REPLACING ZIP-ON BOOSTER PACK (FIGURE 8)
The JetForce BT allows for Zip-On Booster Packs (8a) to be interchanged on your
JetForce BT Base Unit (8b) based on your cargo requirements. To replace the modu-
lar portion of the backpack, use the following procedure:
1. Locate both Booster Pack Zipper Pulls (8c) on the main cargo compartment of the
pack.
2. Open the zippers all the way around the pack until they come off of Booster Pack
Zipper Ends (8d) at the bottom of the pack.
3. Remove the Zip-On Booster Pack (8a) from the JetForce BT Base Unit (8c).
4. Align the replacement Zip-On Booster Pack (8a) with the zippers on JetForce
BT Base Unit (8b) and engage both Booster Pack Zipper Pulls (8c) with the
corresponding Booster Pack Zipper Ends (8d).
5. Pull the Booster Pack Zipper Pulls (8c) around the pack to the desired position for
use as the main access zipper to the cargo compartment of the pack. Keep zippers
opposite from the release flap to minimize pull on the release clip.
A
WARNING! Do not use JetForce BT without a Booster Pack attached.
ADJUSTING THE DEPLOYMENT HANDLE (FIGURE 9)
It is possible to swap the handle from the user's left side to right side.
1. Disarm the system.
2. Open deployment handle pocket and unzip the balloon compartment.
3. Feed the handle from the shoulder strap pocket into the balloon compartment.
4. Feed handle under the two diagonal ski carry straps and under the balloon.
5. Feed the handle into the new shoulder side.
6. Slide the length adjuster along its support strap and readjust as needed.
7. Test pack for proper deployment.
TROUBLESHOOTING
In any system state (armed, charging, calibration), the JetForce BT system provides
comprehensive self-diagnosis. Warnings or errors are indicated with the red System
Status Light (1e), in conjunction with the blue Charge Status Lights (1f) for differenti-
ation (Figures 6-7):
1. Permanent solid red: Malfunction, initial deployment is not guaranteed – do not
enter avalanche terrain!
2. Permanent blinking red: Warning, battery charge insufficient – do not enter
avalanche terrain! Deployment is possible, but may cause damage to the battery.
3. Temporary blinking red for 3 seconds after arming then system proceeds as usual:
self-test error with deployment-unrelated malfunction, – do not enter avalanche
terrain!
To troubleshoot the system, follow these steps in order. Check for normal operation
after each step:
1. Turn the system off and turn it back on.
2. Connect the Charging Plug (1h) to the Charging Power Supply (1o) and leave
system connected until you see 4 solid blue Charge Status Lights (1f). Afterwards
disconnect and arm the system.
3. Confirm that the battery attachment screws are tight. Tighten if battery is loose.
4. Use "System Check" in the Pieps app for detailed troubleshooting. The app
also provides a detailed explanation of status light indications. Follow the
instructions and advice in the app. To connect the system to a device with
Bluetooth technology, refer to "BLUETOOTH CONNECTION" section of this
manual.
5. Contact your pack manufacturer´s service center for assistance.
WARNING/ERROR INDICATIONS:
Type
Indication
Required Action
Battery charge
Blinking RED
Recharge battery
warning
No GREEN
Blinking BLUE #1
(RED & BLUE alternating)
Battery charge
Blinking RED
Make sure that the system is
temperature
charged at room temperature.
No GREEN
warning
Leave the system connected
Blinking all 4 BLUE
to power supply until the bat-
(2x blink, 2x pause)
tery temperature is inside the
(RED & BLUE
allowed charge temperature
synchronous)
range and charging starts
automatically.
Calibration result
Solid RED
Battery needs to be replaced
error / battery
No GREEN
health not
Solid BLUE #1
acceptable
6
Bluetooth
Solid RED
Stop the indication by using
activation error
the disarming process and
No GREEN
activate Bluetooth again. If
Blinking Blue #1, 2
you continue to see this error,
alternating
contact your pack manu-
facturer´s service center for
assistance.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
• The JetForce BT Backpack must not come into contact with corrosive materials
such as battery acid, battery fumes, solvents, chlorine bleach, antifreeze,
isopropyl alcohol or gasoline.
• If you need to clean your pack, use a damp cloth and mild detergent to spot clean
the specific area. Take care to not get the pack overly wet. When finished cleaning,
open any affected pockets, hang the pack, and allow to air dry prior to use.
• Do not crush, puncture or subject the battery to excessive mechanical shock or
vibration.
• Inspect the Lithium-Ion Battery (1g) regularly for cracking, swelling or other
physical damage and replace damaged units immediately.
