What do I need to change my battery?
If it is time to replace your battery, refer to your system’s manufacturer’s instructions, via your manual or their website to find out which battery you should use. It is important to note, that there are typically at least two batteries utilized in your system. One is in the receiver collar, the other is in the remote transmitter. Sometimes these batteries are different, so pay close attention when purchasing a replacement. While looking into which battery to purchase, you should also check to see if there are any specialized tools you may need to do the job. Many SportDOG replacement battery kits come with the allen wrench or screwdriver needed to disassemble the battery housing. Some even include a new gasket to ensure that your device continues to be water resistant or waterproof.
How do I change the battery?
When it is time to replace the battery to your remote transmitter or receiver collar, turn off both units of your system and carefully disassemble the unit using the manufacturer recommended tools. Using inappropriate tools on your device can cause damage to the receiver housing or the electronics that it protects. Ensure that you keep track of all the pieces you have removed. Some waterproof transmitters and receivers come with a rubber gasket that keeps water from entering the receiver housing. If this piece is lost or over stretched, it can reduce the effectiveness of the waterproof seal causing damage to the electronics inside. Once you have taken the unit apart, locate the battery and remove it. Many batteries, like Dogtra replacement batteries include connector cords that plug the battery into the unit. When disassembling your unit, be careful to detach the wires that may be plugged into the unit from the battery. Pulling these wires out, without careful inspection of how to remove the connector plug, can damage the connection, making it impossible for any battery to power the device. Once you have disassembled the unit and removed the battery, you can replace it with the new one. Do not use any battery pack other than the one recommended by the system’s manufacturer. Using the wrong battery can damage your unit. Once the new battery has been installed, you can test the unit. Many receivers and transmitters come with testing lights, or tone modes that you can utilize to make sure your unit is indeed receiving power from the battery pack and sending or receiving signals to it’s counterpart. When you are finished testing the unit, replace the parts and put the housing back together. Refer to manufacturers instructions for how to charge your unit after replacing the battery, or how long your new battery should last you.
Still not working?
If you replace the battery in your unit and it is still struggling to maintain a full charge, the problem may be with your charger rather than with the battery. Chargers can malfunction for many reasons, the outlet that you are using may be damaged, the wall plug on your charger may be damaged, or the unit connection could be broken at either the end of the charger, or the connection point on your unit. SportDOG and Dogtra both offer replacement chargers that can be connected to wall outlets or car charging ports. As always, follow the manufacturers guidelines on what to use to charge your unit or what troubleshooting steps to take if none of these options work.