Hmm....Battery question?

windymiller · 7th February 2008, 16:06

Now, I m not a genius when it comes to electronics..I can change a plug, bulb etc but past that electronics fly right over my head!

It is my understanding that the meg electronics need 7.2v to operate...Therefore, if I had 2 3.6v batteries of any description, wired together they should power the electronics..

I have seen plenty of 3.6v camera batteries and if they fit in the battery box, surely they should work?

Is this correct or my vaste knowledge of electronics starting to shine through?

Would they be wired in series or parallel?

**wedivebc** · 7th February 2008, 18:38

Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller)

Now, I m not a genius when it comes to electronics..I can change a plug, bulb etc but past that electronics fly right over my head!

It is my understanding that the meg electronics need 7.2v to operate...Therefore, if I had 2 3.6v batteries of any description, wired together they should power the electronics..

I have seen plenty of 3.6v camera batteries and if they fit in the battery box, surely they should work?

Is this correct or my vaste knowledge of electronics starting to shine through?

Would they be wired in series or parallel?

People frequently wire 2 3.6v batteries in series for the meg. It will work with anything from 5.5 to 10 volts but I would be careful about going much over 9 and rechargables are not recommended.

Gilles · 7th February 2008, 22:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller)

It is my understanding that the meg electronics need 7.2v to operate...Therefore, if I had 2 3.6v batteries of any description, wired together they should power the electronics..

I have seen plenty of 3.6v camera batteries and if they fit in the battery box, surely they should work?

Would they be wired in series or parallel?

As mentioned above, the Meg takes a range between 6 and 10 V, thus allowing a range of options.

When you wire batteries in series ('+' to '-'), you add their potential (i.e. 3.6 + 3.6=7.2) but charge capacity (i.e. duration) remains the same. So in this case, you add the battery potential to get within the range you want.

When you wire in parallell ('+' to '+' and '-' to '-'), the capacity is doubled whilst mainatining the same potential as the cells your using.

So the next issue is reliably connecting these together the way desired. If you have the proper tak welding gear, you can make great battery welds without frying cells, or... like me you can hot solder the cells together which at times can be life threatening.

Another possible option is illustrated here
http://www.rebreatherworld.com/offic...effective.html

using parallelled 9V cells. This is a low duration (~6 hours primary) option but also has a nice predictable voltage depletion with use.

Cheers

windymiller · 7th February 2008, 23:09

Thanks for that.. Has anybody tried these soldering irons that are cold to the touch and dont give off excessive heat?

I got one from Maplins for exactly this purpose, I havent tried it yet though!.....Gotta find some batteries!!!

sensor330 · 7th February 2008, 23:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller)

Thanks for that.. Has anybody tried these soldering irons that are cold to the touch and dont give off excessive heat?

I got one from Maplins for exactly this purpose, I havent tried it yet though!.....Gotta find some batteries!!!

I've been soldering my batties for a while now. My local battery store sells 3.6v C cell saft batteries with solder tabs. After you make a few its pretty easy. The only advice I'll give you is do it hot and fast.

Scott

windymiller · 7th February 2008, 23:27

it seems getting hold of c cell 3.6v batteries is difficult in the UK...unless i m looking in the wrong places...

netmage · 7th February 2008, 23:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller)

it seems getting hold of c cell 3.6v batteries is difficult in the UK...unless i m looking in the wrong places...

SAFT or Tenergy directly should point you to local distributors...

Neil Miller
Saft Ltd
River Drive
South Shields - Tyne & Wear
NE33 2TR
South Shields
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel.:+44 191 497 4701
Fax.:+44 191 456 8256
neil.miller@saftbatteries.com
------------------------------

Tenergy Corporation

Address: 1292 Kifer Road, Unit 807 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 USA
Email: service@tenergybattery.comTelephone: 001-(408)739-2833 Fax: 001-(408)739-2081

Gilles · 8th February 2008, 05:04

Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller)

Thanks for that.. Has anybody tried these soldering irons that are cold to the touch and dont give off excessive heat?

I got one from Maplins for exactly this purpose, I havent tried it yet though!.....Gotta find some batteries!!!

If you solder your own batteries, make sure you test the integrity of the weld somehow. I check that the weld holds the weight of the battery pack. I once had my primary do its initiation sequence on the bottom of a 60m dive

.

Solder tabs as mentioned above are a good idea

if you can get them.

It's a good idea to get a multimeter to measure the cell and pack voltage before making use of it. Ohh and be very careful to get the polarity right

, before plugging the pack into your Meg.

