1. Cochran Consulting, Inc.
Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial 9 July 2017
Cochran Consulting, Inc.
Lifeguard CPU Modules Batteries
Lifeguard Display Modules Battery
Lifeguard Battery Display
CAUTION! Failure to follow proper protocol regarding batteries voids Warranty.
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

2. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial CPU Module Batteries
The Lifeguard CPU Modules are powered by two user-replaceable, off the shelf, non-rechargeable, three volt type CR12600SE Lithium batteries. The two batteries are redundant where the electronics system automatically draws power from the battery that has the highest voltage. Should both of these main batteries be depleted, an internal battery takes over and an orderly computer shutdown is executed. This internal battery has an expected life of over ten years. In normal operation, for the original owner, this internal battery will be replaced free of charge at the factory every ten years.
When replacing the main batteries, replace one, then the other so the Module will always have power. If this procedure is followed and the batteries are not completely depleted, replacing the batteries does not affect any parameters within the unit such as Nitrogen loading. Never replace just one battery. Replace ALL with new, fresh ones.
CAUTION: Never leave the unit without batteries! CAUTION: Never store the unit without fresh batteries!
With fresh Lithium batteries, the shelf-life of the batteries is over ten years. In average use the batteries will last for hundreds of hours of diving. However, it is recommended to replace the batteries annually.
CAUTION: Never store the unit with low or depleted or removed batteries!
For maximum reliability and battery life we recommend Lithium type CR12600SE Lithium batteries. However, Alkaline “N” cells will also work but at substantially reduced life and reliability. When using “N” cells, always replace the two Lithium batteries with four new “N” cells.
CAUTION: Never use rechargeable batteries!
The battery voltages can be seen on the Lifeguard Display Module or by using the Analyst PC software Version 5.0.
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

3. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Replacing CPU Module Batteries
The CPU Module main batteries are very easy for the user to replace as there are no chargers, wires, holders, or special tools needed. Each battery has its own watertight compartment that is sealed from the electronics. The compartment is accessed by unscrewing its Cap with a coin (a US Quarter is supplied with the product). Each Cap has two o-rings for watertight redundancy. The contacts in the Battery Caps and Compartments are of a unique metal that resists seawater corrosion. Should a compartment become flooded, immediately and thoroughly flush the compartment and cap with fresh water, let it dry, and replace the battery. Be sure to carefully inspect the Cap for debris before installing it. The Cap is a special material that is softer than the Case material so that the Cap will be expelled should pressure build up within a Compartment.
CAUTION: Observe proper polarity when installing batteries! The positive tip goes in first.
CAUTION: Use caution when tightening the Battery Cap! Do not cross-thread the cap.
CAUTION: While tightening a Cap, observe that the o-rings seat properly!
Tighten battery caps until the o-rings cannot be seen.
Never overtighten the caps.
Only use the supplied U.S. Quarter or similar coin. Never use a screwdriver.
Note: The Lithium battery is non-magnetic and will not affect a compass. Most Alkaline “N” cells are magnetic.
CAUTION: Never use the 12 volt battery that is similar in size to the 1.5 volt “N” cell!
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

4. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Display Modules Battery
The Lifeguard Computer Displays D1 and D3 Modules and Team Module T1 are powered by one user-replaceable Lithium battery three volt Type CR12600SE.
With a fresh Lithium battery, the shelf-life of the Module can be up to ten years. If diving, the battery life depends on the use of the backlight “Taclite”. If only occasionally using the Taclite, the batteries will last for hundreds of hours of diving or two years, whichever occurs first. However, it is recommended to replace the batteries annually. If the Taclite is turned on for 100% of a dive, the battery life will be around 50 hours of diving. The Taclite turns on every time the case is tapped and the amount of time the Taclite stays on can be changed with the Analyst software or by using Touch Programming. From the factory, the Taclite Dwell Time is set for 10 seconds.
For maximum reliability and battery life it is recommend to use Lithium batteries. However, Alkaline “N” cells will also work but at reduced life and reliability.
For average use the batteries will last up to 1,000 hours of diving or two years, whichever occurs first. However, it is recommended to replace the battery annually
The battery voltage can be seen on the Lifeguard Display Module or by using the Analyst PC software.
Note: The Lithium battery is non-magnetic and will not affect a compass. Most Alkaline “N” cells are magnetic.
CAUTION: Never use the 12 volt battery that is similar in size to the 1.5 volt “N” Cell.
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

5. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Replacing Display Modules Battery
The Lifeguard Computer Display and Team Modules battery is very easy for the user to replace as there are no chargers, wires, holders, or special tools needed. The battery has its own watertight compartment that is sealed from the electronics. The compartment is accessed by unscrewing its Cap with a coin (a US Quarter is supplied with the product). The Cap has two o-rings for watertight redundancy. The contacts in the Battery Caps and Compartments are of a unique metal that resists seawater corrosion. Should a compartment become flooded, immediately and thoroughly flush the compartment and cap with fresh water, let it dry, and replace the battery. Be sure to carefully inspect the Cap for debris before installing it. The Cap is a special material that is softer than the Case material so that the Cap will be expelled should pressure build up within a Compartment.
CAUTION: Observe proper polarity when installing battery! The positive tip goes in first.
CAUTION: Use caution when tightening the Battery Cap! Do not cross-thread the cap.
CAUTION: While tightening a Cap, observe that the o-rings seat properly!
Tighten battery cap until the o-rings cannot be seen.
Never overtighten the cap.
Only use the supplied U.S. Quarter or similar coin. Never use a screwdriver.
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

6. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Bargraphs Display - Introduction
Note that all battery displays are battery voltage rather than battery capacity.
The Lifeguard system components can use different battery types, which have different ‘full charge’ voltages. For two (2) N size cells, this voltage can be up to 3.2 volts. For a single lithium battery, the ‘full charge’ can be up to 3.1 volts. The battery displays are calibrated to show all five (5) bars when the battery voltage is 3.2 volts. As the battery voltage decreases, the number of bars in the display will decrease as well. As the battery voltage diminishes, the WARNING legend will become active and flash. As the battery voltage continues to decrease, both the WARNING legend and the remaining bar graph segments will flash.
As the Display Module battery voltage declines, its Audible Warning and Taclite will be disabled to conserve any remaining battery capacity.
As the CPU Module battery voltage declines, the Audible Warning will be disabled and eventually the CPU will stop communicating with the Display Module to conserve any remaining battery capacity. However, the CPU Module will continue any computations and recording until no battery capacity remains.
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

7. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Bargraphs Display – Left Side
The left bar graph is used to display battery information for the Lifeguard system components. During all modes of operation (Surface and Subsurface), with the primary screen being displayed, the left bar graph will indicate the current Lifeguard Display Unit’s battery voltage. There are no other legends active for the display unit’s battery level. When the alternate screen is displayed (by tapping on the display unit screen and waiting for the screen dwell time to elapse), the left bar graph will display the current Lifeguard CPU’s Port battery voltage. This will be signified by the ‘PBAT’ (CPU Port Battery) legend being active.
Please remember that the left bargraph may show:
CPU Port battery voltage or
Display Unit battery voltage
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

8. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Bargraphs Display – Right Side
The right bar graph is used to display a variety of information, depending on the mode of the Lifeguard system. When in the surface mode and the primary screen being displayed, the right bar graph is used to display barometric altitude data. There are no other legends active when altitude is being displayed. When in a Subsurface mode and the primary screen being displayed, the right bar graph is used to display ascent rate information. This will be indicated by the ASCENT RATE legend being active. Should the ascent rate become greater than a user specified limit, the bar graph and the WARNING legend will flash. In all modes of operation (Surface and Subsurface), the right bar graph of the alternate screen (selected by tapping on the display unit screen and allowing the screen dwell time to elapse) will indicate the current Lifeguard CPU’s Starboard Battery voltage. This will be signified by the ‘SBAT’ (CPU Starboard battery) legend being active.
Please remember that the right bargraph may show:
CPU Starboard battery voltage or
CPU Barometric Altitude or
CPU Ascent Rate
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

9. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial Bargraphs Display
The Battery Voltage(s) bargraphs on the LCD Display represents voltages from 2.7 to 3.2 volts.
When using a new Lithium battery the voltage will be nominally 3.0 while two Alkaline ’N’ cells will be 3.2 volts.
Battery voltages vary with temperature, battery condition, current unit operating mode, and other parameters.
CAUTION: Attempting to reset the unit by removing or reversing the batteries can cause permanent damage.
CAUTION: Never use rechargeable batteries.
CAUTION: Removing batteries while in the Post-dive Mode will cause a Corrupted Dive Event.
CAUTION: Never use the 12 volt battery that is similar in size to the 1.5 volt “N” Cell.
© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.

10. Lifeguard® Battery Tutorial © 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.
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© 2017 Cochran Consulting, Inc.