A Spicey Question - with pictures added

[MinkLib]

This morning, while taking the case apart on my (mid 1979, soldered version) HP33E, the following part fell out (picture). Can anyone tell me its purpose and where it goes?

cheers,
Chris.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/pHx9HQcp

[rprosperi]

It appears your photos were not posted properly, they are not appearing in the post.

[EdS2]

Looks like a flat shiny silver-coloured piece of metal, aspect ratio about 5:1, serrated on the long edges and with a rectangular hole punched in the middle. About 7/8 of an imperial inch in length.

[MinkLib]

Could it just be a piece of unrelated metal, accidentally left in since 1979 assembly?
No evidence that the calculator has ever been opened before.

[AndiGer]

My guess: it was used on the opposite side of the battery connectors to bridge the battery poles on the right side if you look into the battery compartment. Probably?
Andi

[Steve Simpkin]

(11-12-2023 06:48 PM)AndiGer Wrote:  My guess: it was used on the opposite side of the battery connectors to bridge the battery poles on the right side if you look into the battery compartment. Probably?
Andi

This sounds likely. They probably lost the original special battery clip that held the batteries together and also connected both batteries in series.
https://www.keesvandersanden.nl/calculat..._bat_4.jpg

[MinkLib]

Thanks folks.
I think you've cracked it.
Since I'm upgrading to a TEENIX Spice board with a LiPo battery, not needed anyway.
Chris.