Pro Dytter battery use

[OutOfTheBlue 0]

I have an older Pro Dytter that is EATING batteries. I started putting it in my log book when I replace them.
On March 23rd, 2004 I put in a new set. On June 20th, I hear the low battery warning sound in the plane. I jumped it once more that day and did not hear the low battery signal the 2nd time and it worked as expected on the jump. But I changed the batteries when I got home. I made about 20 jumps between those two dates.
Last night, July 21st, I hear the low battery warning again! I made about 19 or so jumps between June 20th and yesterday.
I threw a new set of batteries and the screwdriver into my gear bag, just in case, but I plan on jumping it again and seeing if it STILL thinks it's batteries are low.
What are the chances that I recieved bad batteries twice in a row?
I looked through the manual and could not find anything about turning the unit off between trips to the DZ.
It was my hubby's until I bought him his Pro-Track for Christmas in 2002. Not sure how long he jumped with it, but I think he bought it from a friend who jumped it awhile.
Should I toss it out and ask for a Pro-Track for my birthday next month?
Anyone else have this happen with older Pro Dytters?

Cindy

Cindy

Life on earth may be expensive,
but it includes a free trip around the sun!

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

I'd call L&B, I hear their customer service is top notch!

Angela.

[skybytch 273]

How old were the batteries when you installed them? Where'd you get them?

If you're gonna toss it, toss it my way. But I'd suggest an email to L&B (L-and-B at L-and-B dot dk); explain the problem and I'd put money on them taking very good care of you.

[migliore 0]

I've been jumping mine with the original batteries for 3 years (~200 jumps). Definitely email Lars @ L&B and they will help you out. Chances are you will only pay to ship the Dytter to them.

Shane

[ypelchat 0]

There was a bad batch of Pro-Dytters (early production) that ate batteries. E-mail L&B. They will probably send you a replacement.



Yves.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I have one Pro Dytter which began giving me the "low battery" tone about 100 jumps ago. I am continuing to use it until it actually dies to see if it's just a problem with the voltage calibration. I know one person who jumped theirs for over a year with the low battery tone. As they had just replaced the batteries, they were pretty sure that was not the case. At some point I may send mine back, but as I am not device dependant I am just going to see how long the thing will really go.

[OutOfTheBlue 0]

Thanks for the advice! I emailed L&B and within a short time had a reply back that I should send them the unit and they will replace it with a new model for no charge! WOW! What great customer service! I love those guys!

Cindy

Cindy

Life on earth may be expensive,
but it includes a free trip around the sun!

[Markj 0]

Did you try putting it into Economize mode? This way it switches itself off if you don't use it for 14 hours or something like that so even if you forget to turn it off it turns itslef off if you don't skydive for 14 hours.

[Tonto 1]

I did exactly the same thing.

The low batt warning went off on 20 Jan 2003, I did 336 skydives that year, all with a wailing flat batt tone at 1000ft. It scared some people - and I've been donated 6 sets of batteries from those who thought it was a cost issue. I replaced the batteries at the end of 2003, and have donated the others to people who are afraid of their low battery warning tone.

The new ones have been through 250 plus dives so far this year with no problem. I'll replace every New Year in future.

t

It's the year of the Pig.