User's Manual

Batteries
The Itronix fex21 is designed for use with either a rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
battery pack or the optional 4 AA-size Alkaline cells. Both types are contained in an
appropriate battery holder for ease or removal and replacement.
You should use only these fex21 Lithium-Ion battery packs with your fex21. If you
try to use fex21 Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery packs, your fex21 will not work
correctly or the battery pack will discharge very quickly. Nor should you use the
Li-Ion battery packs with earlier fex21 units that were designed to use NiMH battery
packs; your fex21 will not work correctly. Your fex21 will not be damaged in either
case.
After you fit a new Li-Ion battery pack, you should charge your fex21 battery to
100% charge before using it. This ensures that the battery pack power calculations
will be correct. Frequent incomplete charges will lead to progressively larger errors
in the calculations, which only a full charge will remedy. Charging for 48 hours will
ensure that the backup battery is also fully charged.
The fex21 has a rechargeable backup battery to retain data for up to 48 hours if the
battery pack is removed or discharges fully. It is topped up from the main battery
pack whenever the fex21 is idle. The backup battery is not user accessible. You
should not rely on the backup battery to maintain your data, but should keep the
main battery pack correctly charged if possible. It is always safer to store important
data in non-volatile memory, such as a CompactFlash card.
Whenever you are working near an AC power outlet, use your fex21 with the AC
Adapter to conserve the battery pack. The AC Adapter will keep the battery pack
topped up and will also supply a maintenance charge to the backup battery. If you
can, charge your battery pack after each working day. Proper charging practice will
also keep the backup battery in good condition.
If the backup battery is fully discharged, it may take up to 48 hours to recharge fully
when the fex21 is next connected to a battery pack or to the AC Adapter. In
extremes of heat or cold, it may take even longer.
Note: If you do not intend to use your fex21 for long periods, you should store any
important data in non-volatile memory, such as a CompactFlash card, and remove
the battery pack. Alkaline batteries will discharge (and rechargeable batteries may
degrade) if left inside an unused fex21 for this length of time. You should then read
the “Battery storage" section of this manual.
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•
Push the CompactFlash card into the slot. As shown, the front face of the card
should be towards the underside of the fex21.
•
A pull-tag should be attached to the card, so that it can be easily removed
again. These are available from your system provider (part number
DLB7000-455).
•
Note that CompactFlash cards are keyed to the slot, so that they cannot easily
be inserted upside down.
CAUTION: Never attempt to force a CompactFlash card into the slot, as this
may damage the card and/or the fex21.
•
Replace the hatch and fit the screws, using a torque driver to tighten them to
10cNm (.88 lbf.in).
CAUTION: The CompactFlash hatch provides direct access to the interior of
the fex21. If the hatch screws are not tightened to the correct torque setting
(as detailed above), the fex21 computer will no longer be sealed to the IP65
standard.
•
Switch on your fex21 and carry out a Soft Reset. The Windows operating
system will then recognize the card.
Removing a CompactFlash card
•
Switch off the fex21, open the hatch, remove the card, and reseal the hatch as
detailed above.
•
Finally, switch on your fex21 and carry out a Soft Reset.
NOTE: A Soft Reset is needed when one CompactFlash card is exchanged for
another.
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