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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting charging failure, short battery runtime, AC power issues, or battery-related shutdowns on the Olympic Brainz Monitor.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
If the Olympic Brainz Monitor is actively being used for patient EEG monitoring, do not troubleshoot power or charging issues while the patient is dependent on the device.
Confirm clinical staff has moved monitoring to another available system or that monitoring can safely pause per clinical direction.
Expected outcome: Patient monitoring is maintained safely before troubleshooting begins.
Confirm the Reported Battery Problem
Ask staff what was observed:
- Battery will not charge
- Battery indicator does not increase
- Monitor shuts down quickly when unplugged
- Battery drains faster than expected
- Device only works while connected to AC power
- Charging indicator does not appear
Expected outcome: The failure mode is clearly identified before parts or internal battery failure are assumed.
Verify AC Power at the Wall Outlet
Plug a known-good device or outlet tester into the same wall outlet.
Confirm the outlet is live and not controlled by a wall switch, power strip, or tripped breaker.
Expected outcome: AC power is available at the outlet.
If the outlet is dead, use a known-good outlet and report the facility power issue as appropriate.
Inspect the Power Cord and External Power Supply
Check the power cord and power adapter for:
- Loose plug connection
- Bent connector
- Damaged insulation
- Cracked power brick
- Strain relief damage
- Missing or incorrect adapter
Reseat the power cord at the outlet, power supply, and monitor.
Expected outcome: The external power path is secure and undamaged.
If damage is found, remove the damaged accessory from use and replace it with an approved compatible power supply or cord.
Check for Charging Indicators
Connect the monitor to AC power and observe the display or charging indicator.
Look for battery icon behavior, charging status, power LED status, or any warning message.
Expected outcome: The monitor recognizes AC power and shows charging activity.
If no charging indication appears, continue checking the external power path before assuming battery failure.
Test with a Known-Good Power Cord or Adapter if Available
If the power cord or adapter is removable and a known-good compatible replacement is available, swap only the external accessory.
Do not substitute an unverified power adapter with the wrong voltage, polarity, connector type, or current rating.
Expected outcome: Charging resumes if the original cord or adapter was faulty.
If charging resumes, document the accessory failure, replace the defective part, and stop.
Allow Adequate Charging Time
If the battery was fully depleted, leave the monitor connected to AC power long enough to recover before judging runtime.
Confirm the device remains powered during charging and that the battery level increases over time.
Expected outcome: Battery charge level rises while connected to AC power.
If the battery level does not increase after a reasonable charging period, continue troubleshooting.
Check for Excessive Battery Drain Conditions
Verify whether the monitor is being left on battery power longer than expected, stored unplugged, or used repeatedly without full recharge.
Confirm staff is not mistaking normal battery discharge for a charging failure.
Expected outcome: Use pattern supports proper charging and normal battery operation.
If battery runtime remains unusually short after full charge, suspect battery degradation.
Inspect the Monitor for Signs of Damage or Contamination
Check the monitor and charging connector area for:
- Fluid ingress
- Corrosion
- Cracked housing
- Loose charging jack
- Burnt smell
- Unusual heat
- Intermittent power when the connector is moved
Expected outcome: No physical damage, overheating, or connector instability is present.
If any of these are found, remove the monitor from service and send it for bench evaluation.
Perform a Controlled Battery Runtime Check
Fully charge the monitor, then operate it on battery under a safe non-patient test condition.
Observe whether the monitor shuts down quickly, battery percentage drops rapidly, or power warnings appear sooner than expected.
Expected outcome: Battery runtime is stable and appropriate for the device’s condition.
If the battery rapidly depletes after a full charge, the battery is likely degraded or the charging circuit may not be maintaining charge properly.
Restart the Monitor and Recheck Charging Behavior
Power the monitor off, reconnect AC power, and power it back on if appropriate.
Confirm whether the charging status changes after restart.
Expected outcome: A temporary display or charging status issue clears.
If the same charging problem returns, continue to escalation.
Do Not Open the Device for Battery or Charging Circuit Repair During Floor Troubleshooting
Do not perform internal battery replacement, charging board inspection, or connector repair in the clinical area.
Expected outcome: Troubleshooting remains limited to safe external checks and Clinical Engineering evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
If the Olympic Brainz Monitor still will not charge, only powers on with AC power, rapidly depletes after a full charge, overheats, or shows unstable power behavior, common external causes have been ruled out.
Remove the device from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation.
The likely causes may include a degraded battery pack, failed charging circuit, damaged DC input connector, internal power issue, or battery communication fault.
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. A monitor with unreliable battery performance should not be returned to patient use until evaluated and verified.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot power or battery issues while the Olympic Brainz Monitor is actively monitoring a patient. Move the patient to another appropriate monitoring system first, then troubleshoot the affected device only when safe so therapy continuity and monitoring coverage are maintained.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported the Natus Olympic Brainz Monitor would not hold a charge and shut down shortly after being unplugged from AC power."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified wall power and external power supply were functional, but the monitor battery depleted rapidly after a full charging attempt."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the Olympic Brainz Monitor from service, labeled it Out of Service, and sent it for bench evaluation for suspected battery or internal charging failure."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior or power-related error messages
- Accessories swapped, including power cord or power adapter
- Power behavior on AC power and battery power
- Environmental factors, including storage unplugged or repeated use without full recharge
- Indicator lights, battery icon behavior, and charging indicator status
- Final device status, including whether it was returned to service or labeled Out of Service
Final Thought
Battery issues on an EEG system should be handled carefully because unreliable power can interrupt monitoring and delay clinical assessment. Start with the outlet, cord, adapter, charging indication, and use pattern before suspecting the internal battery or charging circuit. If external checks do not resolve the issue, remove the monitor from service and document the findings clearly using the CCR method.
That is successful troubleshooting.