HP41 Series Rechargeable Batteries?

[TomC]

Hello:

Can you share your experience(s) positive/negative with respect to rechargeable batteries for the HP41 - ideally that operate with the HP41 charger?

Thanks,
TomC
ps: Pun was unintended!!!

[Moggul]

I just replaced the batteries in my original rechargeable pack with 4 1/3 AAA batteries. I openen the pack with a X-Acto knife and then soldered the new ones to the metal tabs.

So far they do thier job but I have not tried to recharge them yet.

[hth]

I used the original rechargeable pack back in early eighties. 5-10 years later I switched to rechargeable N cells in the ordinary battery holder and that is what I still use.

The advantage of the original pack was that you could keep it in the HP-41 all the time. I usually charged it every Sunday. These packs are no longer made and you need some work to rebuild one. It has lower capacity compared to N cells in the battery holder and need to be charged more frequently, but it is not bad with a weekly charge (with heavy calculator use).

Using N cells in the battery holder will last longer and is easier to replace. You need to take them out and it is a good idea to have additional batteries (or use alkaline batteries while charging). You also need to find a suitable charger.

I prefer the separate N cells as they last longer and there are no need to rebuild battery packs every five years. In some way it also depends on what batteries you can actually find. Both solutions work.

[Sylvain Cote]

I am using rechargeable NiMH 600 mAh N size (ex.: EBL, ODEC, etc) and recharging them with an intelligent charger (ex.: BC1000, etc.).

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(02-02-2020 12:09 AM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  I am using rechargeable NiMH 600 mAh N size (ex.: EBL, ODEC, etc) and recharging them with an intelligent charger (ex.: BC1000, etc.).

Ditto.

[damaltor]

I replaced mine with NiCd cells. The pack works fine but needs fairly frequent recharging, especially when using the card reader. Other than that i really like it.

[Sylvain Cote]

(02-03-2020 12:45 PM)damaltor Wrote:  I replaced mine with NiCd cells. The pack works fine but needs fairly frequent recharging, especially when using the card reader. Other than that i really like it.

Yeah I agree, the card reader is a killer of rechargeable cells, that is why I always got several charged sets and swap them as needed.