Neptune Error

[kraftykick 0]

I have contacted Alti-2 but, does anyone know why my neptune has " DATA WRITE ERROR" displayed on the screen?

[AggieDave 6]

When did this error happen? Did it happen when you were updating the firmware or just while it was being used?

Have you done the SOP of removing the battery, discharging the unit and then inserting a new battery?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[kraftykick 0]

No I have not. I am waiting on a reply from Alti.
The unit was not in use at the time.
The unit travelled from the States to the Middle East in a suitcase by plane. The unit was not used for two months.The unit travelled fron the Middle East to the states.While unpacking I turned the unit on to test the battery and recievet the error.

[AggieDave 6]

Then by all means, remove the battery and replace. Also check the battery you remove for any leakage or corrosion.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[kraftykick 0]

Here is the reply fron Alti, I will replace the battery and see what happens.
Chris:

Apologies for the inconvenience, this issue has been resolved in the latest release software (2.3.1)

Please let me know if you have any trouble upgrading.


Roger F. Allen
President

[kraftykick 0]

Changed the battery and all is right in the world again! Thanks.

[AggieDave 6]

Right on. Alti-2 rocks with their customer service.

As a rule of thumb for future reference, though, if you experience an odd problem with a neptune replacing the battery takes care of a lot of things.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[pilotdave 0]

Make sure you do get that latest software update installed even though it's working fine as it is. The update, among other fixes, greatly improves the accuracy of the battery indicator.

Dave

[dragon2 2]

Quote

Make sure you do get that latest software update installed even though it's working fine as it is. The update, among other fixes, greatly improves the accuracy of the battery indicator.

Dave

Yeah.... All 6 of the neptunes I updated last weekend immediately showed empty batteries I need to go buy a bunch of them.... Of course the weather here now is very cold which doesn't help with the batteries at all

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[kaba 0]

the update process probably drains the battery extremely.

if you read the neptune updater instructions carefully you will realize that alti-2 wants you to use a new battery for the update process AND another new one for normal usage after the update.

also keep in mind that v2.31 has a more accurate battery monitor eventually displaying "low voltage" where older firmware revisions still showed "battery full".

by the way:
my neptune v2.2b did 54 jumps, failing during freefall on jump 4 and 51, it got stuck displaying 0,5 km on jump 4 under canopy and 1,2 km on jump 51 during freefall.

both jumps were not logged, a reset recovered functionality of the unit. the battery monitor showed 100% all the time, now after the update it shows 0%.

another neptune v2.2b with new battery (jump 5) failed nearly the same way on the same load as my neptune jump 51 (stuck display under canopy, self reset)

i will test my updated neptune with a new recommended battery and record any further failure.

i use my neptune as an audible altimeter with swoop alerts disabled.

for the problems mentioned above i do not recommend a neptune as solely altimeter.

until then i recommend a second audible altimeter like timeout or dytter AND allways an additional mechanical altimeter like the altimaster or barigo preferably mounted to your rig.

kaba

[pilotdave 0]

If there's an alti-2 field service member at your DZ, they have spare batteries just for doing software updates. Might as well let alti-2 pay for your updates if you can, right?

Dave

[freeasabird 0]

I had a few jumps with literally unbelievable readings. Exclusive headdown jump from 13k. Speed at 12k was 140mph-ish...OK. Speed at 9k was like 60mph (still in stable HD).... Speed at 6k was, no shit, 570mph!!..... And finally, speed at 3k was -16mph!!! (forgot to mention I had my rocket pack on)....

Got a couple of more goofy readings from my Neptune after that so I decided to replace the battery. That seemed to fix it! No more incredible readings since!!

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[kaba 0]

sorry pilotdave,
wrong answer.

i don´t want batteries for free, but a reliable altimeter.

the update worked quite fine, and even with low battery voltage an altimeter should do simply what it´s name says: altitude measurement.

by the way, i do not want any so called service person fumble around with my neptune for there are no serviceable parts than the battery, which i can handle myself.

kaba

[katzurki 0]

Quote

by the way, i do not want any so called service person fumble around with my neptune for there are no serviceable parts than the battery, which i can handle myself.

Battery, battery lid, the screws, the rubber O-ring, possible helmet clips, possible plate strap screws, software update. Check whichever you can service with no help from a "so called service person".

[pilotdave 0]

Well, suit yourself. The neptune can do weird things when the voltage gets low. But that won't happen without warning very often if you use the latest software, use another battery to do updates, use the recommended battery brands, and handle the battery properly.

And the "so called service people" have a supply of spare parts (other than batteries), like katzurki said, all available for free, and diagnostic software to help solve any problems you're having with your neptune. They MIGHT just know something you don't.

You also might want to call alti-2. If your neptune, using the correct batteries, is only lasting ~50 jumps, there's something wrong and I'm sure they'd take care of it for you.

Dave

[ianmdrennan 2]

Quote

sorry pilotdave,
wrong answer.

i don´t want batteries for free, but a reliable altimeter.

It's as reliable as you allow it to be. If your car runs outta gas does that make it a unreliable car, or a poor owner?

If your product isn't working correctly, Alti-2 will gladly replace it (least that's been every experience I and everyone I know has had with them). Of course that means you have to let them know it's faulty.

Blues,
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team

[kaba 0]

hi at all,
i did not say that my neptune is faulty at all or that i use poor batteries intentionally.

i said i updated my neptune to v2.31 after problems under v2.2 and will test it now with the new software.

i use a fresh and recommended battery as described by alti-2 and made anyone of you aware of the fact that alti-2 informs you about that matter during the update process.

and please, read the neptune manual:
on the bottom of any page it says:

An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.

to make it clear: i love my neptune, but i do recommend always and ever any kind of backup altimeter to have positive redundancy.

i do develop and service electronic equipment for about 20 years now and do electronic repairs at my DZ.

lithium battery technology and its problems are common sense to me. anything battery driven in my household is equipped with used cypres cells if possible
therefore i extremly appreciate the fact, that the neptune does not use two li-cells in series as the pro-dytter does. and that the bigger 2450 battery is not that sensitive to temporarily increased storage temperature which might shorten the battery life.

and sure, if the "get stuck"- issue continues, i will send my neptune to alti-2 for repair.

but until then, given the fact, that probably the improved power managment of v2.31 fixes the mentioned problem i followed alti-2´s officially released advice to update the software and replace the battery.

so until now i think there is no need to contact any field service.

and the mentioned spare parts are all of mechanical nature having nothing to do with software or battery problems.
if you lose the battery lid you really should not skydive
if you lose one of the screws, americans are lucky, the thread is standard there, europeans have to dismantle an old notebook hard disk for example the o-ring, uiuiuih, there you might be right

CU

kaba

• Quote

[marks 0]

i had a problem with my batteries being eaten up. handed my neptune to lara, she took the battery out and ohms tested accross the two contacts inside the unutit and said "yep there is a problem" "what color new one would you like?"

[achowe 0]

Loads of guys at my DZ bought Neptunes. Most of them broke and had to be replaced.

Even the screen shattered on one them on the walk out to the aircraft.

Reliable?

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