[Doug]

ECoS 50000
The ECoS does not contain any circuitry for re-charging batteries. Use alkaline batteries or re-chargeable batteries charged with an external charger.

ECoS 50200
The ECoS 2 does recharge the batteries. Don't use alkaline batteries. Only use suitable re-chargeable batteries (NiMh or NiCD).

4 LR3/AAA size NiMh batteries are supplied (black batteries below).

Personally, I like the Duracell batteries as they are very reliable (there is one in the photo above). I'll use 4 of these in the ECoS.

Translated from the German manual:

Insert the batteries
We recommend that your ECoS always used with a charged set of batteries. This is to ensure that in the case a power failure, the ECoS has enough time to properly save all data settings and then shut down properly.

This "Emergency power supply" is to cover any interruption of power which could otherwise lead to a loss of data.

When the ECoS is switched of, the batteries can be removed as the data is stored in Flash memory.

During normal operation, the batteries are automatically recharged.

If the ECoS is unused for extended periods, the re-chargeable batteries could discharge. In this situation, the ECoS should be left on for at least 4 hours to fully recharge the batteries.

The battery compartment is located on the underside of the ECoS.
• Remove the battery cover by pressing the clip in the direction of arrow.
• Insert the four batteries. Make sure of the correct polarity. The polarity ( "+" and "-") is printed in the battery compartment.
• Replace the battery cover.
• Use only high quality re-chargeable batteries. The contact surface of the negative pole of the battery must protrude through the casing of the battery!
• Remove the batteries from the ECoS only when switched off and unplugged from the mains.
• Remove batteries if the ECoS will be stored for an extended period (e.g. when you go on holiday) to avoid any leakage.
• Never attempt to use normal alkaline batteries in the ECoS! The charging circuitry cannot detect alkaline batteries. Inserting the wrong type of battery will lead to damage and may cause fire or explosion!

 

[zmil]

A good bit of advice , I hope every body that has the New ECoS takes it on board

Imagine if the Alkaline batteries leaked or worse became hot enough to melt the battery compartment and cause a damage to the unit -not covered by warranty.

a lot of $$$ down the drain (or up in smoke)

Regards

Zmil

 

[Brian Considine]

Thanks for the heads up Doug.

Bearing in mind the total cost of the unit & the ease of fitting the wrong batteries & consequences you would have thought that for the cost of a few euro's they would have fitted a battery similar to those fitted to mobile phones & digicams.

 

[GoingUnderground]

Doug,

Having seem Zmil's and Brian's comments, I think you might want to edit your posting to make it clear that the colour ECoS is supplied with a set of 4 rechargeable batteries included as standard. If the ones that ESU have provided are installed as directed there should be no problems. There is no need for users to provide their own batteries.

This section is only relevant if you choose not to use the batteries supplied with the colour ECoS. Or if after several years the rechargeables stop holding the charge and you need to replace them.

Being a standard size (AAA) there should be no problem replacing the batteries if and when the need arises, unlike the proprietry shapes and sizes fitted to many mobile phones and digicams which can sometimes be hard and expensive to find.

 

[Doug]

I've updated the info and put in a little photo. I didn't see what type of batteries were used in the manual, but it is obvious that four LR3/AAA 1.2V rechargeable batteries are needed.

I have bought quite a few of these batteries over the last few months. Half the kids toys use them. I have a really nice charger that gives a readout per cell of how it's doing (obviously not needed for the ECoS as it charges the batteries itself). I've thrown away a few of these no-name brand batteries that come with gadgets bought in the far east. I find them junk at best in terms of capacity and ability to function over time. The Duracell ones are great.

 

[john g]

hi all,

doug

you can't use standard ( AAA ) they're 1.5 volts which would damage some components inside. as only nimh is only 1.2 volts.

bye the way doug, good luck with your unit, i'm planning on getting one about the summer time. nice pic's also

john

 

[Doug]

Yes, that's what I said. I was referring to rechargeable ones in my previous post. I don't ever buy alkaline batteries these days, only rechargeable ones (AA and AAA), but even then there are some duds that you have to get rid of.

 

[boxbrownie]

Quick question, I just bought a used 50200 (actually unused in packaging) and the batteries supplied still wrapped in cellophane are dead, really dead.....not even my Maha charger will bring them back, so I have installed a set of new Enaloop NiMh cells, upon turning on the little battery symbol shows a cross over the battery symbol, just wondered how long it takes before the cross goes out or if there is an issue with the unit?

 

[boxbrownie]

All sorted, I guess the ECoS in built charger circuitry is just very slow, which makes sense it only needs to trickle the batteries while on.

Fully charged the batteries out of the ECoS and reinserted and the battery symbol has now disappeared.