24
BATTERY
BATTERY OPERATION
The meter
may be operated on battery power using a USB wall adapter or USB
computer connection. If using the meter as a bench top unit, use the wall adapter
if possible to extend the battery life. The meter will remain on when the USB
adapter is used.
To charge the battery with the wall adapter, plug the smaller end of the USB cable
(USB mini B connector) into the meter and the larger end of the USB cable (USB
type A connector) into the wall adapter. Plug the wall adapter into an AC outlet.
Reinsert the rubber USB port plug after charging. To charge the battery from a
computer, plug the smaller end of the USB cable (USB mini B connector) into the
meter and the larger end of the USB cable (USB Type A connector) into a USB port
on a computer. The battery icon will show no bars and fl ash when the unit fi rst
turns on. Then the indicator will indicate the battery status by showing 0, 1, 2, 3, or
4 bars.
It will take 6 hours to fully charge a low battery. The battery icon will fl ash when the
battery is charging. The battery icon will show four bars and stop fl ashing when
it is fully charged. The charging circuit will automatically switch to a fl oat charge
when the battery is fully charged. The charger may remain connected. Some
computers will NOT supply power to their USB ports during standby operation. The
wall adapter will charge the unit continuously.
Storing the meter above ambient room temperature will decrease the battery
charge more quickly than storage at room temperature. If the meter does not
turn on, it means that the battery is at a very low charge. Charging the battery
with the wall adapter in this state may take up to 10 hours. At low temperatures,
approaching 0 °C, the battery will charge more slowly. It will not charge at all
below 0 °C. The battery icon will show no bars and continuously fl ash if the battery
is getting low but the unit will still operate normally. A “Low Battery” message
on the status bar of the display will replace the time when the battery voltage is
too low for proper operation and accuracy may be degraded. A “Shutdown Low
Batt” message on the display will appear for a few seconds before the power is
switched off when the battery is too low to operate the unit. When the battery icon
simultaneously fl ashes bars 1 and 2 followed by bars 3 and 4, it is an indication
that the battery is damaged and technical support should be contacted.
To extend the battery life:
• Shut down the unit with the power switch when not taking measurements
or use the power save option to have the unit automatically turn off after 5 minutes.
• Store the unit at a moderate temperature.
• Fully charge the battery before storing the unit for extended periods of time.
• Fully charge the battery at least once per year. Failure to do so may result in a
permanently drained battery.
• Limit backlight use. The unit consumes 3X normal power with the backlight on. Set the
backlight time option to 10 seconds, or select “Button Control” and keep the backlight
off .
