[photo-3d] Batteries

["Joseph Valvo" <jvalvo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Reference the battery thread that was running about a week ago.

I recently came across an interesting battery cartridge at Lowes. They sell 3.2 volt NiMH batteries. The cartridge is about the diameter of 2 C cells and about the length of 2xC. If I recall correctly they were about $10.00 which is not bad for the equivalent of 2 seperate recargeables. Marketed by Black & Decker for their small hand tools thus should have a nice energy reserve (no doubt better than  anything purchased at Radio Shack for same bucks!). Did not see a B&D charger but did see a 3rd party kit of two cartridges and a charger for about $26.00.

We are making a prototype viewer and considering using two of these cartridges wired in series to drive a 6W, 6V bulb obtained from Dr. T. The series cartridges produce 7.2V which over-voltages Dr. T's bulb by 20% and will shorten it's life, but give great lumens. Alternate would be to put a circuit element in series and soak up the extra 1.2V.

There is no doubt in my mind that these cartridges will have more staying power than conventional alkies. Also, price difference is recovered in about 2 recharges when compared to 4 Duracells.

Just a thought for those wishing to back light hand viewers.

Joseph F. Valvo


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