VR3 problems

MikeH · 23rd October 2005, 14:05

I started having a problem with my VR3 last week, that so far has occurred on every dive since I first had it happen(about 10 dives total). For no apparent reason, while at depth the screen will just go blank. Pressing each button or both together doesn't do anything to bring the screen back. However, when ascending, it always comes back on. It ususally comes back on somewhere around 30-50 feet, regardless of the depth of the dive. When it comes back on, it has obviously been keeping track of depth and time(just by comparing the time with my bottom timer, and looking at the depth/time graph) AND often says "Use tables" and "DECOM MISSED" because I miss the deep stops(because I can't see what depth they are) it calls for.

Has anybody else seen this? If so, what was the fix? The version on the startup screen shows "V3.03aA", and it's a C4 with color screen. It's an older VR3....I bought this when the new style VR3's first came out and were marketed by OMS...and it was back at Delta P for software and screen upgrade about 9-10 months ago. It's got 300+ dives on it, and 75 or so since it came back from upgrade, all with no problems until last week.

I don't want to have to send it back to the UK, because last time I sent mine in for upgrade it took almost 3 months to get it back. It's a pain in the ass the way they do it...I have to take it to a VR3 dealer, they ship it to the US VR3 rep, and then they ship it overseas...then the reverse to get it returned...at least, this is what I was told by the VR3 rep a year ago when I sent it in for upgrade.

Mike

Barrie Law · 23rd October 2005, 14:20

Mike,

This is a new one on me and I have not come across this problem, my Vr3 is the same model with the upgrade and colour screen added.
I think the unit will have to go back to Delta P for attention and if I can help in any way with that requirement let me know.

Cheers

**rdriver** · 23rd October 2005, 15:09

I know you really hate to do it but with it working the way it is what choice do you have......send it in!
Rob

RZEP17 · 23rd October 2005, 18:07

Hi!
It happened to me twice. Both times it was due to the battery, slightly wider diameter then usual. They fit really tight into the battery compartment. Pressure acting on the lid make loose the contact - ergo blank screen. The solution is to make sure that the battery fit loosely in the compartment (with the open lid push on the battery and the spring should bring it back) if not change the battery or smooth/decree the outside surface/diameter of the battery with fine sand paper. Since I follow this procedure I never have that problem again.
rgrds
Tomek

MikeH · 23rd October 2005, 19:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by RZEP17)

Hi!
It happened to me twice. Both times it was due to the battery, slightly wider diameter then usual. They fit really tight into the battery compartment. Pressure acting on the lid make loose the contact - ergo blank screen. The solution is to make sure that the battery fit loosely in the compartment (with the open lid push on the battery and the spring should bring it back) if not change the battery or smooth/decree the outside surface/diameter of the battery with fine sand paper. Since I follow this procedure I never have that problem again.
rgrds
Tomek

I don't think, in my case, it's causing the contact to be broken....because I would think if it had done that, the time would have started over when the contact was re-made....but I can't say for sure.

I'll look into it. After it did it for 2 dives in a row, I thought it might be a low battery....so I replaced the battery with a fresh one(3.6v lithium, same as the one that had been in it for many months). I don't recall whether it fit in loosely or not.

Mike

abowie · 23rd October 2005, 23:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by MikeH)

I don't think, in my case, it's causing the contact to be broken....because I would think if it had done that, the time would have started over when the contact was re-made....but I can't say for sure.

I'll look into it. After it did it for 2 dives in a row, I thought it might be a low battery....so I replaced the battery with a fresh one(3.6v lithium, same as the one that had been in it for many months). I don't recall whether it fit in loosely or not.

Mike

Nope, I think he's right, it's a battery problem.

I have had exactly the same problem you describe.

Put in a new battery of a different brand to the one you're using and try again. Have a look inside the batt compartment and check the contacts to ensure there is no moisture or corrosion on them.

WRT service I sent mine directly to Delta P 3 months ago for service and upgrade. Turnaround took less than 2 weeks and I live in Australia.

While I do not believe that you actually need to have your serviced, can I suggest that in future you just send it direct to Delta P. Why should you have to pay for 3 lots of postage?

Drop Delta P an email if you are concerned.

Gibbon · 24th October 2005, 00:23

MikeH,

I agree with you that it is not a battery problem, sounds more like a contact to the screen only that is struggling - if you will have these fancy add ons....

A couple of suggestions,

1) send it back and get the VPM upgrade at the same time and tell us all about it
2) send it back and see if they will swap the fancy pants colour screen for a VPM upgrade (less connections to go wrong)
3) just send it back to DeltaP to get the actual problem identified and dealt with (fancy pants colour screen connections).

You just need to be positive about the time you are going to be without the VR3 (difficult I know)!

cheers,

Gibbon

MikeH · 17th November 2005, 20:55

I received word back from DeltaP regarding my VR3. It turns out that there was a loose PCB causing the screen to blank but the unit continue to function. Apparently, it was the first time they had seen this specific problem.

