[photo-3d] Re: RE. LR44 (FED-BOY batteries )

[CanterMike@xxxxxxx]

OK, so I'm a week behind in posting this.  I'm sorry for the gap in 
the thread, but I've been a bit behind lately.

All of the literature indicates that the FED-BOY uses SR44 
batteries. I was a bit surprised when I first got mine as 
the battery compartment is clearly much bigger that necessary 
for SR44 type batteries.  Is is, in fact, clearly big enough 
for a PX13/PX625 type battery.  Has anyone else observed this?

As far as battery substitutes go, there are many for the SR44 
type, depending on your local market: EPX76, MS76, KS76, G13, 
V76PX, D357*, E357*, RW22, V13, V357* are all listed as silver 
oxide batteries, 1.55V, 11.6mm diameter, 5.4mm height, 145mAh.  
There are a few alkaline substitutes, as well: LR44, EPX76A, 
V13GA...I'm sure that we could probably find more.  All have 
the same physical specs as the silver cells with two exceptions: 
they weigh less (1.8 vs. 2.3 grams) and are rated at 115mAh.

For those who must replace the mercury type batteries 
PX13/PX625/MR9/M-D/KX625/HS-D/H-D, there a couple of choices 
in the US:  Wein has been very successful with a 1.35V zinc-air
 cell that mimics the stable output (but not necessarily the long 
life) of the mercury batteries (they call it an MRB625), and 
there are a bunch of 1.5V alkalines (V625U, KA625, EPX625G, 
625A, LR9), in addition to the previously referenced adaptor(s).
  The original PX13 specs were 16mm diameter, 6.2mm height, 
450 mAh, 4.6 grams.  The alkalines are physically pretty close
 (15.5mm diameter, 6.1mm height, 3.3 grams, but only 185mAh) 
but it is generally accepted that their discharge curves are 
less than ideal.  (I have no specs from Wein, other than
voltage.) It is rumoured that mercuric oxide batteries are still 
available outside of the US, but I have no proof.  So if you 
have old equipment, don't give it up or throw it out in panic 
quite yet...there are ways to keep them going.


All this excess of battery information boils down to a few questions:
are FED-BOY's really wired differently than earlier models?
If so,(given the availablity of 1.5V batteries in either 
diameter [11.6 and 15.5])does it really matter which you use?  

If not,should we all be using the 1.35V batteries or the adaptor?
 
Mike Canter



* the 357 series above are sold as "watch" batteries, but have 
identical specifications as the "photo" batteries