Batteries

Greg Hodge · 14th March 2007, 21:29

Guys,

This may have been discussed previously so I apologise if I am dredging up old issues. I am relatively new to the Mk15.5 and rebreathers generally - I got my Mk15.5 last October.

I am currently building my own battery packs - 18 AAs glued and soldered together. I have made up a simple test box to plug in and check the polarity and voltage once built. I guess this is relatively simple but I am thinking to make this a bit easier with a rechargeable system.

I have perused the previous battery discussion in this Mk15 forum thats discusses some options or at least different battery configs.

Has anyone come up with a rechargeable battery pack configuration and charger? What batteries are used? What charger?

Thanks

Greg

Skipbreather · 15th March 2007, 16:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by Greg Hodge)

Guys,

This may have been discussed previously so I apologise if I am dredging up old issues. I am relatively new to the Mk15.5 and rebreathers generally - I got my Mk15.5 last October.

I am currently building my own battery packs - 18 AAs glued and soldered together. I have made up a simple test box to plug in and check the polarity and voltage once built. I guess this is relatively simple but I am thinking to make this a bit easier with a rechargeable system.

I have perused the previous battery discussion in this Mk15 forum thats discusses some options or at least different battery configs.

Has anyone come up with a rechargeable battery pack configuration and charger? What batteries are used? What charger?

Thanks

Greg

Hi Greg-

It is do-able. I built a rechargeable battery pack for my Gen 1 SJ board that worked fine. I used 22 NiMH rechargeable AAA cells, center tapped (22 AA cells won’t fit into pod). At the time, 800 mah was the best capacity I could find. Latest I’ve seen now have 850 mah capacity. I used a couple of old surplus 15 v laptop chargers to charge them. Charge tapered to zero current when 15 v was reached but I included a small rheostat in the circuit to keep the initial charge rate down to around 200 mah- higher would have shortened cell life. 800 mah doesn’t sound like much, but when you think about AAA alkaline cells being at best around 2200 mah and how long you get from them, 850 mah will do fine for one day’s diving. Beats the hell out of constantly building alkaline packs- especially if you have a high draw solenoid. Order the cells w/ tabs spot welded on to make things a lot easier.

In some of the old Navy MK15 manuals they talked a bit about rechargeable packs. IIRC they restricted them to training dives only, but those were ancient technology, low capacity NiCad packs w/ all the ‘memory’ issues, etc.

Have fun-

Ken

**Dave Sutton** · 16th March 2007, 10:59

Or use the 3 volt AA sized Lithium disposables with (2) 6-cell AA battery holders glued back to back. Stick 'em into the holders, dive until they are dead, and then toss 'em and install new. Saves soldering anyhow.

Dave

teksimple · 26th March 2007, 02:27

Or get a Hammerhead. One alkaline AA battery a dive. Use an Energizer 1.5v lithium for a big dive or a Saft 3.6V for a week-long trip.

Carls · 5th April 2007, 03:47

Quote: (Originally Posted by Greg Hodge)

Guys,

This may have been discussed previously so I apologise if I am dredging up old issues. I am relatively new to the Mk15.5 and rebreathers generally - I got my Mk15.5 last October.

I am currently building my own battery packs - 18 AAs glued and soldered together. I have made up a simple test box to plug in and check the polarity and voltage once built. I guess this is relatively simple but I am thinking to make this a bit easier with a rechargeable system.

I have perused the previous battery discussion in this Mk15 forum thats discusses some options or at least different battery configs.

Has anyone come up with a rechargeable battery pack configuration and charger? What batteries are used? What charger?

Thanks

Greg

Hi Greg,
Go to Radio Shack and buy two 8 cell AA holders (the short version). They fit in the battery compartment and it is easy to change out batteries.
Regards, Carl

**Dave Sutton** · 7th April 2007, 21:59

Hey Carl! Welcome aboard! We know who you are.....

Have you run the old pods and solenoids off of 16 rather than 18 batteries?

Thanks for the play time with the IR Camera... I want one!

Dave

Carls · 11th April 2007, 00:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

Hey Carl! Welcome aboard! We know who you are.....

Have you run the old pods and solenoids off of 16 rather than 18 batteries?

Thanks for the play time with the IR Camera... I want one!

Dave

Hi Dave,
Yes, the old pod worked fine on 16 alkalines (24 vdc) and using the readily available Radio Shack battery holders comes in real handy when you don't tighten the vent screw all the way down and you need to rebuild your battery pack in under an hour........not that I would know firsthand.