• The JetForce BT battery has been engineered to perform optimally at very cold
temperatures and has an internal charging circuit that maintains the health
of the battery; however, all Lithium-ion batteries, no matter how well they are
controlled, are subject to deterioration over time and with use. Storing the
battery for a long period of time at full charge and/or at high temperatures are
the easiest ways to permanently decrease the capacity and health of the battery.
Additionally, do not allow your battery to deep discharge. Running the system
when the battery is showing no blue lights may damage the battery.
• Battery health can be greatly extended by doing the following:
1. Disarm the system whenever not in avalanche terrain.
2. Charge the battery frequently during normal, regular use. As with all Lithium-
ion batteries, it is ideal to maintain a charge of 100% (4 blue lights) when being
used regularly. Avoid full discharge
3. Store the JetForce BT pack in a cool (< 23°C/73°F), dry environment at 75%-
90% (3 blue lights) battery charge when not being used regularly.
4. While the overall system will function up to 45° C [113°F], battery deterioration
is accelerated at temperatures higher than 23°C [73°F].
• System Check: The Pieps app can be used at any time to verify that your JetForce
BT system is functioning properly.
• Battery Calibration: It is recommended to perform a battery calibration once a
year, after the skiing season. Battery calibration allows you to evaluate battery
health and helps to provide the most accurate charge level indication.
1) Start calibration with a low battery charge level (1 blue light) as the system
needs to empty the battery before recharging.
2) Connect the Charging Plug (1h) to the Charging Power Supply (1o) and wait for
system to begin charging.
3) Press and hold (~3 seconds) the red Power Button (1d) until you hear the motor
running with low power. The lights indicate Calibration => no red, blinking
green, cycling blue outside/inside.
4) The calibration routine ends with a result indication:
• Very good:
no red, blinking green, solid blue #1-4
• Good:
no red, blinking green, solid blue #1-3
• Acceptable:
no red, blinking green, solid blue #1-2
• Not acceptable:
solid red, no green, solid blue #1
(recommendation for battery replacement)
STORAGE & TRANSPORT
Storage
• Always store the JetForce BT Backpack and all components (battery, charger)
in a cool (< 23°C/73°F), dry location, out of direct sunlight, and away from heat
sources.
• Prevent damage from sharp objects, animals, corrosive materials and mildew.
• When storing the pack for 1 day to 5 weeks, the pack should be disarmed with a
100% battery (4 blue lights).
• When storing the pack for 5 weeks and longer, the pack should disarmed and put
into Storage mode (see Disarming the system) with 75% - 90% battery (3 blue
lights).
Transport
• Ensure the system is disarmed and the Deployment Handle (1c) is stowed before
riding a ski lift, tram, airplane, helicopter, snowcat or any vehicle and before
entering small, confined spaces.
• Protect the JetForce BT Backpack from sharp objects, abrasion and crushing
forces during transportation.
• The JetForce BT Backpack uses a Lithium-Ion battery similar to most laptop
computers. For commercial airline travel, always check current travel regulations
before your trip.
• http://safetravel.dot.gov/index_batteries.html
• http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Pages/lithium-batteries.aspx
• Transporting a damaged Lithium-Ion Battery (1g) may be prohibited and is not
recommended. Always inspect the battery according to the guidelines outlined in
these instructions and be sure to heed the specific warnings.
INSPECTION, RETIREMENT AND LIFESPAN
Inspection
Inspect your gear for signs of damage and wear before and after each use. If you
deploy your airbag in an avalanche, perform a thorough inspection before using the
system again.
1. Inspect the airbag for punctures or tears.
2. Inspect the Fan Housing (5a) for cracks.
3. Inspect the Deployment Handle (1c) for dents, cracks or exposed wires.
4. Inspect the Lithium-Ion Battery (1g) for dents, cracks or signs of swelling.
5. Inspect the wiring for exposed conductors or weakened connections with the
other components.
6. Inspect the backpack for punctures or tears.
7. Inspect the backpack shoulder straps, leg strap, and waist belt for tears or
damaged stitching.
8. After repacking the airbag, arm the system to confirm proper operation.
If inspection reveals signs of damage or if you have any doubts about the depend-
ability of your JetForce BT Backpack, contact your pack manufacturer's customer
service center.
Retirement
Damaged gear must be repaired prior to use or retired and destroyed to prevent
future use.
Contact your pack manufacturer's customer service center if:
• The JetForce BT Backpack's electronic system does not arm properly or does
not deploy the airbag properly. Perform the procedures in the Troubleshooting
section of this manual before contacting your pack manufacturer's customer
service center.
• Battery becomes too hot to touch (48°C (118°F) or above)
• Airbag is damaged and will not hold air.
