Exchange batteries on the Signature instruments

Overview

This article describes the procedure for connecting, installing, or replacing the internal battery pack on Signature instruments.

These instructions apply to:

  • Signature 1000
  • Signature 500
  • Signature 250
  • Signature 100
  • Signature 55

The procedure is the same whether you are installing the battery pack in a new instrument or replacing the battery pack after a deployment.

Note: Signature instruments are shipped with the battery disconnected, so you will need to follow this procedure before your first deployment.

Several internal battery pack configurations are available and can be found on the Product page of the instruments.

 

Procedure

1. Remove the end bell

  1. Disconnect all external cables from the instrument.
  2. Place the instrument vertically with the end bell facing upward.
  3. Remove the four end bell bolts using the provided Hex screwdriver (Fig. 1).
  4. Before lifting the end bell, note its orientation relative to the housing. For example, use the X-axis marking as an alignment reference for the end bell connectors to ensure it is reinstalled in the same position. This helps prevent strain on the harness when reinstalling the end bell.
  5. Insert the supplied lifting tools into the notches on each side of the housing (Fig. 2). Twist the tools in opposite directions in order to lift the end bell, then carefully separate it from the rest of the instrument (Fig. 3).

Important: Be careful when removing the end bell as to not damage the harness cable.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

 

2. Remove, replace and connect the battery pack

  1. Disconnect the harness cable from the end bell. Having a second person support the end bell while disconnecting the cables can make this step easier.
  2. Set the end bell aside on a clean surface. Take care not to damage the O-rings or the mating surfaces.
  3. If relevant, remove the existing battery pack if it is being replaced.
  4. Carefully slide the new battery pack into the housing

Signature 1000

Make sure to thread the harness cable through the central opening of the battery pack (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4

Signature 500, 250, 100 and 55

If using one battery pack: Orient the battery pack so that its cable faces the end bell and lower the battery pack vertically into place. Be careful not to twist or damage the padding attached to the battery pack (Fig. 5).

If using two battery packs:  First connect the battery packs together using their respective 2-pins connectors so that they are connected in parallel and stack them on top of each other (Fig. 6). While holding the battery cable neatly against the canister wall, lower the battery stack vertically into place. Make sure that the free battery connector faces the end bell. Be careful not to twist or damage the padding attached to the battery packs.

Reinstall the foam padding to prevent the battery pack from moving inside the canister and pass the harness cable through its opening  (Fig. 7).

Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

 

Note: If using the Lithium battery pack, you need to remove the battery guide rail (Fig. 8) in order to be able to fit the battery in the housing. Check the article about battery guide rail removal for the procedure to follow : Remove the guide rail harness from the Signature battery housing

3. Inspect the O-rings and sealing surfaces

  1. Carefully inspect all O-rings, the O-ring grooves and their corresponding mating surfaces in the battery housing. Look for any dirt, grit, sand, hair, lint, cuts, tears or any other damage or contamination that could compromise the O-ring seal  (Fig. 8).
  2. Ensure every O-ring is correctly seated in its groove.

For detailed maintenance instructions about the O-rings, refer to the O-ring care article. If any O-ring or mating surface is contaminated or damaged, follow the maintenance procedure described in that article before reassembling the instrument.

Important: Proper maintenance of the O-rings and sealing surfaces is essential to prevent water ingress and potential instrument damage.

Fig. 8

4. Reconnect the internal cables

Reconnect all internal connections:

  1. Connect the harness cable to the end bell.
  2. Connect the battery harness (female) to the two 2-pin connectors (male) of the battery.
  3. Verify that the green/yellow grounding cable is securely fastened to the end bell (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9

5. Check the desiccant bag

Inspect the desiccant bag inside the instrument. If it is missing, expired or fully saturated, replace it with a new desiccant bag. (Fig. 10)

Important: Always install a desiccant bag before closing the instrument, as moisture trapped inside the housing may condense during operation and damage internal electronics.

Fig. 10

 

6. Reinstall the end bell

Carefully position the end bell onto the housing. Before fully seating it, verify that the end bell is oriented correctly and ensure that no cables are trapped or pinched between the housing and the end bell. (Fig. 11)

Fig. 11

 

7. Tighten the bolts

Install back the four bolts together with their washers and lock washers in the correct order (Fig. 12). First lightly tighten all four screws in a cross pattern before applying the final tightening torque. 

For the recommended tightening sequence and torque specifications, refer to the Securing screws article

Fig. 12

 

8. Functional checks

Check the instrument LED. It should remain on for 5 minutes after a functional battery pack is connected. Verify the instrument's operation by collecting data without using an external power source to ensure that the battery pack is properly connected. After testing, stop data collection to allow the instrument to power down.

 

Important Notes

Compass calibration

After replacing or reconnecting the battery pack, perform a new compass calibration in its final deployment configuration. You can find the procedure to follow in the Compass calibration article of the support center

Changing the battery changes the magnetic environment inside the instrument, which can affect compass accuracy.

Battery storage and disposal

For further information about proper storage of batteries, please read the Power supply article of the support center. As lithium batteries pose a fire and explosion hazard, please refer to the relevant product safety sheets for handling guidelines. 

After replacing a battery pack, check and follow local regulations about proper disposal of batteries.

Updated