactive step is essential in maintaining high standards of safety and performance.

What should I do?
We expect the product improvement process to be ready for production and reprocessing of existing products by mid September. In keeping with our values of really, really caring about customers, we felt it important to raise awareness before the improvement was ready.

Please contact your nearest Service Centre to request the product improvement service. They will advise you of the process to send in your Petrel 3.

Please note that this product service bulletin only affects Petrel 3s. There is no evidence that this failure mode is present in the Petrel 2. If you have a Petrel 2 there is no need for the product improvement service, however, as stated above, routine maintenance, care and servicing diving equipment is an essential safe diving practice.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we constantly work to enhance the reliability of our product, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

If you have questions about this matter, or are unsure of where to send your computer, please contact us at info@shearwater.com.

I spoke to Richard at Divetronics and he said there is currently NO official fix for this from Shearwater yet and they have already started getting lots of calls/emails. He hopes to have something by end of week so they can start repairs. However, the failure has currently only been observed on units with a high number of battery changes. There was a piece of molding removed for the 3 and replaced with silicon which causes stress on the power wire when changing the battery, so if you don't change your battery very often you likely won't have an immediate issue. Although, as always, have a backup plan for when the computer fails. Also there are currently no new Petrel 3's being produced, and none likely will be sold after today due to this letter which went out to dealers. The recommendation is to NOT send in the computer until Shearwater sends notification to end users as there are only 3 service centers that works on Monitors/Controllers and NONE of them are going to modify the computer w/o guidance from shearwater and IF there is an official recall you might be w/o your computer for a year or more, so advise is to wait for communication to end users from Shearwater directly.

 

[davehicks]

I had this failure with my Petrel 3 Ext (fischer). It was rebooting randomly during dives. It still worked and retained memory of the dive progress. But unsettling. Shearwater sent me a new computer and wanted to study the failure mode in my unit. It looks like this is the resolution to the class of problem I had.

I was not doing a large number of battery changes at all. Maybe just 2-3 before this issue occurred. I had one of the first batch of Petrel3s and the problem showed up in the first year of use.

 

[davehicks]

The replacement unit Shearwater sent me has been flawless.

 

[InWay2Deep]

The replacement unit Shearwater sent me has been flawless.

Good to hear, but the one you have now does not have the 'fix' applied. They are retooling which from what I've heard will take 3 months to start shipping. So you might still want to send it in for service once they release an authorized repair or it could happen again.

 

[davehicks]

Good to hear, but the one you have now does not have the 'fix' applied. They are retooling which from what I've heard will take 3 months to start shipping. So you might still want to send it in for service once they release an authorized repair or it could happen again.

Sure, but there does not seem to be any rush. Seems like they are not ready for it anyway. I've done a lot of dives on it since they replaced it back in May 2024, and no problems at all. I'll likely wait until it needs some other sort of service.

 

[mr_v]

Great news for Narked at 90, Jurgensen Marine, Divesoft, and other manufacturers that may provide alternatives. It is about the time.

I've been exploring Shearwater alternatives and here is what I found:

• If you want a cheap monitor (4-PIN) solution, get a HUD from Narked at 90 or Fathom.
• Divesoft Freedom is an option as a monitor*, but you'll have to get the cables from Narked at 90.
• Jurgensen Marine's TigerShark looks like a good alternative for either a monitor or a controller.
• You can buy a Fisher-to-4-PIN converter and use older Fischer-based computers as monitors**.
• You can get a NERD2 monitor or controller. But if you have a NERD 2 already, do you want to have two?

I am *lucky* in a sense that I will have another monitor cable dropped into rEvo so that if the controller fails, I'll be able to dive with 2 monitors in manual mode. I am also exploring Tigershark controller from Jurgensen and a Divesoft Freedom monitor.

If you have a rEvo and are wondering about running an extra monitor cable, DM me. I have official parts from rEvo on order that will dramatically simplify the setup.

Cheers~

* My statement does not apply to Liberty divers.
** You can use Petrel 2, but Shearwater cannot fix Petrel 2 electronics.

 

[Matan]

** You can use Petrel 2, but Shearwater cannot fix Petrel 2 electronics.

But there's nothing wrong with Petrel 2 no?

Matan.

 

[justinthedeeps]

Is this an intermittent failure or a permanent one?

Been changing batteries (to charge) somewhat regularly on the 3 and it hasn't exhibited this problem.

Pretty sure I saw this happen (an intermittent reboot) once or twice on my older Petrel 2 as well ? But it also still works.

Glad I'm not one of those people who keeps trying to sell their Petrel 2 online after upgrading to a 3. Keep that spare!

 

[mr_v]

But there's nothing wrong with Petrel 2 no?

Matan.

As Shearwater said, dive computers will eventually fail. If Petrel 2 fails and you need a Shearwater replacement, NERD 2 will be the only viable Shearwater option. Shearwater cannot fix Petrel 2 electronics. When my Petrel 2 failed, I promptly received Petrel 3... And now that...

 

[davehicks]

Is this an intermittent failure or a permanent one?

Been changing batteries (to charge) somewhat regularly on the 3 and it hasn't exhibited this problem.

Pretty sure I saw this happen (an intermittent reboot) once or twice on my older Petrel 2 as well ? But it also still works.

Glad I'm not one of those people who keeps trying to sell their Petrel 2 online after upgrading to a 3. Keep that spare!

I still have my spare Petrel 2.