UNIKON ETS -
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:33 am
UNIKON Battery FAQs
Loft Clock and Pocket Clock
What we do during a battery service.
• Replace the batteries with new UNIKON approved batteries.
• If possible we have backed up your flyers’ details and restored your information to your Clock.
• Undergone satisfactory 24 hour operational tests of the base and/or Pocket Clock.
• Checked and rectified any circuit issues that could cause premature battery failure.
• Replaced seals with genuine UNIKON seals.
Free complementary work done also includes:-
• Check and if required adjust the internal clock(s) to ensure they are working within tolerance.
• Check the LCD display performance and if necessary adjust the contrast.
• Check the function of all keys on the keyboard.
• Check the electrical connectors for physical wear/damage.
• Replace any missing feet on the Loft Clock.
• Clean the screen, case, keyboard and internals (within practical limits)* With respect to the health
of our employees we will not handle any product that is covered in pigeon droppings.
Overview
UNIKON loft systems have a battery in both the Loft Clock and Pocket Clock. The main purpose of the
batteries is to maintain the time when there is no other power. The Pocket Clock needs a battery to
maintain the time when it is not in the base.
Checking the battery status
Your UNIKON Loft Clock monitors the battery level and will report when the batteries are low. It is
important that you always check for the “Battery OK” message when you switch on UNIKON.
What is the life expectancy of the batteries within UNIKON?
Our experience shows that the battery life of the Loft Clock is typically greater than 5 years, with the
Pocket Clock battery typically lasting longer than the Loft Clock battery. Please have in mind that the
Pocket Clock has a more critical role since it is the Pocket Clock that holds races and it is the Pocket
Clock time which is used for races. Should you decide to ignore the battery low warnings then there is
the risk that any races will be void or even completely lost when the Pocket Clock battery fails.
Do I need to return both the Loft Clock and Pocket Clock at the same time?
If you are not seeing a Pocket Clock low battery message then you do not have to return it. However,
due to the critical role of the Pocket Clock we recommend that the Pocket Clock battery is replaced at
the same time as the Loft Clock battery as a preventive measure to avoid a Pocket Clock battery low
situation which may prevent racing.
Why can’t UNIKON be more specific on how long a battery will last?
Many factors affect battery life. Small variations between products and even the batteries themselves
have an effect on the battery life. The environment of the product during its life, particularly exposure
to wide temperature extremes will have a pronounced effect on the life of the battery. The overall
result is that there can sometimes be years of difference between different systems.
How long will my UNIKON system operate for after it reports battery low?
The Loft Clock is typically around 8 weeks, however please be mindful there are no certainties and
there is a risk it could fail at anytime after a battery low message is reported and the risk will increase
with time.
If my Loft Clock battery is reporting low, is it Ok to use it until the end of the season provided I keep
it connected to the 12volt power supply?
The Loft Clock needs a battery for continuous clocking when there is no Pocket Clock in position. The
reason that the Loft Clock has a battery is to keep time when the Loft Clock is not connected to a
power supply. If the low battery message is ignored the battery will eventually not have sufficient
power to keep the time or the internal program. This means any interruption to the mains power may
mean that the Loft Clock time is lost and arrivals will not be recorded correctly which in turn could
lead to reports that have errors making the birds arrival invalid. If the battery is allowed to become
completely exhausted then you may find that it is not possible to use the Loft Clock even when it is
connected to the external power source. We advise that the Loft Clock has its battery replaced as soon
as you see the battery low warning.
What is the turnaround time for a battery service?
We operate a standard service on a first come first served basis, therefore the best time to return
equipment to us for service is at the end of the racing season, in the months of October, November
and December. From January onwards demand on our services can be high therefore to avoid
disappointment you should return equipment to us as early as possible. We have a team of engineers
that are able to work full time on UNIKON, however if we get a large influx of systems a couple of
weeks prior to racing there is an obvious risk that we will not be able to process all systems for
everyone before racing starts. We can provide you a more accurate estimate of the turnaround time
at the point of booking your battery service.
Should I return my UNIKON system for a battery change even if it is not reporting battery low?
This is a decision that only you can make. Some flyers send their systems to us regularly for a
preventive battery replacement service as it gives them comfort knowing that the battery will not be
an issue during racing. They are concerned by waiting for the battery low message there is a
probability that this could occur during racing. They want assurance that the battery is not going to be
an issue and that they will not be without their system should it report it needs to be changed during
racing. If considering a preventive battery service, then common sense should prevail, as such there is
little to be gained from changing batteries at intervals less than 5 years.