You're welcome, send a check .......don't bother to fill in the numbers, I'll take care of that for you. The camera was a true Thermal imaging system 7-14 microns, .1 degree C sensitivity. It can certainly keep anybody from sneaking up on you , even in total darkness.

**Dave Sutton** · 11th April 2007, 00:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by Carls)

Hi Dave, Yes, the old pod worked fine on 16 alkalines (24 vdc) and using the readily available Radio Shack battery holders comes in real handy when you don't tighten the vent screw all the way down and you need to rebuild your battery pack in under an hour........not that I would know firsthand. You're welcome, send a check .......don't bother to fill in the numbers, I'll take care of that for you. The camera was a true Thermal imaging system 7-14 microns, .1 degree C sensitivity. It can certainly keep anybody from sneaking up on you , even in total darkness.

Thanks Buddy..... I'll make up a trial pack and see how it goes.

The camera was useful to tell... err.... naah: Not gonna say....

Dave

Hootis · 21st April 2007, 05:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

Or use the 3 volt AA sized Lithium disposables with (2) 6-cell AA battery holders glued back to back. Stick 'em into the holders, dive until they are dead, and then toss 'em and install new. Saves soldering anyhow.

Dave

Dave,

Will the old analog electronics handle 36v? Hows the battery life with this setup?

Ryan

**Dave Sutton** · 21st April 2007, 21:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by Hootis)

Dave,

Will the old analog electronics handle 36v? Hows the battery life with this setup?

Ryan

Dunno about 36V, I would not try it with my (precious) pods...

The Lithiums seem to be "OK" for use with a digital pod and old solenoid, but I've not had a load of experience with them (yet). I'll be using it all summer though, so we'll know for sure "soon".

Carl has the best idea though, and that's to simply use (16) AA's in 2 8-cell packs and just run the thing a few volts low. Ought to not affect it at all.

Dave

14th March 2007, 21:29	#1 (permalink)
Greg Hodge New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 7	Batteries Guys, This may have been discussed previously so I apologise if I am dredging up old issues. I am relatively new to the Mk15.5 and rebreathers generally - I got my Mk15.5 last October. I am currently building my own battery packs - 18 AAs glued and soldered together. I have made up a simple test box to plug in and check the polarity and voltage once built. I guess this is relatively simple but I am thinking to make this a bit easier with a rechargeable system. I have perused the previous battery discussion in this Mk15 forum thats discusses some options or at least different battery configs. Has anyone come up with a rechargeable battery pack configuration and charger? What batteries are used? What charger? Thanks Greg Last edited by Greg Hodge : 15th March 2007 at 04:53.
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15th March 2007, 16:30	#2 (permalink)
Skipbreather Reads the fine print Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet MK 15.X Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA Posts: 555	Re: Batteries Quote: (Originally Posted by Greg Hodge) Guys, This may have been discussed previously so I apologise if I am dredging up old issues. I am relatively new to the Mk15.5 and rebreathers generally - I got my Mk15.5 last October. I am currently building my own battery packs - 18 AAs glued and soldered together. I have made up a simple test box to plug in and check the polarity and voltage once built. I guess this is relatively simple but I am thinking to make this a bit easier with a rechargeable system. I have perused the previous battery discussion in this Mk15 forum thats discusses some options or at least different battery configs. Has anyone come up with a rechargeable battery pack configuration and charger? What batteries are used? What charger? Thanks Greg Hi Greg- It is do-able. I built a rechargeable battery pack for my Gen 1 SJ board that worked fine. I used 22 NiMH rechargeable AAA cells, center tapped (22 AA cells won’t fit into pod). At the time, 800 mah was the best capacity I could find. Latest I’ve seen now have 850 mah capacity. I used a couple of old surplus 15 v laptop chargers to charge them. Charge tapered to zero current when 15 v was reached but I included a small rheostat in the circuit to keep the initial charge rate down to around 200 mah- higher would have shortened cell life. 800 mah doesn’t sound like much, but when you think about AAA alkaline cells being at best around 2200 mah and how long you get from them, 850 mah will do fine for one day’s diving. Beats the hell out of constantly building alkaline packs- especially if you have a high draw solenoid. Order the cells w/ tabs spot welded on to make things a lot easier. In some of the old Navy MK15 manuals they talked a bit about rechargeable packs. IIRC they restricted them to training dives only, but those were ancient technology, low capacity NiCad packs w/ all the ‘memory’ issues, etc. Have fun- Ken __________________ "Entropy RULES! Enjoy the interim."
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16th March 2007, 10:59	#3 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,689	Re: Batteries Or use the 3 volt AA sized Lithium disposables with (2) 6-cell AA battery holders glued back to back. Stick 'em into the holders, dive until they are dead, and then toss 'em and install new. Saves soldering anyhow. Dave __________________ "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same".... www.nobubblediving.com
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26th March 2007, 02:27	#4 (permalink)
teksimple Enlightened Alpinist Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back in Hawaii Posts: 502	Re: Batteries Or get a Hammerhead. One alkaline AA battery a dive. Use an Energizer 1.5v lithium for a big dive or a Saft 3.6V for a week-long trip.
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5th April 2007, 03:47	#5 (permalink)
Carls New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other CCR Dolphin Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Other SCR Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 7	Re: Batteries Quote: (Originally Posted by Greg Hodge) Guys, This may have been discussed previously so I apologise if I am dredging up old issues. I am relatively new to the Mk15.5 and rebreathers generally - I got my Mk15.5 last October. I am currently building my own battery packs - 18 AAs glued and soldered together. I have made up a simple test box to plug in and check the polarity and voltage once built. I guess this is relatively simple but I am thinking to make this a bit easier with a rechargeable system. I have perused the previous battery discussion in this Mk15 forum thats discusses some options or at least different battery configs. Has anyone come up with a rechargeable battery pack configuration and charger? What batteries are used? What charger? Thanks Greg Hi Greg, Go to Radio Shack and buy two 8 cell AA holders (the short version). They fit in the battery compartment and it is easy to change out batteries. Regards, Carl
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7th April 2007, 21:59	#6 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,689	Re: Batteries Hey Carl! Welcome aboard! We know who you are..... Have you run the old pods and solenoids off of 16 rather than 18 batteries? Thanks for the play time with the IR Camera... I want one! Dave __________________ "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same".... www.nobubblediving.com
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11th April 2007, 00:28	#7 (permalink)
Carls New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other CCR Dolphin Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Other SCR Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 7	Re: Batteries Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) Hey Carl! Welcome aboard! We know who you are..... Have you run the old pods and solenoids off of 16 rather than 18 batteries? Thanks for the play time with the IR Camera... I want one! Dave Hi Dave, Yes, the old pod worked fine on 16 alkalines (24 vdc) and using the readily available Radio Shack battery holders comes in real handy when you don't tighten the vent screw all the way down and you need to rebuild your battery pack in under an hour........not that I would know firsthand. You're welcome, send a check .......don't bother to fill in the numbers, I'll take care of that for you. The camera was a true Thermal imaging system 7-14 microns, .1 degree C sensitivity. It can certainly keep anybody from sneaking up on you , even in total darkness.
(Offline)

11th April 2007, 00:51	#8 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,689	Re: Batteries Quote: (Originally Posted by Carls) Hi Dave, Yes, the old pod worked fine on 16 alkalines (24 vdc) and using the readily available Radio Shack battery holders comes in real handy when you don't tighten the vent screw all the way down and you need to rebuild your battery pack in under an hour........not that I would know firsthand. You're welcome, send a check .......don't bother to fill in the numbers, I'll take care of that for you. The camera was a true Thermal imaging system 7-14 microns, .1 degree C sensitivity. It can certainly keep anybody from sneaking up on you , even in total darkness. Thanks Buddy..... I'll make up a trial pack and see how it goes. The camera was useful to tell... err.... naah: Not gonna say.... Dave __________________ "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same".... www.nobubblediving.com
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21st April 2007, 05:57	#9 (permalink)
Hootis New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Megalodon MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 27	Re: Batteries Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) Or use the 3 volt AA sized Lithium disposables with (2) 6-cell AA battery holders glued back to back. Stick 'em into the holders, dive until they are dead, and then toss 'em and install new. Saves soldering anyhow. Dave Dave, Will the old analog electronics handle 36v? Hows the battery life with this setup? Ryan
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21st April 2007, 21:12	#10 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,689	Re: Batteries Quote: (Originally Posted by Hootis) Dave, Will the old analog electronics handle 36v? Hows the battery life with this setup? Ryan Dunno about 36V, I would not try it with my (precious) pods... The Lithiums seem to be "OK" for use with a digital pod and old solenoid, but I've not had a load of experience with them (yet). I'll be using it all summer though, so we'll know for sure "soon". Carl has the best idea though, and that's to simply use (16) AA's in 2 8-cell packs and just run the thing a few volts low. Ought to not affect it at all. Dave __________________ "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same".... www.nobubblediving.com
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