From: mike wilson
John Sessoms wrote:
> Semi-OT anyway ... I use these with my Pentax cameras.
>
> I've got a Quantum Battery 1+ that I think the battery is dead or
> discharged in storage until the battery is unrecoverable.
>
> It won't turn on, but the charging light & all the power leds light up
> when the charger is plugged in.
>
> It takes a 6v 2.5ah sealed lead acid battery unit that looks like three
> D-cells soldered together and shrink wrapped.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2epvegu
>
> Batteries Plus here in Raleigh can get the individual cells, connect
> them up and shrink wrap them to make a replacement. Probably cost around
> $30.00 ... replacement power pack is going to be at least $150 if I can
> even find one used. I don't think they make these any more.
>
> But I was wondering ...
>
> Is there any reason I can't replace that battery with a larger capacity
> Gel Cell if I can find one that will fit inside the case? If a 6v 4ah
> battery will fit in the case, could I safely use that in place of the
> the 6v 2.5ah battery.
>
> No warranty issues, these are OLD power packs. But I'd prefer not to
> burn up the circuitry.
My understanding is that "dry" (ie gel, glass mat and all the other
sorts) lead-acid cells require greater currents for charging than the
plain vanilla version. You may want to do some serious research before
taking the plunge. FWIW it seems likely that the cells would not charge
if the circuitry was inadequate, rather than some damage being done to
the electronics.
Looking into it further, the existing battery is made up from 3-2V 2.5ah
glass mat cells (sealed lead acid) series-ed together to make the 6V
battery. They're the size of D-cell disposables, but have connection
tabs on the top.
http://www.enersysreservepower.com/scpf.asp?routine=scpf
What you're saying is ... *IF* I substitute 3-2V 4.5ah cells it might
not charge quite as efficiently, but the risk of actually damaging the
charger is low?
And a gel cell is just a different way of sealing the electrolyte into
the battery, i.e. gelled rather than glass mat. They're both sealed lead
acid batteries and have similar charging characteristics.
Similar enough that the risk to the electronics is minimal?
I understand that if I try this and it doesn't work, *I* am the one who
is screwing it up.
It may be moot, because as I research this, I'm not sure the higher
amp-hour battery will fit in the case without modification. Plus, it
just occurred to me that I haven't really ruled out the possibility the
problem is a defective on/off switch.
The back story is I picked up two of these Quantum battery packs about 2
years ago complete with wall warts & adapters for the Vivitar 285 flash
for about $50 apiece, and they've been sitting in my closet ever since
because I didn't room to set up a studio.
Now that I'm back in school, I'm going to be staying in an apartment
during the week and I've got a large living/dining room combination with
NO FURNITURE ... perfect for me to set up my light stands and all the
other studio stuff I've been accumulating with no place to use.
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