VR

The bulkhead I/O connector port is watertight and any water that gets in to the port cannot harm your VR3. However, should sea water get inside the port or the ends of your linking cable, flush them with fresh water as soon as possible afterwards then leave them to dry completely BEFORE refitting the cap.

If the reading from a 4th cell cable becomes erratic, a solution may be to put a SMALL amount of grease on the metal end of the cable end that slides into the VR3/VR2 bulkhead I/O connector to lubricate the inner O ring of the bulkhead connector. This will serve to improve the seal and make the connection more reliable.

If corrosion does appear on the contacts rinse them briefly in white vinegar and use a fine toothbrush to remove the build-up. Rinse and dry before replacing the cap.

Remember, the cleanliness of the contacts is essential to the integrity of the link.

Look after your cable and it will look after you.

Battery Cap Maintenance

Clean and re-grease the O-rings and O-ring grooves every 10 dives.

If you get a power problem, check the spring and cap for any build up of corrosion.

If corrosion is present, pull the spring out of the cap, soak the spring and cap in white vinegar, remove any residual build up with a fine toothbrush, rinse and dry.

Switch Maintenance

If the switch sticks, rotate it first in its groove to loosen it up.

If that does not work, hold the switch in and, with a small flat head screwdriver, carefully ease out the silver circlips holding it in from the small groove on the back of the VR3. The spring and switch will then come out easily.

Soak switch and spring in white vinegar, rinse with fresh water and dry off. Flush the switch groove with fresh water, spray A LITTLE light engineering oil (WD 40 or similar) inside the hole.

Put the spring and switch back in, push it in and out a few times and it should now move freely. If so, replace the circlips while holding the switch completely in. Push the circlips down firmly making sure you put it in as flat to the body as possible.

Problem Solving

If your VR3 won't turn on or seems to be consuming battery power at a high rate, we recommend you carry out the following checks before calling us or returning the unit. This will help us analyse the problem and may prevent you returning the computer unnecessarily.

Test the Battery and Battery Compartment

1. Change the battery for a new 1.6V alkaline or 3.6V lithium battery.

2. Remove the battery cap. Pull out the spring from the cap and inspect the base of the spring and the inside of the cap for corrosion. Clean using white vinegar. Rinse then dry.

3. Check the positive contact, a small metallic disc, at the bottom of the battery compartment. If the contact is visible but dirty and corroded then use a small screwdriver to scratch the corrosion off. . If it can't be seen then it may be that the contact carrier is facing the wrong way and the VR computer must be returned to us.

Warning: NEVER POUR CLEANING FLUID INTO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT.

Test the Switches

1. With a new battery installed, push either switch in to see if the computer will turn on.

2. If it does not turn on, push and hold the left switch in and remove the circlip from the rear of the switch carrier with a sharp tool.

3. Try a new switch. If it now turns on, try the same procedure with the right switch.

4. If a switch is 'sticky' remove it as in 2 (above) and flush out the switch compartment to remove any debris. Replace the switch and test it. If it still sticks, remove it again and very slightly unwind the switch spring a 1/4 turn. Try it again.

(Note: VR3s manufactured before June 2003, (those without the visible circlips), need to be returned to the factory for switch replacement.)

Check the Display

1. Check the display for signs of water damage. If condensation is visible the unit must be returned to the factory for a health check.

Check the Readings

1. If the unit will now turn on, check the readings on the start up screen. If the temperature reads far higher or lower than it should and the altitude reads in the thousands of feet or metres when you are at or close to sea level, then the unit must be returned to the factory.