• Structural webbing or bar tacks are torn, abraded, cut, melted or burnt.
• If you have any doubts about the dependability of your gear, retire it.
• Lithium-Ion batteries are subject to local disposal and recycling regulations.
Always follow local requirements when disposing of any battery. Do not dispose of
any battery in fire.
• Never use a damaged battery.
Lifespan
The JetForce BT System is certified for 50 full deployments. With normal use and
proper care the typical lifespan of a JetForce BT Backpack is five years. The actual
lifespan can be longer or shorter depending on how frequently you use it and on the
conditions of its use. The maximum lifespan of a JetForce BT Backpack is up to 10
years from the date of manufacture, even if unused and properly stored.
Upon reaching the rated number of deployments or maximum lifespan, the pack
must be retired and destroyed to prevent future use.
Factors that will reduce the lifespan of a JetForce BT Backpack: Falls, abrasion,
wear, prolonged exposure to sunlight, salt water/air, corrosive chemicals, harsh
environments or misuse of the battery.
The typical estimated lifespan of your replaceable Lithium-Ion battery is three to
five years. All Lithium-Ion batteries deteriorate with age.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Allowable operating temperature: -30°C to 45°C (-22°F to 113°F)
• Optimal storage temperature of the battery: 0°C to 23°C (32°F to 73°F)
• Allowable storage temperature: -35°C to 55°C (-31°F to 130°F)
• Allowable charging temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
• Charging power supply:
• GlobTek, Inc. Model#GTM91120-3024-T2
• Input: 110/220 V AC, 50-60 Hz.
• Output: 5-40 V DC, 1.5 Amps
• Battery specification:
• Nominal charging voltage: 24 V DC
• Internal: 28.8 V DC, 2.0 Ah/57.6 Wh
• Operating elevation: 0m to 6000m (19,700 ft)
• JetForce BT Lithium-Ion Battery, Part # 12643
• JetForce BT Airbag Control Module, Part # 12644
• Bluetooth
®
transmission frequency: 2.402 – 2.480GHz
• BlueTooth
transmit power: 0 dBm
®
MARKINGS (WHEN PRESENT)
Black Diamond: Black Diamond brand name and name of the manufacturer.
: Black Diamond's logo.
PIEPS: PIEPS brand name
: PIEPS logo.
JetForce BT 25: Example of a model name.
: The CE mark of conformity and indicates fulfillment of the requirements of the
Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Notified body performing
the EC type examination: TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH, Daimlerstraße 11,
D-85748 Garching, Germany, NB No 0123.
2017-05 : Manufacturing Date of May 2017.
XXXXXXXXXXXX: 12-digit serial number unique to each pack.
: Instruction pictogram advising users to read the instructions and warnings.
EN 16716:2017: The JetForce BT Backpack conforms to EN 16716:2017,
Mountaineering equipment - Avalanche airbag systems - Safety requirements and
test methods.
: Class 3 appliance designed to be charged using a safety extra-low voltage
power supply.
: IEC symbol indicating that a specific separate supply unit is required for
connecting electrical equipment to the supply mains.
: FCC symbol indicating that the device has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
: Illustration showing the polarity of the charge plug for the JetForce BT
Airbag charger.
: Wheelie bin symbol advising users to dispose of waste electrical and electronic
equipment separately from unsorted municipal waste.
IP65: International Protection Marking, indicating that the JetForce BT Li-Ion
Battery and Airbag Control Module are dust tight and will withstand a water jet
without harmful effects per IEC 60529.
: The universal recycling symbol.
The Declaration of Conformity for this product may be viewed at
www.pieps.com/conformity
Black Diamond is an ISO 9001 certified company.
FCC NOTICE:
Contains FCC ID:VPYLBZY
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
FCC CAUTION:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncon-
trolled environment and meets the FCC radio frequency (RF) Exposure Guidelines.
This equipment has very low levels of RF energy that it deemed to comply without
maximum permissive exposure evaluation (MPE).
IC NOTICE:
Contains IC: 772C-LBZY
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncon-
trolled environment and meets RSS-102 of the IC radio frequency (RF) Exposure
rules. This equipment has very low levels of RF energy that are deemed to comply
without testing of specific absorption ratio (SAR).
LIMITED WARRANTY
For the following period after the purchase date, unless otherwise indicated by
law, we will warrant to the original retail buyer only that our products are free
from defects in material and workmanship as originally sold. Back Pack and
Components: 3 years; Lithium-Ion Battery: 1 year. If you receive a defective product,
return it to us and we will replace it subject to the following conditions: We do not
warrant products which show normal wear and tear or that have been used or main-
tained improperly, modified or altered, or damaged in any manner.
7