CYPRES 1 "warm up"

[riddler 0]

From the CYPRES 1 User Manual:

Quote

If the unit has not been used for a long time, the battery voltage shown on the display during the initial self-test can appear to be rather low. However, the voltage displayed does not indicate a discharged battery but it is merely due to certain properties of the battery.

The absence of an electric current over a prolonged period will result in the build-up of an internal protective layer which will minimize self-discharge.

This layer can be removed by simply switching the unit on and off a couple of times. You will then see that the battery voltage shown during self-test will rise again.

So I have this rig that's been sitting in a (climate controlled) closet for a couple of years. Batteries are due to be replaced May '08. CYPRES 1 has not been turned on in about 18 months (since the last battery replacement). Four-year service is also due June '08.

The first time I go through the activation sequence, after the button is pressed for the last time, the display flashes 0 with down arrow for about 1/2 second, then the display turns off.

The second time I go through the activation sequence, after the button is pressed for the last time, the display flashes 0 with down arrow for about 1/2 second, then the display turns off.

The third time I go through the activation sequence, the display LCD looks like it's trying to do something, but all the numbers looks like flashing eights (i.e. all bars of the LCD digits are flashing). Then after about three seconds, the unit turns itself off.

The fourth time I go through the activation sequence, the numbers cycle down normally, but the battery voltage indication reads 6000. I turn off the unit manually.

The fifth time I go through the activation sequence, the numbers cycle down normally, and the battery voltage says 6080. I turn the unit off manually.

The sixth time I go through the activation sequence, the numbers cycle down normally, and the battery voltage says 6140. I turn the unit off manually.

The seventh and eighth time I go through the activation sequence, the numbers cycle down normally, and the battery voltage says 6180. I turn the unit off manually both times.

Now, I'm pretty sure that this is just the "build-up of the internal protective layer". But what concerns me is the unit turning itself off the first three times, as well as the random LCD display on the third attempt. It seems to have enough power to turn on the red LED several times, so why can't it stay on? I just want to make sure this seems normal to people that understand the CYPRES batteries - I want to know that this is only a battery issue, and not something else.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[riggerrob 643]

That sounds like the normal "warm up" routine for a Cypres 1 that has been sitting inactive for a while.

[DeNReN 0]

Dont chase your tail around in circles.

Put a new battery in it and then retry.