I recently picked up a 2008 SL (wireless) used. It supposedly only had about 500 miles on it when I got it, which would put me just over 1000 miles now. But I really don’t know for sure how much it was used, or anything about the batteries in the hub. I have a race this weekend and really don’t want it to crap out on me mid race. I put a new battery in the CPU, but what about the hub? Is there any kind of low level indication before it stops working? If so, will it be enough warning to get me through a HIM (say 3:00 worst case)? Are the hub batteries something standard I can pick up locally, or do I need to get them from Saris or some type of specialty store? Thoughts?
Thanks Ken. I actually already read the manual. It doesn’t mention anything (that I saw) about wether or not there is a low level indicator. So, I assume there is not - but thought it was worth double checking as it seems like that would be a reasonable and useful function. Also, the manual tells you what type of battery to use as if they are available anywhere, but then says “Replacement O rings and battery packs are available from Saris Cycling Group”. So, I ask again…
you can pick up the batteries anywhere and they are easy to change. IIRC they are 357’s. Regardless they are not an unusual size. Not sure if there is a low level for the hub, think it shows as the transmission icon blinking. When you see that you have a lot more than 3 hours. I am thinking it lasted another week or so but I am not sure.
If you are worried about it just change them. 2 batteries in the hub btw. Will be one less thing to worry about. Good luck this weekend.
Thanks Ken. I actually already read the manual. It doesn’t mention anything (that I saw) about wether or not there is a low level indicator. So, I assume there is not - but thought it was worth double checking as it seems like that would be a reasonable and useful function. Also, the manual tells you what type of battery to use as if they are available anywhere, but then says “Replacement O rings and battery packs are available from Saris Cycling Group”. So, I ask again…
On my really old PT (think “Tune”), I believe the signal indicator in the upper left starts to blink when the hub batteries are low. My hub batteries are N-types, which are not proprietary. I’m sure the batteries are available from your favorite battery vendor, and Saris will sell you the battery packs at a handsome profit. Go to www.batterybob.com and search for EPX76 (your hub batteries). I got a score of C2032s from them about 3 years ago for my computer.
Oh, you didn’t read the manual quite closely enough:
“Transmission icon flashes rapidly · Hub batteries need replacement - replace the hub batteries as shown in the maintenance
section of the User Manual.”
i found the hub battery at wal-mart. I’m sure radioshack/circuitcity/whateveritscalled has 'em too. Or the pharmacy. Battery 357 - its smaller but fatter than the one in the head unit (2032?)
The hub battery lasts a lot longer than the head unit, that said, you might want to start looking into opening it. The “wrench” the Powertap comes with is absolutely useless. I think there are some threads about it here, but my lbs ended up opening it with a really big mouth wrench. The oil filter removers that look like a large elastic band look promising, but I haven’t bothered to pick one up. Come to think, I forgot about the sale on torque wrenches at CT …