VV console batteries - draining with mains power??

[DanielF]

This is not a Cumulus question, but just hoping to tap the knowledge of other Vantage Vue owners...

I've had my Vantage Vue for less than 12 months, with the console running on the plug-pack all that time. But recently the console started indicating 'console low battery', and Cumulus showed about 3V. I've just replaced the batteries, and found one was leaking!

So my question is, why have the dry-cells drained in such a short time when the console is running on mains power? I would expect zero drain when on mains. I checked the plug-pack output (at the plug that goes into the console), and it's a healthy 5V.

Have I got a dud unit, or just a dud battery?

[I don't think it's relevant, but I have the serial (RS-232) data logger installed in the console.]

[duke]

I would simply replace with good quality alkaline or lithium batteries and see how long they last. Remember, batteries degrade even when not in use. Lithium, will give you the longest shelf life when unused.

[tomcatuk]

I've got the same battery's in my console that came with it, that was about November 2009, also running off the power supply like yourself....

[AllyCat]

Have I got a dud unit, or just a dud battery?

Hi Daniel,

I'm not a Davis user but would suspect a bad battery, since it's unusual for a good quality battery to leak these days, even if moderately abused.

But was it a good quality battery? What was the technology (Lithium, Alkaline or one of the cheap zinc/carbon "Heavy Duty" or similar types) and where did it come from? What was the brand (if a "good" one, are you sure it wasn't a fake) and is there any sign of a date code on it?

Cheers, Alan.

[BCJKiwi]

Daniel,
From the manual, page 3 Chapter 2.
The batteries should power the console for up to 9 months (without the mains adapter).

The datalogger will shorten the life but not by much. Davis are renowned for the low power draw on their gear and the console only draws a few mA unless you have the light on! - but the battery should not be doing any work if the mains adapter is functioning.

The manual specifically warns AGAINST using rechargeables as the mains adaptor does not charge the batteries and rechargeables don't store as much charge in the equivalent size.
Also you should use a battery type that has low self drain and long life with low current load. Check any of the major battery manufacturer's websites (or Wikipedia) to get an understanding of the best type to use. The batteries should not be doing any work unless the adapter is not delivering power so a battery type with the lowest self drain is the best.

If your batteries are leaking, you definitely have bad/poor quality batteries as any reasonable battery sold today should not leak under virtually any circumstances of normal use even when flat.

So if your console is less than 12 months old it sounds as if your mains adapter has not been delivering power to the console and the batteries have been doing the work and have run down. 3V for 3 C cells = flat (depending on the actual battery type).

Easy way to check if the mains adapter is really doing its job is to try running the console without the batteries installed.
If you have a multimeter and are comfortable removing the back from the console, then check the actual voltage at the mains adapter 5V connector inside the console while it is on - what is the actual voltage with the console running?
If it seems low then either the adapter is unable to deliver the power required which may indicate a fault either in the adapter or the console.

I have a set of alkalines in my console and they are still virtually fully charged at 4.66V after ~ 9 months.