How to Extend the Life of Your Sonde Transmitter - 3 Easy Steps

Transmitter battery compartment preventive maintenance

The oxidation in the battery compartment is one of the popular causes of the sonde’s failure. While it may not be a very serious issue, it can eventually lead to a loss of contact between the battery inside the sonde’s body and the electronic compartment. At this stage, oxidation can only be prevented by a complete dismantling of the sonde.

To prevent failure, ensure you adhere to these 3 easy steps;

• Monitor
• Clean
• Lubricate

Cause of oxidation

When there is slight to no contact of the cap to the body, then drilling fluid will eventually find its way into the compartment and ultimately block all possible gaps while prompting electrical corrosion of the spring and the slight or complete loss of contact between the battery and the sonde. For instance, on a 100mA consumption current and a 4 Ohm parasitic resistance, a total of 0.4V will be lost in the contacts. Conversely, if you have new batteries rated 3.2V, the contacts will subsequently permit only a 2.8V to the sonde electronic. However, electronics require constant power from batteries, leading to an increase in current demand, which will further cause the parasitic drop in constant voltage to increase. Generally, your battery will almost certainly operate at 30% less capacity – we describe this condition by asserting that the sonde is “eating” the batteries.

Drilling fluid in the battery compartment

If or when any fluids or dirt get inside a battery compartment, make sure compartment is cleaned and serviced right away. Pay close attention to cleaning the thread, the inner-body and the spring using the paper napkin or cloth, dry or impregnated with commercial alcohol. On a job site or in field conditions you may default to using the dry cloth and the cane which fits inside the body like a swiss file or a screwdriver. in ideal conditions and proper maintenance, the inner surface of the battery compartment should be shiny and free from any dirt.

Always check the seal ring

Before any operation, always check cap seal ring for any damage. Seal ring can be damaged or worn out, which can lead to the improperly sealed battery compartment. If a seal ring is lost or broken, it must be replaced before any further work with the transmitter.

A simple way to extend the life of a seal ring is to use some kind of lubricant or grease, such as white petrolatum(vaseline) or any similar product.

In case the seal ring is broken or lost — use instead an adhesive PVC tape. Wrap 3-4 layers of tape around the area of the seal ring. Using a screwdriver, install the battery cap with PVC tape. Screw the cap tightly and remove remaining tape.

We always recommend keeping a spare of seal rings with your transmitter. You may purchase spare seal rings on the site or any hardware store.

• Inner diameter is 24 mm and cross section — 2.5 mm

Check the thread of the cap

Maintain a clean thread of the battery compartment and the cap. Dirty thread can lead to possible  incomplete contact between the cap and the sonde. If you see signs of oxidation, it is most likely signs of parasitic transition resistance. Dirt and oxidation of the thread can prevent proper seal of battery compartment and further damage from fluids.

Always follow maintenance and cleaning procedure if you notice any signs of dirt or oxidation. The thread can be cleaned with a sharp tool but be careful not to damage the thread while cleaning. After cleaning is complete, wipe the thread with a cloth and alcohol. For additional protection apply a conductive lubricant or Vaseline.

Compression

Applied pressure or compression can lead to stuck cap or batteries inside the transmitter compartment. If you are unable to remove the cap or batteries, it is possible there is deformation of the body and any of the following issues: latent faults, damages to the electronic unit components, including the damage to the ferrite antenna. In this case, it is recommended for the transmitter to be inspected or repaired by our repair center.

Extend the Life of Your Transmitter

Follow our easy maintenance and preventative steps to extend the life of your transmitter. Always check the cap seal ring and replace right away if any damage found. Clean and maintain the thread and battery compartment on regular bases. If fluids still manage to get inside your transmitter, follow our steps and recommendations before putting the transmitter back to work. We hope that our guide will help you extend life and performance of your transmitter.