Making Odd Sized Batteries

[Daniel Unkefer]

Making Odd Sized Batteries by Nokton48, on Flickr

I just unearthed these two Calumet Flash Meters in my studio, and I'd like to get them going again. Thirty years ago I went to Batteries Plus, and they built these custom batteries for me, which worked great! Inside the cardboard tube is four Number 344 batteries, soldered together with tabs. I called Batteries Plus and they really don't do stuff like this anymore.

I think I can get 344's or equivalent, where do I get the soldering tabs? I can do the work and I really see no need to pay someone to do this. Any tricks from you Guys out there to constructing these Odd Sized Batteries?

The 344 1.55V looks like a standard watch battery, easy to get. Can prolly get them at the local grocery store

[rjbuzzclick]

You should be able to find batteries with attached solder tabs online.


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[ic-racer]

I have cut solder tabs out of thin brass.

[Darren Kruger]

I think I can get 344's or equivalent, where do I get the soldering tabs? I can do the work and I really see no need to pay someone to do this. Any tricks from you Guys out there to constructing these Odd Sized Batteries?

I got a bunch of nickel plate strips from Amazon for a non-camera project with NiCad AAs a while ago (never used them.) In researching the topic, you need to be careful as you shouldn't use a regular soldering iron to attach them. If you do, you might heat up the internals of the battery which would result in "bad things" happening. I think spot welding is the recommended way but I have also seen references to using a high power soldering iron.

I just did a search on batteries for Calumat Flash Meters and found a reference to the M-100s using PX23 batteries. I was able to find an Excell S23PX (Silver Oxide batter) online. Have you looked to see if this would work for your meters?

-Darren

[Daniel Unkefer]

I got a bunch of nickel plate strips from Amazon for a non-camera project with NiCad AAs a while ago (never used them.) In researching the topic, you need to be careful as you shouldn't use a regular soldering iron to attach them. If you do, you might heat up the internals of the battery which would result in "bad things" happening. I think spot welding is the recommended way but I have also seen references to using a high power soldering iron.

I just did a search on batteries for Calumat Flash Meters and found a reference to the M-100s using PX23 batteries. I was able to find an Excell S23PX (Silver Oxide batter) online. Have you looked to see if this would work for your meters?-Darren

Thanks Darren!
I will check that S23PX out

[Daniel Unkefer]

Looks like I need some of this for various projects, so I ordered here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17363039662...53.m2749.l2649

[Daniel Unkefer]

I ordered four S23PX's and twenty 344's so I am all set for a while.

[maltfalc]

skip the soldering and the sketchy glue, just place them in the tube and use the tabs attached to the ends folded in a zigzag to keep the cells pressed together.

[Jody_S]

I don't electrically fasten them. I clean them with alcohol, stack them and wrap them in tape. Never had any trouble, have used Yashica rangefinders this way until the batteries died. As a plus, I can wrap LR44s with tape to make them whatever diameter I need. I adjust the length by adding a piece of aluminum dowel cut to size. Yes I know that causes a reaction between the two metals and a buildup of corrosion that will eventually break contact. It's never been a problem in practice. Yes a length of brass would be better, but I had an aluminum dowel the right size sitting beside my desk.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Right Thanks Guys. The conductive glue I will use for some other projects. Even a wad of aluminum foil has worked for me in the past to make batteries fit tightly in a battery chamber. I'm sure I'll make it work. I can cut metal very precisely now so that's a good option too