Mike

23rd October 2005, 14:05	#1 (permalink)
MikeH Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 178	VR3 problems I started having a problem with my VR3 last week, that so far has occurred on every dive since I first had it happen(about 10 dives total). For no apparent reason, while at depth the screen will just go blank. Pressing each button or both together doesn't do anything to bring the screen back. However, when ascending, it always comes back on. It ususally comes back on somewhere around 30-50 feet, regardless of the depth of the dive. When it comes back on, it has obviously been keeping track of depth and time(just by comparing the time with my bottom timer, and looking at the depth/time graph) AND often says "Use tables" and "DECOM MISSED" because I miss the deep stops(because I can't see what depth they are) it calls for. Has anybody else seen this? If so, what was the fix? The version on the startup screen shows "V3.03aA", and it's a C4 with color screen. It's an older VR3....I bought this when the new style VR3's first came out and were marketed by OMS...and it was back at Delta P for software and screen upgrade about 9-10 months ago. It's got 300+ dives on it, and 75 or so since it came back from upgrade, all with no problems until last week. I don't want to have to send it back to the UK, because last time I sent mine in for upgrade it took almost 3 months to get it back. It's a pain in the ass the way they do it...I have to take it to a VR3 dealer, they ship it to the US VR3 rep, and then they ship it overseas...then the reverse to get it returned...at least, this is what I was told by the VR3 rep a year ago when I sent it in for upgrade. Mike
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23rd October 2005, 14:20	#2 (permalink)
Barrie Law Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 459	Re: VR3 problems Mike, This is a new one on me and I have not come across this problem, my Vr3 is the same model with the upgrade and colour screen added. I think the unit will have to go back to Delta P for attention and if I can help in any way with that requirement let me know. Cheers
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23rd October 2005, 15:09	#3 (permalink)
rdriver Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: Monroe, WI 53566 U.S. Posts: 147	Re: VR3 problems I know you really hate to do it but with it working the way it is what choice do you have......send it in! Rob
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23rd October 2005, 18:07	#4 (permalink)
RZEP17 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 78	Re: VR3 problems Hi! It happened to me twice. Both times it was due to the battery, slightly wider diameter then usual. They fit really tight into the battery compartment. Pressure acting on the lid make loose the contact - ergo blank screen. The solution is to make sure that the battery fit loosely in the compartment (with the open lid push on the battery and the spring should bring it back) if not change the battery or smooth/decree the outside surface/diameter of the battery with fine sand paper. Since I follow this procedure I never have that problem again. rgrds Tomek
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23rd October 2005, 19:49	#5 (permalink)
MikeH Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 178	Re: VR3 problems Quote: (Originally Posted by RZEP17) Hi! It happened to me twice. Both times it was due to the battery, slightly wider diameter then usual. They fit really tight into the battery compartment. Pressure acting on the lid make loose the contact - ergo blank screen. The solution is to make sure that the battery fit loosely in the compartment (with the open lid push on the battery and the spring should bring it back) if not change the battery or smooth/decree the outside surface/diameter of the battery with fine sand paper. Since I follow this procedure I never have that problem again. rgrds Tomek I don't think, in my case, it's causing the contact to be broken....because I would think if it had done that, the time would have started over when the contact was re-made....but I can't say for sure. I'll look into it. After it did it for 2 dives in a row, I thought it might be a low battery....so I replaced the battery with a fresh one(3.6v lithium, same as the one that had been in it for many months). I don't recall whether it fit in loosely or not. Mike
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23rd October 2005, 23:05	#6 (permalink)
abowie Fighting Girl Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 574	Re: VR3 problems Quote: (Originally Posted by MikeH) I don't think, in my case, it's causing the contact to be broken....because I would think if it had done that, the time would have started over when the contact was re-made....but I can't say for sure. I'll look into it. After it did it for 2 dives in a row, I thought it might be a low battery....so I replaced the battery with a fresh one(3.6v lithium, same as the one that had been in it for many months). I don't recall whether it fit in loosely or not. Mike Nope, I think he's right, it's a battery problem. I have had exactly the same problem you describe. Put in a new battery of a different brand to the one you're using and try again. Have a look inside the batt compartment and check the contacts to ensure there is no moisture or corrosion on them. WRT service I sent mine directly to Delta P 3 months ago for service and upgrade. Turnaround took less than 2 weeks and I live in Australia. While I do not believe that you actually need to have your serviced, can I suggest that in future you just send it direct to Delta P. Why should you have to pay for 3 lots of postage? Drop Delta P an email if you are concerned. __________________ Andrew Bowie Rebreather-friendly Buddy Last edited by abowie : 23rd October 2005 at 23:11.
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24th October 2005, 00:23	#7 (permalink)
Gibbon Southern Monkey Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Devon Posts: 224	Re: VR3 problems MikeH, I agree with you that it is not a battery problem, sounds more like a contact to the screen only that is struggling - if you will have these fancy add ons.... A couple of suggestions, 1) send it back and get the VPM upgrade at the same time and tell us all about it 2) send it back and see if they will swap the fancy pants colour screen for a VPM upgrade (less connections to go wrong) 3) just send it back to DeltaP to get the actual problem identified and dealt with (fancy pants colour screen connections). You just need to be positive about the time you are going to be without the VR3 (difficult I know)! cheers, Gibbon Last edited by Gibbon : 24th October 2005 at 01:21. Reason: went back to try spell check.. can't find it ! - ah ha found it and there were no speeeling mitsakes at all !
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17th November 2005, 20:55	#8 (permalink)
MikeH Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 178	Re: VR3 problems I received word back from DeltaP regarding my VR3. It turns out that there was a loose PCB causing the screen to blank but the unit continue to function. Apparently, it was the first time they had seen this specific problem. Mike
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