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Scuba Forum / General / October 2006

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Aladin Battery Replacement

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mseeley - 25 Mar 2005 07:34 GMT
Thanks to everyone who replied
I sent several emails to scubapro and never received a reply.
I called the 1-800-scubapro number as suggested
Talked to a rep at the company.
I was told that they did not recommend doing anything until the battery was
down to
20%.
He said that at 41% battery left that the computer should continue to
function for
approximately 2 more years.
I was told that the battery was NOT replaceable.
I was told that:
"Everybody thought that the battery in this unit was replaceable but it is
not"
I was also told that I could take the computer to a authorized retailer for
an "upgrade
trade-in".
I personally know a diver who has had the battery replaced in the exact same
computer
about 2 years ago.
However, I fully realize that it may have been exchanged for a refurbished
one as
mentioned in a previous post.
Now according to the owners manual that came with the dive computer:
and this is on page 109 of the
Operating Manual Aladin Air X Nitrox
September 1995, Copyright by Uwatec Switzerland
"Take the dive computer or the transmitter to an authorized Uwatec dealer in
order to
change the batteries. The actual change of the batteries is made at the
manufacturer or the
importer. The computer is checked for its technical functioning at the same
time. So not
attempt to have the batteries changed by anyone other than an authorized
dealer."
Up until now I have been extremely satisfied with the Aladin computer.
It developed a leak a few years ago.
And was replaced by the manufacturer with no problem.
However now it looks as if I will soon have a very expensive paperweight
because I
cannot have the battery replaced.
When I purchased the computer I fully realized that the battery was not user
replaceable
and would be expensive to replace.
But I never expected that I would not be able to have the battery replaced
and that the
manufacturer would stop servicing the unit.
I will continue to try to remedy the situation with the manufacturer.
If anybody has any suggestions please let me know.
Thank You
Mike Seeley

"mseeley" <> wrote in message ...> I have an Aladin NitrOX wrist mount
air-integrated
hoseless computer.
Does anybody have any experience with getting the battery replaced?
Is there a way I can get it done from the manufacturer without going through
a dive shop?
The dive shop that I purchased the computer from no longer carries
Aladin-Scubapro and cannot send it in to get the battery replaced.
Thanks
Mike Seeley

Contact them direct 1.800.scubapr

For warning they typically just send you a reburbished unit rather send
your original back to you. They charge $50+ for this service.

Allen
Steve - 25 Mar 2005 09:40 GMT
> But I never expected that I would not be able to have the battery replaced

The batteries can definitely be replaced, but it's a question of how much effort and
expertise is required. I've never looked at the sending unit, but if your receiver is
like the mid-90's Aladdin sport model I've got, it should be easy to change the
battery. The one I've got is old enough to be a Beuchat instead of an Aladdin, but
appears to be identical. If so, the battery compartment has a round screw-in cover
about 5/8" in diameter with 2 small holes in it. Unscrew it with a small pin spanner
(a pair of fine needle nose pliers will work perefectly well). The battery will be a
3.6 volt lithium cell with solder tabs. Unsolder the old battery, solder on the new
one, being sure to observe polarity, and close it up. A new O-ring would be nice, but
without knowing the specs you probably won't get a pefect match anyway. As long as
you can't find any damage on the old o-ring cleaning it and putting it back with a
light coat of silicone will probably be just fine. I don't have a spare battery handy
so I can't tell you what it is, other than the info above. A decent electronics shop
should be able to order based on the old one. The place I've goneto charged me about
$10 and it took 2 or 3 days. If you've got decent mechanical aptitude I expect the
transmitter will also be fairly straighforward. If it's an intelligent design I
expect it will just unscrew (one way or another) to expose the battery, which pretty
much has to be a button/coin type. A few of those are uncommon and you probably need
to do a web search and order online.

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Steve

The above can be construed as personal opinion in the absence of a reasonable
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stuart tyrer - 25 Mar 2005 19:57 GMT
my aladin battery was at 54%.
we were at 38mtrs  the aladin went in to deco and then the aladin went
blank. it was the battery  scoobapro said it was the temp (5deg) .
> Thanks to everyone who replied
> I sent several emails to scubapro and never received a reply.
[quoted text clipped - 72 lines]
>
> Allen
Peter Martin - 26 Mar 2005 00:33 GMT
Mine is a Pro Nitrox.  It was at 36% when it quit in the middle of a dive.
And it did just quit, no warning, nothing.

I contacted Subapro and they told me they would not accept it directly, I
had to go through an authorized dealer.  Hey, everybody has to get their
cut.  Fortunately, there is an authorized shop near by.  Several weeks and
$$ later I did get it back with a new battery.

The good news is that it did last a good 5-6 years (~300 dives) on the first
battery.

I'd be surprised if the battery was not replaceable.  You are probably
dealing with people who either don't know what they are doing or are in a
pissy mood.

Good luck.
Pete

> Thanks to everyone who replied
> I sent several emails to scubapro and never received a reply.
[quoted text clipped - 72 lines]
>
> Allen
Clive Dive - 26 Mar 2005 00:54 GMT
41% batery life will give you 2 years?  IMHO  Total CRAP!  On leaving
Elgouna
in Nov 2004 my Aladin pro had 47% batery life.  Guess how much it had 1
day later?  yep, you guessed it   ZERO!!!   Flat as a flat thing.  All
profiles lost, particularly annoyed as 2 of the dives were in excess of
90m and I would have liked to see the profiles.  It was mine from new,8
years ago.  700+ dives and no problems.  Never been in a baggage hold in
its life, always washed in fresh water and dried.  Uwatec tried the
'upgrade ploy'...so I bought a Vytec.  Draw your own conclusions   ;-)
tedt45 - 05 Oct 2006 22:30 GMT
Things to consider when replacing battery in the Aladin Pro.

1. The whole interior of the unit is filled with a liquid that resembles
Liquid Paraffin.
2. You will need at least 300ml of  the same to ensure the unit is full
because it will need to be fully immersed whilst reassmbling.
3. You will need to source a 3.6v uwatec lithium battery of exactly the right
proportions as this is soldered directly to the pcb.
4. Don't use any other battery as you have no idea wether it will survive in
the 'liquid environment'.
5. You will need to thoroughly degrease the whole unit before you do any
soldering because the internal fluid is flammable.
6. You will likely need a new seal as removing it usually destroys it.
7. Unless you are extremely skilled at soldering you will probably burn out
the pcb and the heat-sensitive components.
8. You will need to maintain a 3.6v charge to the poles when replacing the
battery because you cannot guarantee that the memory/program will remain
intact. This is fiddly.
9. Most people stick screwdrivers down the vent holes in the back thus
penetrating the diaphragm seal!
10. Unit is disassembled by lifting the tabs on the edge, at which point the
two halves fall apart. Don't do this over you best carpet!
This reply was made to show the stupidity of trying to replace the battery in
this unit yourself; its just not worth the trouble. If a replacement unit
cost £50 or $50 dollars I would think it a good deal.
 
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