7th February 2008, 16:06	#1 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 223	Hmm....Battery question? Now, I m not a genius when it comes to electronics..I can change a plug, bulb etc but past that electronics fly right over my head! It is my understanding that the meg electronics need 7.2v to operate...Therefore, if I had 2 3.6v batteries of any description, wired together they should power the electronics.. I have seen plenty of 3.6v camera batteries and if they fit in the battery box, surely they should work? Is this correct or my vaste knowledge of electronics starting to shine through? Would they be wired in series or parallel?
(Offline)

7th February 2008, 18:38	#2 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,355	Re: Hmm....Battery question? Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller) Now, I m not a genius when it comes to electronics..I can change a plug, bulb etc but past that electronics fly right over my head! It is my understanding that the meg electronics need 7.2v to operate...Therefore, if I had 2 3.6v batteries of any description, wired together they should power the electronics.. I have seen plenty of 3.6v camera batteries and if they fit in the battery box, surely they should work? Is this correct or my vaste knowledge of electronics starting to shine through? Would they be wired in series or parallel? People frequently wire 2 3.6v batteries in series for the meg. It will work with anything from 5.5 to 10 volts but I would be careful about going much over 9 and rechargables are not recommended. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
(Offline)

7th February 2008, 22:01	#3 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 761	Re: Hmm....Battery question? Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller) It is my understanding that the meg electronics need 7.2v to operate...Therefore, if I had 2 3.6v batteries of any description, wired together they should power the electronics.. I have seen plenty of 3.6v camera batteries and if they fit in the battery box, surely they should work? Would they be wired in series or parallel? As mentioned above, the Meg takes a range between 6 and 10 V, thus allowing a range of options. When you wire batteries in series ('+' to '-'), you add their potential (i.e. 3.6 + 3.6=7.2) but charge capacity (i.e. duration) remains the same. So in this case, you add the battery potential to get within the range you want. When you wire in parallell ('+' to '+' and '-' to '-'), the capacity is doubled whilst mainatining the same potential as the cells your using. So the next issue is reliably connecting these together the way desired. If you have the proper tak welding gear, you can make great battery welds without frying cells, or... like me you can hot solder the cells together which at times can be life threatening. Another possible option is illustrated here http://www.rebreatherworld.com/offic...effective.html using parallelled 9V cells. This is a low duration (~6 hours primary) option but also has a nice predictable voltage depletion with use. Cheers __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
(Online)

7th February 2008, 23:09	#4 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 223	Re: Hmm....Battery question? Thanks for that.. Has anybody tried these soldering irons that are cold to the touch and dont give off excessive heat? I got one from Maplins for exactly this purpose, I havent tried it yet though!.....Gotta find some batteries!!!
(Offline)

7th February 2008, 23:20	#5 (permalink)
sensor330 Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 549	Re: Hmm....Battery question? Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller) Thanks for that.. Has anybody tried these soldering irons that are cold to the touch and dont give off excessive heat? I got one from Maplins for exactly this purpose, I havent tried it yet though!.....Gotta find some batteries!!! I've been soldering my batties for a while now. My local battery store sells 3.6v C cell saft batteries with solder tabs. After you make a few its pretty easy. The only advice I'll give you is do it hot and fast. Scott
(Offline)

7th February 2008, 23:27	#6 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 223	Re: Hmm....Battery question? it seems getting hold of c cell 3.6v batteries is difficult in the UK...unless i m looking in the wrong places...
(Offline)

7th February 2008, 23:45	#7 (permalink)
netmage Hello Kitty...... Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 343	Re: Hmm....Battery question? Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller) it seems getting hold of c cell 3.6v batteries is difficult in the UK...unless i m looking in the wrong places... SAFT or Tenergy directly should point you to local distributors... Neil Miller Saft Ltd River Drive South Shields - Tyne & Wear NE33 2TR South Shields UNITED KINGDOM Tel.:+44 191 497 4701 Fax.:+44 191 456 8256 neil.miller@saftbatteries.com ------------------------------ Tenergy Corporation Address: 1292 Kifer Road, Unit 807 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 USA Email: service@tenergybattery.comTelephone: 001-(408)739-2833 Fax: 001-(408)739-2081
(Offline)

8th February 2008, 05:04	#8 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 761	Re: Hmm....Battery question? Quote: (Originally Posted by windymiller) Thanks for that.. Has anybody tried these soldering irons that are cold to the touch and dont give off excessive heat? I got one from Maplins for exactly this purpose, I havent tried it yet though!.....Gotta find some batteries!!! If you solder your own batteries, make sure you test the integrity of the weld somehow. I check that the weld holds the weight of the battery pack. I once had my primary do its initiation sequence on the bottom of a 60m dive. Solder tabs as mentioned above are a good idea if you can get them. It's a good idea to get a multimeter to measure the cell and pack voltage before making use of it. Ohh and be very careful to get the polarity right, before plugging the pack into your Meg. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
(Online)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode