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Best Practices When Changing Batteries on a Vector 3 or Rally System
Garmin recommends the following steps when it is time to change the batteries on your Vector™ 3 or Rally™ power meter system. For dual-sided power pedals it is recommended to replace batteries for in both pedals. This process will take about 5-10 minutes.
Required Tools and Supplies:
4-mm Allen key
Alcohol
Cotton swabs x 2 (for each pedal)
Mineral oil or other light oil (such as baby oil)
Optional small magnet to assist with removal of batteries from pedal body
Toothpick(s)
NOTE: To prevent introduction of contaminants from the outside of the pedal, completely clean the outside of the pedal using water or alcohol and then dry off thoroughly before proceeding with the following steps to remove the battery cover and replace the batteries.
- Use the Allen key to unscrew the battery cover
.
If necessary, use the magnet to pull out the top (inboard) battery.
Tip the cover open-side down a bit, then again use the magnet if necessary to slide out the second (outboard) battery.
Using a clean cotton swab (dry), wipe over all contact surfaces: contact points on circuit board, both -/+ surfaces on both batteries, and the 2 battery contacts on either side of the “+” in the battery holder:
Dip a clean cotton swab into the alcohol and squeeze out all excess, and then wipe over all the surfaces described in Step #4.
Use a toothpick or similar device to apply a small drop of light mineral oil to each of the battery contacts and between the two batteries, as well as to all surfaces you cleaned in Steps #4 and #5. This will help avoid battery fretting (see below for details).
Install the new batteries into the cover, positive side (outer shell) outwards.
For types of batteries that should be used in the Vector 3 see: Battery Model Recommendations for Vector 3/3S Power Pedals.
For the Rally pedal systems use a CR1/3N battery in each pedal.
Insert the Allen key into the cover cap and then insert the cover assembly into the pedal body.
Be careful to avoid cross-threading. Turn the Allen key (and the cover) counterclockwise until you feel the cover drop into the threads on the pedal body.
For Rally power meters, use the Allen key to tighten the cover to 5Nm. For Vector 3 power meters, hand-tighten. Avoid over-tightening on either system.
Towards the end, the resistance increases gradually as the O-ring becomes compressed, but then it should quickly feel ‘tight.'
Repeat for the other pedal, if applicable.
What is Battery Fretting?
“Fretting” is a localized corrosion process caused by vibration of two or more components. In this case, the batteries can move microscopically against each other and against the battery contact springs. Over time, the movement can cause erosion of the nickel-plated surface of the batteries, and then the nickel dust oxidizes and forms a resistive layer. A typical result is a black residue as shown below:
On a bicycle product, it is difficult to eliminate the vibration, but the corrosion effect can be minimized by applying a lubricant to the contact locations. The lubricant function is to exclude oxygen from the interface and thereby prevent the corrosion from occurring. Secondarily, the lubricant acts to reduce the localized friction, which reduces the contact surface wear.
When replacing the batteries, it is recommended to use a toothpick or similar device to apply a small drop of light mineral oil (baby oil, sewing machine oil, or model train/car oil) to each of the battery contacts and between the two batteries.