FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Battery Technology Update for Gilian Air Sampling Pumps

In order to follow International guidelines and requirements to limit the use of products containing certain restricted substances, such as cadmium in this case, Sensidyne LP will be phasing out battery packs that contain NiCad cells. The NiMH replacement packs and/or NiMH pump models will be available prior to the NiCad packs being discontinued except for the HFS-513 which will be supported until the specific NiCad cells are no longer available. The phase out date will differ from one product to another; please refer to the details below.

LFS-113: The LFS-113 is currently available in two models, a UL model with NiCad batteries, and an ATEX/CSA model with NiMH batteries. Both versions use the same single unit and five unit chargers. The UL NiCad version will be discontinued. Older UL NiCad pumps can be upgraded to the ATEX/CSA model by a factory service center conversion. The anticipated last shipment date of the NiCad battery pack for the LFS-113 is January 31, 2012.

GilAir-3, GilAir-5 and BDX-2: The UL Models of the GilAir-3 and GilAir-5 pumps are presently available with either NiCad or NiMH batteries. The NiCad versions will be discontinued. Customers with NiCad UL pumps may replace them with the NiMH UL battery packs, as the NiMH batteries are a drop-in replacement. Please note that the BMS Battery Maintenance Systems should not be used with NiMH battery packs, as the packs may be damaged.  (See BMS entry below). The anticipated last shipment date of the NiCad battery pack for the GilAir 3, GilAir 5 and BDX-2 is January 31, 2012. 

HFS-513: Replacement battery packs for the HFS-513 will be available throughout 2012.

Gilian 3500, 5000 and GilAir Plus: There will be no change in these pumps as these models were never offered with NiCads.

BMS Battery Maintenance Systems: The discontinuation of the NiCad battery packs will automatically render the Battery Maintenance Systems (BMS) developed for the maintenance of NiCad batteries obsolete as they will not serve any purpose for the NiMH battery packs. In addition, the high current output of the BMS could compromise the integrity of the NiMH cells and should not be used with these cells.  Accordingly, the BMS will no longer be sold effective October 31, 2011.

The universal five-way charger models will continue to be available and are suitable for use with both NiCad and NiMH battery packs. 

Sensidyne LP will offer a trade in program for BMS chargers to facilitate the transition. Please contact us for details.

We look forward to working closely with you as we make this necessary transition from NiCad to NiMH battery packs.  Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions in this regard.

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About Sensidyne
Sensidyne, LP, a member of the Schauenburg Group, is a respected manufacturer and supplier of industrial health and safety instrumentation. Sensidyne provides products to a broad range of process, manufacturing and infrastructure industries including Power, Chemical, Oil and Gas, Mining, Industrial Gases, Semi-conductor, Metals, Water and Waste Treatment facilities worldwide. Their core competencies are product development, manufacturing, distribution, and service of fixed gas detection and air monitoring instrumentation. Their brands include SensAlert^® Plus and SensAlert^® Fixed Point Gas Detectors, Gilian^®, GilAir^®, and BDX^® Air Sampling Pumps, Sensidyne/Kitagawa Gas Detector Tubes, Sensidyne Micro Air Pumps, and Sensidyne Toxic Gas and Oxygen Sensors.

Press Contact:
Joshua I. Walters
Senior Marketing Specialist
jwalters@Sensidyne.com
800-451-9444 / +1 727-530-3602 x 680