Loft Clock and Pocket Clock
What we do during a battery service.
• Replace the batteries with new UNIKON approved batteries.
• If possible we have backed up your flyers’ details and restored your information to your Clock.
• Undergone satisfactory 24 hour operational tests of the base and/or Pocket Clock.
• Checked and rectified any circuit issues that could cause premature battery failure.
• Replaced seals with genuine UNIKON seals.
Free complementary work done also includes:-
• Check and if required adjust the internal clock(s) to ensure they are working within tolerance.
• Check the LCD display performance and if necessary adjust the contrast.
• Check the function of all keys on the keyboard.
• Check the electrical connectors for physical wear/damage.
• Replace any missing feet on the Loft Clock.
• Clean the screen, case, keyboard and internals (within practical limits)* With respect to the health
of our employees we will not handle any product that is covered in pigeon droppings.
Overview
UNIKON loft systems have a battery in both the Loft Clock and Pocket Clock. The main purpose of the
batteries is to maintain the time when there is no other power. The Pocket Clock needs a battery to
maintain the time when it is not in the base.
Checking the battery status
Your UNIKON Loft Clock monitors the battery level and will report when the batteries are low. It is
important that you always check for the “Battery OK” message when you switch on UNIKON.
What is the life expectancy of the batteries within UNIKON?
Our experience shows that the battery life of the Loft Clock is typically greater than 5 years, with the
Pocket Clock battery typically lasting longer than the Loft Clock battery. Please have in mind that the
Pocket Clock has a more critical role since it is the Pocket Clock that holds races and it is the Pocket
Clock time which is used for races. Should you decide to ignore the battery low warnings then there is
the risk that any races will be void or even completely lost when the Pocket Clock battery fails.
Do I need to return both the Loft Clock and Pocket Clock at the same time?
If you are not seeing a Pocket Clock low battery message then you do not have to return it. However,
due to the critical role of the Pocket Clock we recommend that the Pocket Clock battery is replaced at
the same time as the Loft Clock battery as a preventive measure to avoid a Pocket Clock battery low
situation which may prevent racing.
Why can’t UNIKON be more specific on how long a battery will last?
Many factors affect battery life. Small variations between products and even the batteries themselves
have an effect on the battery life. The environment of the product during its life, particularly exposure
to wide temperature extremes will have a pronounced effect on the life of the battery. The overall
result is that there can sometimes be years of difference between different systems.
How long will my UNIKON system operate for after it reports battery low?
The Loft Clock is typically around 8 weeks, however please be mindful there are no certainties and
there is a risk it could fail at anytime after a battery low message is reported and the risk will increase
with time.
If my Loft Clock battery is reporting low, is it Ok to use it until the end of the season provided I keep
it connected to the 12volt power supply?
The Loft Clock needs a battery for continuous clocking when there is no Pocket Clock in position. The
reason that the Loft Clock has a battery is to keep time when the Loft Clock is not connected to a
power supply. If the low battery message is ignored the battery will eventually not have sufficient
power to keep the time or the internal program. This means any interruption to the mains power may
mean that the Loft Clock time is lost and arrivals will not be recorded correctly which in turn could
lead to reports that have errors making the birds arrival invalid. If the battery is allowed to become
completely exhausted then you may find that it is not possible to use the Loft Clock even when it is
connected to the external power source. We advise that the Loft Clock has its battery replaced as soon
as you see the battery low warning.
What is the turnaround time for a battery service?
We operate a standard service on a first come first served basis, therefore the best time to return
equipment to us for service is at the end of the racing season, in the months of October, November
and December. From January onwards demand on our services can be high therefore to avoid
disappointment you should return equipment to us as early as possible. We have a team of engineers
that are able to work full time on UNIKON, however if we get a large influx of systems a couple of
weeks prior to racing there is an obvious risk that we will not be able to process all systems for
everyone before racing starts. We can provide you a more accurate estimate of the turnaround time
at the point of booking your battery service.
Should I return my UNIKON system for a battery change even if it is not reporting battery low?
This is a decision that only you can make. Some flyers send their systems to us regularly for a
preventive battery replacement service as it gives them comfort knowing that the battery will not be
an issue during racing. They are concerned by waiting for the battery low message there is a
probability that this could occur during racing. They want assurance that the battery is not going to be
an issue and that they will not be without their system should it report it needs to be changed during
racing. If considering a preventive battery service, then common sense should prevail, as such there is
little to be gained from changing batteries at intervals less than 5 years.