Quote: (Originally Posted by
kev)
Hi, as a relatively new Optima diver I'm asking for info on what batteries most use ? So far I've used the recommended 3.6v TL5903 Tadiran however one of these failed on a dive after giving an ok reading before the dive.
My dives can be a few weeks apart so if they behave anything like underwater torches which always need batt changes even if only used about once.
How about the 1.5v batts ? Has anyone made much use of these ? Reason being, here they are more readily available and I can buy about 6 (1.5's) for 2 3.6's which I've got to order in ! Not a biggy as in price but the convenience of it.
Kev
What are you calling an OK reading?? - Watch the reading with the back light activated.. (hit the right button a few times to keep it on), and try a get the solenoid to fire as well.. the voltage with it idle will be higher than it under work.. the bat voltage reading is the current voltage reading, you need to watch it under higher load situations..
are you leaving them in between dives in this long period or are you removing them (the handsets will continually draw current, since they are never really off, just in a low power mode - less than 3 weeks will kill a 1.5v aa).. I'm not sure what voltage is ok on the tadiran batteries.. but with saft cells once they are hitting 2.9v more than just once in a while they need to be changed.. You can set the alarm to 3.0v if bat is showing more than just occasionally then its time to replace.. (I usually set my alarm at 2.8v so that I can see the actual voltage) using the backlight and the solenoid firing will intermittently trigger this but the voltage should come back quickly.. if it doesnt then its time to change..
If I see 3.0v without the b/l on I know the batteries should be changed..
I would aslo suggest you check the date on the cells.. if the place you are buying them from doesnt sell alot, you could have old cells..
I always use lithium cells in cold water or if I am doing lots of conseqitive diving (I have been getting over 30 hours of actual dive time on saft ls14500 cells, before changing them).. In warm water or for an occasional dive I will use 1.5v cells..
if you play with the handsets alot and activate the bl it will significantly decrease the battery life (the backlight draws alot of current).. its much better to shine a light on the handset to see the readings than activate the b/l unnecessarily.. keep the b/l duration short..