Uwatec Aladin Pro battery good to 0%... NOT!

[drbill]

I posted earlier this year about my Uwatec Aladin Pro dive computer. My computer failed on a deco dive with the remaining battery life indicating 39%.

I mentioned that I was told by the sales person (who also still dives this computer) that the battery was good down to a bit past 0%. My LDS said he has seen several of them die once they drop into the 30-40% range. A representative from Scubapro-Uwatec confirmed that by e-mail.

I really like this computer and continue to dive with it. In fact much of my equipment is older ScubaPro gear.

However, I recently looked at the Aladin Pro manual and it states in it that the computer battery will still function even when the indicator hits 0%. Since divers use these as part of their life support equipment, it appears that Scubapro-Uwatec has engaged in some potentially life threatening false advertising.

I wonder if anyone out there who dives with this model computer has had the same experience, and would be interested in a group letter to their management about this apparently false claim?

Please contact me via PM or e-mail if you are. I'll draft the letter and have anyone else read it before adding their names to it.

 

[Dibblerr]

I recently had a similar problem with my Smart Tec the counter dropped from 79% to 0% over a couple of days.

I got a replacement unit, but was advised the battery life meter is not really that but more of a 'usage counter' and appararently 'battery life' is not easy to show easily/reliably/accurately

 

[divelizard]

If your computer battery went down that fast, then you probably put it away damp or in a damp or wet bag. The water bridges the contacts and it cycles continuously. I've seen this happen on more than one occasion. Alot of dive stores forget to tell you about that or don't know any better. I make sure my bag never gets wet and I dry my computers fully before storage.

 

[Friggincold]

Since divers use these as part of their life support equipment, it appears that Scubapro-Uwatec has engaged in some potentially life threatening false advertising.




Inquiring minds wish to know.......you mean to say that with all the discussion on the boards about electronic devices and not relying on them for deco, your betting your life on one of these computers?

 

[drbill]

Inquiring minds wish to know.......you mean to say that with all the discussion on the boards about electronic devices and not relying on them for deco, your betting your life on one of these computers?

Of course not... I have backup (analog depth gauge and timer). That isn't the point... it is the apparent misinformation in their manuals. If it says the battery will still drive the computer at 0%, then it is false and very misleading when a number of them go out at 30-40%.

Yes, the ScubaPro rep told me the remaining battery life indicator is just an "estimate" and not a direct measure of the voltage. That only adds to the problem re: the discrepancy between their manual and actual use.

 

[drbill]

Just noticed I put this in the regulator sub-fourum by mistake. Can a mod move it to dive computers? TIA.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Consider it moved...

Even under the best of conditions, a battery meter that measures voltage is less than perfect. I have had computers that indicated healthy batteries fail at depth once they cold soaked in very cold water (under 45 degrees). Back on the surface on a 90 degree boat deck, they work just fine when they warm back up.

I think the best approach is to go with a computer with user replaceable batteries as they can be replaced with new ones just before a dive trip. To be doubly sure and to prevent using "new" batteries that have been on the shelf too long you can easily check them with a voltmeter before installing them.

Scubapro/Uwatec has (thank God) finally moved to user replaceable batteries on their newer models an they are a much improved way to go.

 

[drbill]

Thanks for "relocating" my thread.

Of course even the best of systems won't be 100% accurate. However, I think Uwatec needs to reword any manuals that make these claims as they are untrue and unsafe.

 

[blatter]

I have the later Alladin Pro with the large display and no round battery compartment door.

It was reading 50% then died suddenly - was in the middle of a dive trip and found out about it the when gearing up - luckily I dive with a redundant computer so no problem but annoying all the same.

I actually kept a record of this as I was a bit skeptical about the accuracy of the indicator as per the above post and wanted some warning, particularly when this used to be my primary computer. It was averaging about 10 dives per percentage of power remaining - although a drop of 1% could occur after as many as 25 dives or as few as 3.

According to the manual it should have lasted longer and given more warning.
A regular dive buddy has the older model with round battery compartment door that has stopped without warning during a dive on two occasions due to low battery.

 

[drbill]

As the Uwatec techie told me, the remaining battery indicator on this model only estimates the remaining life since it uses an independent algorithm to calculate it rather than any direct voltage measurement. In view of that, it seems very irresponsible of Uwatec-Scubapro to make the written claim they do in the manual that the computer will still function for a while even once the "battery indicator" displays 0%. Quite frankly, I would see grounds for a lawsuit if I were the litiginous type. Good thing I'm just a very mellow California dive bum!