Dynatech iTronix XC 6 Series Service manual
Technical
Bulletin
801 South Stevens • P.O. Box 179 • Spokane, WA 99210 • 509.624.6600 • 800.441.1309
97-0053-001 10/99
X-C 6XXX Series Computers
Practical Battery Tips
TOP 7 Battery Tips
1Dont restrict airflow around the computer while charging.
2Charge the computer dail at room temperature with the displa tilted open.
3To conserve power, FN+OFF when not using the computer.
4Allow the computer to suspend while on external power (This is selected in the SCU set up utilit ).
5Detach peripherals when not in use (PCMCIA cards, flopp drives, CD-ROM drives, etc.).
6Avoid exposing the computer to extreme hot and cold when possible.
7Use external power whenever possible.
CHA GING THE BATTE Y
Connect power to the charge adapter (vehicle cradle, automobile adapter or AC power suppl )
Confirm that the computer charge indicator begins to flash
FINISHED CHA GING
Under normal circumstances, our batter is finished charging when the external power indicator light stops blinking and
remains solid
Note To prevent possible damage to the batter , the s stem ma not allow a charge if the batter temperature is above 50°C
(122°F), such as in a closed, unattended vehicle during the summer. In this case, our batter ma not be full
charged.
If ou charge our batter ever night, it is finished charging when Batter Status shows a full gas gauge even though
the external power indicator light ma still be blinking
Note If our batter is new, or if ou have not used it for a week or more, then the gas gauge ma be inaccurate because the
batter naturall discharges over time. In this case, wait until the external power indicator light stops blinking and
remains solid (this could take up to three hours).
DEEP CYCLE DISCHA GING THE BATTE Y
If our batter is new or has not been used for several weeks, deep c cle discharge the batter to condition it. Deep c cle
discharging our batter up to two times in succession ma increase its capacit . You ma want to do this over consecutive
weekends since the batteries deep c cle process can t picall take 24 hrs to 40 hours depending on environment and condi-
tion. After this initial conditioning, maintain batter capacit b deep c cling at recommended intervals. The NiMH batteries
should onl be deep c cle discharged when the batter status program prompts the user to do so. If a learning event occurs
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(batter has had a full discharge) there is no need to deep c cle, and no prompt will be given.
Disconnect all peripherals and exit from all programs except Battery Status and Battery Maintenance
Select Start Deep Cycle from the Batter Maintenance application (located in Mobile Computer Tools director )
Battery Maintenance will displa a window advising of the time required to complete the deep c cle process, select OK to
continue
The deep c cle process will displa a Deep Cycle Complete message when deep c cle is finished
Batter Maintenance will then conduct a test of the batter pack
After the s stem checks the batter pack, select Deep Cycle History from the View pull down menu
Confirm that the batter pack capacit is rated to at least its measured capacit or there is an improvement from the
previous deep c cle
Note More than one deep c cle ma be required to condition the pack.
For best results, deep c cle the batter in a location with a moderate temperature at or near 20°C (68°F)
Note A Batter Pack that measure less than 70% of its rated capacit , or has a noticeabl degraded performance should be
should be removed from service and disposed of properl .
IN WA M CONDITIONS
When using a batter in warm conditions, batter capacit will drain quicker
Note In general, as the temperature rises, the batter will exhibit (or produce) 20% less capacit at 40°C (104°F) and 50%
less capacit at 50°C (122°F).
To prevent possible damage to the batter , the s stem will not allow a charge if the batter temperature is above 50°C
(122°F), such as in a closed, unattended vehicle during the summer
The batter wont accept a full charge if charged at higher temperatures because heat slows down the batter s chemical
reactions. Also, if the batter becomes too hot while charging, the charge mode automaticall switches from Fast Charge to
Slow Charge. Slow charge takes much longer to finish charging the batter .
IN COLD CONDITIONS
In general, as the temperature falls, the batter will exhibit (or produce) 30% less capacit at 4°C (39°F) and 70% less
capacit at -11°C (12°F)
To prevent possible damage to the batter , the s stem will not allow a charge if the batter temperature is below 5°C
(41°F), such as in a closed, unattended vehicle during the winter
The batter wont accept a full charge if charged at lower temperatures because colder temperatures slow down the
batter s chemical reactions
P EVENTING DATA LOSS
You can lose data if ou remove the batter while the computer is operating
Note To avoid unecessar data loss while operating, suspend the unit b pressing FN+OFF before removing the batter .
You can also lose data if the batter is removed for more than 5 minutes while the computer is suspended
Note Reinstall the batter as quickl as possible to avoid unecessar data loss.The computer is equipped with enough
internal backup power to maintain memor contents for about 5 minutes each time ou exchange batteries. Be
careful not to exceed this 5 minute limit when ou replace the batter .
If ou plan to store our computer for less than 30 da s, the batter pack must be full charged prior to storage to sustain
the memor
If ou plan to store our computer for more than 30 da s, exit Windows to save data to the hard disk, and then press
FN+OFF to suspend the computer, and remove the batter pack
Note Alwa s remove the batter before storing the computer for periods longer than 30 da s.
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CONSE VING POWE
FN+OFF when ou need to leave the s stem but plan to resume working later
Turn off the backlight when ou do not need it on a monochrome unit
Lower the brightness setting on a color unit
Use the AC adapter, vehicle cradle or vehicle adapter whenever possible
Avoid exposing batteries to extreme hot or cold temperatures for long periods
Store the batter within the recommended temperature range: 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F)
USING THE EXTE NAL BATTE Y CHA GE
Timed Charging C cle for NiMH on External Batter Charger
3500 mAH Timed Charging C cle 3 to 3-1/2 hours (Green LED changes from Blinking to On)
4500 mAH Timed Charging C cle 3-1/2 to 4 hours (Green LED changes from Blinking to On)
It is strongl suggested that both t pes of batter packs be used until the reach approximate 25% Gas Gauge Readings (or
when prompted b low batter voltage warning)
This will ensure that upon completion of the TIMED charging c cle (listed above), the batteries will be charged to
approximatel 80-100% levels.
IF YOU NEED TO ETU N BATTE IES FO SE VICE
When shipping batteries, use non-static packing material to reduce the possibilit of static discharge that ma damage the
batter . Placing the batter in a non-static bag is ideal; however, wrapping the batter in paper or newspaper is also
acceptable
Contact our supervisor or our organizations help desk for correct shipping procedures and information
FO MO E INFO MATION
Batter Status and Batter Maintenance provide batter -troubleshooting information. From the Help menu for each applica-
tion, choose Contents (or Help Topics), and then choose Troubleshooting, followed b Common Solutions to Common
Problems
Online Help also provides batter -troubleshooting information
Contact our organizations help desk for additional information
IMPO TANT It is difficult to quantif the amount of decrease in charge acceptance when batteries are operated in hot or
cold temperatures. Batter characteristics will change depending on the current drawn, and individual batteries ma operate
differentl .
CAUTION DO NOT leave the batter pack in the charger for more than 4 hours, (even if the Green LED is still blinking) or
more than 10 minutes past Charge Complete status as indicated b the Green LED changing from Blinking to constant
ON
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