Cypres 14 Hour Issue

[tombuch 0]

We had a problem with a Tandem Cypres that illustrates a concern all jumpers should all be aware of when using an electronic type of AAD. The problem was identified on the ground just prior to boarding the plane, and there were no injuries.

A tandem rig was inspected just prior to boarding the plane at about 4:00 PM and the Cypres was found to be off. The rig had been jumped several times that day, and the Cypress is believed to have been inspected at the beginning of the jump day, and may have been checked prior to each of the previous jumps.

A follow-up investigation determined that the rig was probably put in service at about 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM the previous day for an evening jump. It was stored for the night, and then placed back in service in the morning. It is unclear who took the rig out for the first jump of the day, but it is believed the Cypres was not reset (turned off, then back on) prior to the first morning jump. A Cypres will automatically turn itself off after 14 hours. This unit may have reached the timeout point in the middle of the second day.

This problem is NOT limited to the Tandem Cypres. Every Cypres is programmed to shut off after 14 hours. Skydivers should be alert to this problem and should reset their Cypres each morning if it is still on from the previous day. This problem is most likely to be encountered by a regular “fun jumper” who arrives at the DZ on Friday evening and makes a quick jump or two, and then jumps the same rig the next day. The time-out issue is most common in the summertime when the days are longest.

The suggested remedy is for a jumper who finds his/her Cypres unit “on” in the morning to turn it off, then back on prior to jumping. This process is detailed in the Cypres User’s Guide and will reset the internal clock for a new 14 hour day. This is not a new problem, but rather is one we should refamiliarize ourselves with from time to time.

Tom Buchanan
S&TA
Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[andy2 0]

Thanks I'll remember that! Turning the cypres off at the end of the day and then turning it back on wastes more batteries than letting it shut itself off after the 14 hours expires, I've heard. But wouldn't it waste less if you knew you were going to have to "restart" it for the next morning's first jump anyways, and just going ahead and manually shutting it off after the last jump of the day. I mean, you have to turn it off/on again anyways, its just a matter of when you do it, in the morning of the next day or that evening. If you did it in the morning you would of let the damn thing sit idle on all during the night. You would obviously only do this if you were SURE you were going to be jumping the next day, otherwise you would let it auto shut itself off. Right? Am I making sense? Thanks.

---------------------------------------------
let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[tombuch 0]

Quote

Turning the cypres off at the end of the day and then turning it back on wastes more batteries than letting it shut itself off after the 14 hours expires, I've heard....Right? Am I making sense?

Yes you are making sense.

It's just a small amount of power either way. I'll offer a direct quote from page 20 of my Cypres Users Guide:

"General recommendation: If in doubt, re-set the Cypres. The battery life is designed to cope with this and will not be adversely affected."

-Tom Buchanan
Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[davelepka 4]

Your batts are replaced every two years anyway. Reset the thing twice a day, and get your $75 worth out of the two "C" cells they wire together for you.

[sducoach 0]

Good call. Standard practice for myself if in the AM the unit is still on, I shut it off and recycle. I find it interesting that many people do not know how to shut the Cypres off.

Blues,

J.E.

James 4:8

[sundevil777 102]

Quote

Thanks I'll remember that! Turning the cypres off at the end of the day and then turning it back on wastes more batteries than letting it shut itself off after the 14 hours expires, I've heard.

There was a post a while back, did a quick search but can't find it now, where a guy checked the current draw for various modes of operation. It was pretty clear that turning it off manually was an advantage over leaving it on to automatically shut off hours later (even if you don't drive home with it left on).

I think Airtec does not want you to be concerned about the difference in battery life because they don't want you to turn it off and then forget to turn it back on when you decide to make one more jump late in the day.

Like they say in the manual, you will still likely get 2 years from the batteries if your rig is staying at the DZ for the 14 hours, but definitely learn how to turn it off before driving home with your rig.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[katiebear21 0]

I think you were referring to this thread: Cypres and this: Airtec

Katie
Get your PMS glass necklace here

[nubain1 0]

.

but it is believed the Cypres was not reset (turned off, then back on) prior to the first morning jump. A Cypres will automatically turn itself off after 14 hours. This unit may have reached the timeout point in the middle of the second day.

This problem is NOT limited to the Tandem Cypres. Every Cypres is programmed to shut off after 14 hours. Skydivers should be alert to this problem and should reset their Cypres each morning if it is still on from the previous day. This problem is most likely to be encountered by a regular “fun jumper” who arrives at the DZ on Friday evening and makes a quick jump or two, and then jumps the same rig the next day. The time-out issue is most common in the summertime when the days are longest.

I had that happen to me before.I went to the dz and during gear check before bording my cypress was on,Then later on in the day on the next jump it was found to be turned off during another gear check.Turned out that I had turned it on the night before and it was still on when I got to the dz.Thankfully it was found during a gear check before getting back on the plane.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Tom, A very well written and informative article.

Et all, Not to disagree with Tom, but... However, I'm not so sure I'd refer to this behavior as an "issue"; that would seem to imply this is a "problem". Rather it is THE WAY CYPRESS WORKS. If the one reads the owners manual, that should be understood, not a surprise.