Replacing cypress batteries

[sunshine 2]

*Deleted* because i asked a legitimate question to clarify something i was confused on and instead of getting an answer, i got a lecture. I thought the point of the forums was to get help in certain situations. Perhaps i mis-interpreted something and wanted to be corrected so before this turns into something nasty, i'll get rid of it now.

[diverdriver 7]

Quote

He said sending it in for the 4year check was plus or minus 3 months but the batts had to be replaced at exactly 2 years.

Anyone care to clarify this for me?

What isn't clear about that? Did you read the Cypres user's guide since you own a Cypres and have it installed on your rig? You are training to be a Rigger and have not read the Cypres user's manual? My suggestion would be to read the Cypres user's manual and your question will be answered in there.

Also, packing it last time knowing the batteries where going to be out of date by 2 months on the next repack I believe is against FARs and should not have been signed off. Why did you then continue to jump a rig that had an unairworthy component on it? This risks the Rigger's ticket who signed it off "under supervision" and the pilot in command of every aircraft you jumped from.

Chris Schindler

[sunshine 2]

Yup, read the cypress manual and it said plus/minus 3 months. That's why i was confused when the rigger said i was mistaken.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[jceman 1]

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Yup, read the cypress manual and it said plus/minus 3 months. That's why i was confused when the rigger said i was mistaken.

I would have been confuesed, too. According to both my manual and my rigger it is as you described it, Che; under that understanding you were quite legal jumping over the past 120 day cycle, but would have been most illegal had you not replaced them during the current AI&R.

It sounds like your rigger needs to a little boning up on this; I have never heard of any rigger who insists on ripping open a reserve pack mid-cycle just to replace CYPReS batteries, which is what would have to be done with a strict interpretaion like his.

BTW, Chris, I think you should know better, too.

Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.

Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them?

[diverdriver 7]

Quote

Quote

Yup, read the cypress manual and it said plus/minus 3 months. That's why i was confused when the rigger said i was mistaken.

I would have been confuesed, too. According to both my manual and my rigger it is as you described it, Che; under that understanding you were quite legal jumping over the past 120 day cycle, but would have been most illegal had you not replaced them during the current AI&R.

It sounds like your rigger needs to a little boning up on this; I have never heard of any rigger who insists on ripping open a reserve pack mid-cycle just to replace CYPReS batteries, which is what would have to be done with a strict interpretaion like his.

BTW, Chris, I think you should know better, too.

From the Cypres User's Manual on the SSK Website:

Quote

CYPRES works with a battery that is calculated to last for approx. two years or approx.
500 jumps. The battery is a high-energy density type, with long life and low self-discharge.
It consists of two round cells, and does not contain heavy metals. Each battery which has
been installed in CYPRES has to be replaced after 2 years at the latest. In case that the
rig or CYPRES will be out of use the battery should be removed and disposed of after 2
years to prevent possible damage. The battery can be replaced by the user, however, the
procedure is tricky and demands considerable attention to detail. See pages 25-29 for full
instructions.

Where does it say +/- 3 months on the batteries?

It also goes on to say:

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• Replace the battery once the self-test has stopped at 8998 (voltage too low), after
two years or after 500 jumps, whichever comes first.

Now what page are you looking at?

Chris Schindler

[Hooknswoop 19]

My understanding of Cypres Maintenance and Battery Replacement is the 4, 8 and 10 year services have to be done +/- 3 months from when it is due. The batteries are no good after 2 years from the date of installation. So if the battery replacement is due in two months, you have two options, 1) Have the rigger pack it w/ a note on the Reserve Data Packing Card stating that the reserve inspection and re-pack is due in two months (when the batteries are due). Or, 2) have your rigger replace the batteries before the re-pack. Same thing for the maintenance, if it is due in 3 months, the rigger can pack it and note that the inspection and re-pack is due in 3 months.

Hook

[sunshine 2]

Even if i'm wrong thats ok. I was just confused. I'm not a total idiot. I did read the manual. It also said they have to be replaced at 500 jumps if you reach that before the 2years. How would any rigger know how many jumps you had on the thing? Yeah, the rigger would turn it on, but if it showed a reading within limits, he wouldn't know it had 500 jumps and needed new batteries. Do most riggers ask the person when they drop it off how many jumps he's made on the current batts?

I know rigging is not somthing to take lightly. It is regulated and must be done according to regs....i just wanted some clarification on the regs. I mean if i got confused about something, maybe other people did too.

[PhreeZone 20]

If the batteries are going to be out mid-repack cycle you should replace them. Thats like saying the Batteries are up July 1st but since today is June 26 they are still ok to repack and jump for a repack cycle.

If you have questions call Cliff at SSK.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[jceman 1]

OK, so I was confused and/or misinformed. The following is taken from the CYPReS-USA website (http://www.pia.com/SSK/cypres/cyp16.htm:

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When does the battery need replaced? Airtec requires that the batteries be replaced the first time the low battery error code (8998/8999) is encountered during self-test, or every two years, or every 500 jumps, which ever of these occurs first. Note that the two year period is from the date of last battery change. The date of the last battery change can be found on an orange label on the cable end of the black plastic processing unit box. As this is packed inside the reserve container, it is necessary for riggers to check out the battery date as part of the reserve inspection / repack.

Further, Airtec recommends to replace the battery if the two year period will be up before the next scheduled repack. This avoids the cost of an extra repack to just change the battery. Note that your rigger can change the battery, the CYPRES unit does not have to be sent to Airtec or SSK.

It is a good idea for all riggers to have some extra CYPRES batteries in stock to avoid extra delays and shipping costs. When stored as instructed the batteries have a long shelf life; the two year period does not start until they are installed.

I still think the manual needs to be clearer on this point.

Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.

Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them?

[slotperfect 7]

Personally, I will not repack a reserve that contains a CYPRES which is due for maintenance or a battery change during the next 120 day period.

I have seen +/- 3 months in the manual. I have never asked SSK/Airtec to clarify this because to me and the way I do business it is a non-issue. I have no way of controlling the use of that rig in the last 30 days of the 120 day period (after the CYPRES maintenance cycle has expired).

From my experience, manuals can be very ambiguous, especially with regard to text and photos/drawings corresponding with one another. They are much better these days, but even I call manufacturers occasionally asking for clarifications.

Arrive Safely

John

[PhreeZone 20]

>From my experience, manuals can be very ambiguous, especially with regard to text and photos/drawings corresponding with one another.

This is a good thing some times. Since as a rigger you have to follow the directions to make something airworthy... if the directions just as "do in the usual manner" this allows a little play area for the rules..

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[sunshine 2]

Thank you for your nicely put response. As a rigger in training it's important to me to learn properly and have my questions answered. If i got blasted everytime i had a question, i think i would've given up long ago.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[slotperfect 7]

True. I agree. Good manufacturers know when to be specific and when to be vague. The problem with too much "vague-ness" is that it leads to "whatever." That's when things go awry.

Arrive Safely

John