On 12/22/2022 4:08 AM, Cedric Amand via cctalk wrote:
Hey everyone, No - I won't ask if this is on topic
or not :) I'm currently reparing an ALPS plotter ( a Tandy "ce 150"
equivalent ) and it's not the first time I face the same problem ; how to replace NiCD
batteries. In the past what I did is actually order new NiCd ( you can still find them
here in Europe, well actually out of europe but in eastern countries close to europe )
However they are at best NOS nowadays, that does "work" enough for moderate use
(I've done that on vintage laptops) This time I'd like to go a bit beyond that and
replace the NiCd with modern NiMH (the plotter coils and motors will benefit the extra
power) However the trickle chagre of NiCd applied to NiMH will either kill my batteries or
kill me in a house fire. I see small $1 NiMH 5S charging boards on Aliexpress, I thought I
might use that, try to shove it it the CE150 (or other devcies with the same problem)
TL-DR : Before I re invent the wheel here ; Has anyone developed a proper way to replace
NiCd with N
iMH in vintage (mostly portable) equipment ? And I mean not simply swapping the
batteries, I don't want that, I want a proper charge process.
I apologize that I don't have an answer to the main question on how to
upgrade from NiCD to NiMH, as I considered it for a similar portable
printer a few years back, but decided I was not willing to incur the
risk for the usage I envisioned.
My comment has more to do with the statements about NiCD batteries you
made. Is there a size constraint that hinders finding new cells to use?
I find brand new NiCD batteries of quite a few sizes all over, as many
folks use them to re-pack portable tool batteries and other similar
uses. I've repacked quite a few NICD containing systems (Old HP
portable computer, camcorder, printers) with these new NiCDs, which all
are smaller, have more storage capacity, and are brand new.
If you decide to continue with NiCD and send cell dimensions, I'm happy
to see what I can find that's new.
Jim
--
Jim Brain
brain(a)jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com