GME EPIRB battery replacement.

[GILow]

I am confused. Where did you see NiMh? The batteries I found were Lithium.

Matt


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[Wotname]

^^ Hellosailor makes a good point!

Matt, check that the batteries you found aren't the rechargeable version of the CR123A.

CR123A can be Alkaline, non-rehargeable Li or rechargeable Li.

I have only ever used the non-rechargable Li ones and they were bludi expensive. I would be sure that is what the GME MT403 uses since Matt has opened his unit up!

Some more info here http://cr123.com.au

[Wotname]

Here is a cheap one CR123A Battery – EagleTac Premium CR123A Battery | Elite Outdoor Gear

But for an EPIRB, I would be buying a few and running a discharge test on a couple first

[hellosailor]

Originally Posted by GILow

I am confused. Where did you see NiMh?

As mentioned in msg#2. I didn't see them, but that post said they were out there.

In the US, a couple of the leading battery companies are claiming 10-12 years and longer for shelf life on alkalines, which could make Li primaries a moot point. Especially since Li primaries apparently have a very low power (current) output.

But until I get a five year period without seeing alkalines leaking well before expiry date...I sure as hell won't trust them. AFAIK the CR123 was supposed to be lithium (but isn't always, caveat emptor) while the CR123A is an alkaline version. Either one is supposed to provide high impulse power (high current) for camera flashes and the like, last I heard. And while the drugstores may want $5 each for them, some of the brand names are available on the web for more like $1.50 each, by the dozen.


Really...I'm supposed to blithely pay $10 for 8 AA or AAA cells? Has West Marine taken over the drugstore and hardware bigbox businesses, in secret?

[GILow]

Nope, I am definitely being supplied with lithium based batteries. Panasonic, lithium manganese dioxide for the battery geeks out there. Any concerns with that particular chemistry?

Matt


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[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

Nope, I am definitely being supplied with lithium based batteries. Panasonic,mLithium manganese dioxide for the battery geeks out there. Any concerns with that particular chemistry?

Matt


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Hopefully not these Panasonic Li ones PANASONIC CR123A Battery, Discount CR123A Digital Camera Battery by BatteriesMall

Note their low capacity and presumably short shelf life!

[Wotname]

More like these but with tabs
http://au.element14.com/varta/620521...85580000146366

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Here is a cheap one CR123A Battery – EagleTac Premium CR123A Battery | Elite Outdoor Gear



But for an EPIRB, I would be buying a few and running a discharge test on a couple first

Hmm... Velly cheep! Thank you for the link but I reckon I might just go the 100% markup and stick with Panasonic who, for better or worse, I trust.



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[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

More like these but with tabs

http://au.element14.com/varta/620521...85580000146366

Yes, Varta was what was in there. Good brand from what I have read.


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[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

Hmm... Velly cheep! Thank you for the link but I reckon I might just go the 100% markup and stick with Panasonic who, for better or worse, I trust.



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Concur

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

Yes, Varta was what was in there. Good brand from what I have read.


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Also concur

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Hopefully not these Panasonic Li ones PANASONIC CR123A Battery, Discount CR123A Digital Camera Battery by BatteriesMall



Note their low capacity and presumably short shelf life!

Eek! That's nasty.

Here is what I am installing. Note the lack of tabs, these will be attached by the supplier. This is included in the price.

http://www.master-instruments.com.au...3A%20Bulk.html




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[hellosailor]

Varta and Panasonic are both prime names in batteries. But with web merchants...I noticed the mall said "Panasonic blah blah...replacement batteries" and in Colonial English, that could very well mean "Oh, these are replacements for the Panasonic batteries" which does NOT mean they are actually made by Panasonic.


Internet merchants have a lot of fun with outright counterfeits and other battery games. High profit, very hard to be sure of what you get, unless you know the source or the product. (i.e. Look at ultrafire.net for their lithium rechargeable cells, then look at literally ALL the "genuine ultrafire" batteries sold on eBay and Amazon. Last time I looked, everyone one of ones listed was the wrong color, wrong voltage, wrong capacity, none matched the genuine product except for one. And that merchant shipped an entirely different brand, claiming "Oh, we've had problems with...these are better."


Unless the Australian dollar has dropped to about twenty US cents...twelve bucks for a tiny little battery like that is still obscene. Unless it is made in Germany (Varta's home) and hand-delivered by courier, with gift wrapping.

[GILow]

Welcome to shopping in Australia. This is why, when I last visited the States, I had a shopping list a mile long.

I have very fond memories of REI in Palo Alto and the 5 mile mall in Oakland. Funnily enough, I reckon they might have fond memories of me too.



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[GILow]

Whoo hoo! The SA1G arrived today. Uglier than the photo!