When i used the Galileo Sol first time for test diving, I was simply faszinated. New algorithms, the huge display and the possibillity to get firmware updates you could upload yourself. What more could you want? Since tehn, I used the Galileo during all my dives. First as a test object, later as a reference while testing other dive computers. In July 2021 I finally sent my Galileo back to Uwatec.
Friends of mine still use their Galileo for daily diving. Nowadays, it tends to get tricky to buy new CR12600SE batteries. If you get one it may be already close to expiration or already drain capacity quite fast. That’s a pitty, since the Galileo still is a sturdy and reliable working horse. For those, who already have troubles reading small numbers on wrist-watch computers, the large display is a real treat.
I got a hint, that the CR12600SE lithium cell with 3V nominal voltage may be replaced by two alcaline LR1 cells with 1.5V nominal voltage each. The two cells have together the same diameter and length and also voltage as the original battery.
Ich habe nun einen Tipp bekommen und prompt umgesetzt. Anstatt der einen Lithium-Batterie mit 3V Nennspannung habe ich zwei Alkaline-Batterien vom Typ LR1 mit einer Nennspannung von 1,5V in Serie eingesetzt. Die Kombination hat mechanisch die gleichen Abmessungen und elektrisch vergleichbare Werte.
Good News: I was able to turn on the Galileo after inserting two LR1 cells. The battery gauge showed full battery. I also did a dive at 18°C in fresh water. In total, the Galileo seems to work with the replacement cells.
Warning: I don’t know, how long the batteries will last. I don’t know if the end of live will be detected reliably and timely to prevent a failure during a dive. I don’t know how the LR1 alcaline batteries will behave in cold water. Uwatec can’t recommend the use of LR1 batteries without long and expensive tests (so this won’t happen). I will present my experience here but I can’t recommend the replacement batteries either. I just canreport what I experienced in specific cases. If you try this too, you do it at your own risk. Please keep in mind, that I dive at least one computer that contains certified serial production hardware and software. Most of the time, I am diving 6 or more computers in parallel, so I won’t get into much troubles if one of them fails.
There are still things to research and find out. Even if it’s just to do a retro-dive anno 2007.