SCHOEPS VMS 5 U - Manual (Page 5)

5
When the unit is first turned on, there
will be a four- to five-second delay
before it is ready for use. This is neces-
sary so that the unit can function reli-
ably even with relatively low-powered
AC supplies.
Watch the battery level with special
care when using rechargeable batteries;
as they lose their charge, their voltage
will often drop off quite rapidly.
What happens if …
… a battery is inserted the wrong
way? The resulting voltage will be too
low to operate the unit. If several bat-
teries (cells) are put in backwards, an
internal fuse may burn out and need
replacing. An emergency replacement
is provided within the unit. Both fuses
(designated “2A F”) are accessible
within the battery compartment by
using a pair of regular pliers; see the
diagram on the lid of the battery com-
partment.
We recommend using alkaline bat-
teries because they have the greatest
capacity and the longest shelf life.
Zinc-carbon batteries and rechargeable
batteries (NiCd or NiMH) will not power
the unit for as long a time (see “Speci -
fications” at the end of this manual).
We strongly advise against mixing
different types of batteries or batteries
of differing “ages” together. Recharge -
ables should all be of the same type
and capacity as one another; all batter-
ies should be changed and/or charged
together as a set. This is to avoid the
risk of one or more cells (those of
lower capacity) being too deeply dis-
charged; even “sealed” alkaline cells
can leak corrosive chemicals, while
rechargeable bat teries can undergo
voltage reversal and be permanently
damaged. Further, operation time
would be reduced unnecessarily.
Though it may seem obvious that
only new batteries in good condition
should be used, we are obliged to
warn against the use of weak or dam-
aged batteries, to avoid harming the
circuitry of the VMS 5 U.
What should be done if the unit
does not work with a new set of
batteries? Turn the unit off, then wait
half a second and turn it back on.
If the “LOW BAT.” LED lights briefly
but then goes out, the batteries are
simply too weak; the charge is enough
to turn the unit on initially, but then
an automatic shutoff takes effect.
Please note: If the unit is not used
for a prolonged period, the batteries
should be removed to prevent possible
damage by leaking.
2. Battery level meter /
LOW BAT
Powering with internal batteries /
rechargeables
The battery level meter (<12> in the
photo on page 3) shows the state of
the internal batteries. At the start of a
recording the needle should always be
in the green zone of the meter. If it is