Wireless Transmitter Battery Change - Scuba Tech Tips: S08E11

Wireless transmitters sent tank pressure data to wrist mounted dive computers and require special parts and skills to properly replace the battery. Alec explains why he recommends a dive shop service professional replace and test the transmitter battery to reduce the risk of flooding.

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[peterneubauer]

I own a wireless wrist computer and love it. I trust in Alec's opioion and will take it in to the shop when the time comes to replace the battery. Thanks for another great video Alec.

[bobthediverdudemerrick]

I would trust anything Alec says with my life. A guy that has been diving this long and sharing the wealth of knowledge he has with us all is invaluable to me. I've watched all of his videos and go back to them for reference from time to time. I get what people are talking about in regards to redundancy. My entire career in IT is all about redundancy. But the dive computer is the replacement for the SPG. But, if you want to carry and SPG for additional safety, by all means do so. Just some of us don't. Thanks Alec!!

[andrewbaker]

If you've got a ScubaPro G2 transmitter, I'd recommend replacing the battery annually or before every big diving trip. My factory G2 transmitter battery was throwing low battery alerts after less than a year (14 dives), and the replacement battery had a similar lifespan before beginning to alert. I carry spare batteries with me now :)

[GeorgeP-rbsf]

Thanks Alec! I have a Suunto Viper Nuvo wrist computer and tank transmitter. The Suunto Viper computer battery is user replaceable, but the transmitter battery is not. The computer has a battery check to OK every time you turn it to dive mode. Surprisingly, there is no battery check for the Suunto transmitter. I was diving in Bonaire last week and after a half dozen dives the PSI bar on my computer flashed BATT to show the transmitter battery was dead, with no psi, so I ended my dive. If I had a redundant SPG I could have continued. Before my next dive I added a redundant SPG console, that I will always now use as a backup. And, Alec is right that the transmitter should only be serviced by a Suunto service center. The cap must be replaced, and Suunto only sells that kit to Service centers. My dive buddy is a tech at a Suunto service center, and he confirmed that the transmitter can flood without a new cap. Suunto battery service at my center costs $55.

[johntomasik]

Just a little more info...btw, I have a Shearwater Perdix with a Shearwater transmitter. Both the Perdix and the transmitter are not low end computers. The Perdix was $1300, the transmitter was $300 or so (been about 3 years, so don't rightly remember). Both the computer and the transmitter have coin slots for user battery replacement. The computer uses a disposable AA. The transmitter is a CR2 lithium. Just an FYI for other Perdix or Shearwater transmitter users.

I wear my wristwatch on my left wrist, so when I wear the Perdix, which is too big to use as a wristwatch anyway, I wear it on my right wrist. This adds one benefit for me: during ascents, when I want to look at depth and ascent rate, my left hand is on my LPI to manage air in my BCD. With my computer on my right hand, I don't have to lower my hose to look at it. This still allows me to use my SMB, since I don't have to worry about raising my right hand above my BCD to manage that line. Just a convenience for me. Everyone has their preference.

[dohadiver]

Hello Sir, I want to ask for transmitter mares LED TANK MODULE NFC WHAT’s theO-ring size we can use it ?? thank you

[Diver]

I have the Aqua Lung i450T watch/computer with tank transmitter and literally the night before we were due to leave on our dive vacation I got the low battery indicator on the watch. It's a "user changeable" battery and I had the correct replacement battery and followed the battery change process to the letter but on every dive I was anxious that the computer would flood on me. And with no spg back up, my diving would've been done. Luckily, I had no issues but from now on I'll be taking it in to the service center for battery replacement. Thanks for the advice, Mr. Peirce. Love your tech tips!

[pricediver]

is the Wireless computer more reliable than a normal air intergrated dive computer that connects to the tank?

[heath]

I can attest to the reliability of hose type air integrated computers. I have an Oceanic Datamax Pro Plus that is 19 years old and still going strong. This thing just won't die, and the calendar only went to 2008, so Oceanic only thought it would last 10 years. The only thing I have replaced is the battery cover o-ring each time I replace the battery. I just upgraded to a Shearwater Teric (awesome computer and well worth the $$$) and the old girl is now my back-up. I've never felt the need to have a backup SPG. One could argue that its just another point of failure. I simply love having one less hose using the Teric with a transmitter. Horses for courses I guess.

[michaelclarke]

Alec


Would it be possible to do a video about pressure testing dive computer/watch/transmitter after changing the battery so that we know it will not leak on a dive when it is needed.

[mattiaconti]

Hi Alec! I would like to know more about metal that screws into plastic...
Speaking about the transmitter, you said to use a new cap because they have metal screws into plastic cap and, after you unscrew them, it will never be the same. Got it. My question is: what about a power inflator or even a dry suit inflator? They both have metal nipple (I mean the one that it's connected to the inflator hose) that screw into plastic... I always take it apart when servicing the power inflator/dry suit inflator because I want to change the o-ring behind it. Is it bad? Should I use some teflon when doing that? I hope you can understand, English is not my first language :)
A fan from Italy

[lorentrager]

How long does the battery last? I got my transmitter 2 years ago but haven’t done with it yet. The watch batteries do seem to die rather quickly. Is there a way to tell if I need to replace the transmitter battery?

[owenmougenot]

Hi Alec. Interesting video as always. I thought that the pressure testing chamber was a neat thing, I don't recall seeing one on the bench at your old place? Just wondering if it is dry or full of water then pressurized? I could see using this to test flashlights too. Always a good day when you learn something new (and don't have a scar to show for it! :)Thanks Owen M

[maelox]

First time in your your channel, amazing explanation definitely another subscriber by me...

[mk]

The Suunto D series Dive Computer / Watches only last about 2 years.

[AdamHelb]

I like Alec's videos but this is on of the weaker ones. I change the battery on my G2 transmitter myself and no problem.

[loosejuice]

Sorta random question but where is the cheapest place to buy a spare air

[alaind]

this is a different DIY! actually it's the opposite... I've changed the battery on multiple Cobras and have no issues (well other than depth sensor going bad, but that's a known separate issue) but after 2 years and 80+ dives still says full battery so not like I have to do it often :)
I have another (to be sold) wireless/watch AI one - decided to keep the wired one (with compass) so I can keep jamming my hands grabbing lobsters.. speaking of which it's the season. I'm out of here...

[toriless]

My dive shop definitely has not such pressure chamber. I have seen where they work. Lots of parts and tools but nothing like that device.

[toriless]

Take the dive computer itself to a watch repair shop. That is what I have been doing with my Dive watch. The will charge you less then half as much.