Vernier Original LabQuest - Manual (Page 26)

LabQuest Reference
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Use only the supplied AC adapter to charge the LabQuest battery.
The LabQuest uses a high-quality lithium ion battery. This is the same chemistry used in
premium laptop and cell phone batteries, and you can expect similar performance. There is
never a need to condition the battery by regular full discharge/charge cycles.
To optimize battery day-to-day battery life, set the screen brightness to the minimum
acceptable level, and turn off the LabQuest when it is not in use. Disconnect any sensors
you are not actively using. Charge the LabQuest overnight before use to start the day with a
full charge.
The battery takes about ten hours to completely charge. It is safe to leave the battery
charging indefinitely, and there is no need to fully discharge the battery before charging.
Battery life will depend on the sensors used, but in most cases you can obtain six or more
hours of use of the LabQuest between charging.
For use with a computer either the battery must be charged or the LabQuest must be
connected to AC power. The LabQuest cannot operate on USB power alone. When the
LabQuest is turned off, the USB connection will, however, slowly charge the battery.
The long-term life of the battery will vary, but you can expect about three hundred to four
hundred full charge/discharge cycles before the battery will need to be replaced. In this
count, a charge from half-way to a full charge would count as half of a charge cycle.
Exposure to temperatures over 35°C will significantly reduce battery life.
As a battery reaches the end of its useful life, the run time will become shorter and shorter.
Eventually the run time will be too short for your application, and you will want to replace
the battery.
Rechargeable batteries are considered a consumable, and as such are warranted for one year.
In typical school use, however, the batteries will last for three years or more. Replacement
batteries (order code LQ-BAT) are available from Vernier at low cost. Recycling information
is available at www.rbrc.org.
LabQuest Case and Screen
The LabQuest is water and shock resistant. Do not submerge in liquids. Wipe clean with a
damp cloth only; do not use any solvents including ammonia or glass cleaners.
Stylus Tether
LabQuest includes two styli and a tether. If desired, you can attach the tether to a stylus and
the LabQuest. Additional styli are available from Vernier.
The LabQuest Emulator
The LabQuest Emulator (LQM) is included on the LabQuest CD. It is also available for
download from www.vernier.com/labquest/updates