Alan Browne
Contributor
Last year, diving Roatan, a fellow Quebecer lent me his backup computer for the duration. Also lent me his wicked powerful flashlight on a night dive that he didn't attend. On return I sent him a couple 18650's and charger as he was challenged to keep his battery charged. I digress.
About a month ago I wrote to him and asked if he'd sell me his backup (see post title) and to my delight, he agreed.
Playing with it (aka learning) it kept saying "Battery OK". I didn't find the battery voltage level (at that time).
I decided to replace it. The local dive shop said, over the phone, sure, $20 (Canadian) for the battery, O-ring and new screws. "Great" I said, put one asside for me please.
Then they went on about them doing the service with a sealing test and pressure check and depth gauge verification - for more bucks of course (all tolled, another $35 or more). I checked out a video on how to do it and it looked fairly straight forward.
So I declined the additional service.
I picked up the kit yesterday, and again got the pitch over the testing, and declined again.
Without any rush it took about 10 minutes to do. And I mean I really took my time. I cleaned the cover with alcohol and filtered water too. After 5 minutes, the seal seemed to have "settled" so I got in another almost quarter turn. Not sure if that was necessary. Probably not. (And in setting up the computer I then found the battery voltage indicator... wish Suunto would display that along with the "OK" message).
Anyone else do this?
It occurs to me that I might be able to jury rig a test using a compressor and box with a plexiglass cover. Should easily be able to get it to 2 bar over sea level. But of course I don't have a calibrated reference so that would be pretty useless. (Comparing it to a console would just be the Chinese watch problem).
About a month ago I wrote to him and asked if he'd sell me his backup (see post title) and to my delight, he agreed.
Playing with it (aka learning) it kept saying "Battery OK". I didn't find the battery voltage level (at that time).
I decided to replace it. The local dive shop said, over the phone, sure, $20 (Canadian) for the battery, O-ring and new screws. "Great" I said, put one asside for me please.
Then they went on about them doing the service with a sealing test and pressure check and depth gauge verification - for more bucks of course (all tolled, another $35 or more). I checked out a video on how to do it and it looked fairly straight forward.
So I declined the additional service.
I picked up the kit yesterday, and again got the pitch over the testing, and declined again.
Without any rush it took about 10 minutes to do. And I mean I really took my time. I cleaned the cover with alcohol and filtered water too. After 5 minutes, the seal seemed to have "settled" so I got in another almost quarter turn. Not sure if that was necessary. Probably not. (And in setting up the computer I then found the battery voltage indicator... wish Suunto would display that along with the "OK" message).
Anyone else do this?
It occurs to me that I might be able to jury rig a test using a compressor and box with a plexiglass cover. Should easily be able to get it to 2 bar over sea level. But of course I don't have a calibrated reference so that would be pretty useless. (Comparing it to a console would just be the Chinese watch problem).