We have received reports of some SAFT branded batteries under performing. We managed to get a hold of one of those batteries and ran some tests. Initially the batteries seem to be ok when checked on a voltmeter. However, we discovered that the voltage drops once you measure it under a 200 ohm resistor load.
By contrast, a properly functioning battery will maintain a proper voltage range even after applying a 200 ohm load.
The defective battery that we tested had a green plastic top under the positive contact and was labeled "Made in France". It came from a customer that bought it as a new battery from Amazon. The customer opened the sealed battery packing, placed it on a Petrel computer and the Petrel would not turn on. We also tested a different green top battery labeled "Made in China" and this one was able to sustain proper voltage under a 200 ohm load and it properly powered a Petrel 2 dive computer. So, just because a SAFT battery has a green top it does not necessarily mean that it will be defective. We have not encountered cases of defective batteries with a silver metal top. The more conclusive test to determine if you have a defective battery is to measure voltages with and without a load.
