Servocat/Stellarcat hand controller

[The Mekon]

Has anyone else had battery problems with their Stellarcat hand controller? My unit failed just over 12 months ago, batteries dead, Had to order the BR2325 batteries from USA as could not find in Aus. Now I find one of the little batteries has failed again, and I hardly use the hand controller. Also both times the failed battery had reversed polarity, ie, it had not degraded below 3v, but was reading -0.5V!
It does not help that you cannot turn these controllers off - so they must be drawing some current at all times.
Any information would be helpful

[dimithri86]

I think CR2325 might be the equivalent battery for this.
http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/info/coin-cell-cross-reference

You should be able to find them in Aus

[The Mekon]

Yes CR2325 are equivalent but try and find them is Aus! The link was to a US supplier.

[bojan]

ebay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC 0.H0.Xcr2325.TRS0&_nkw=cr2325&_sacat=0

I would try in Chinese shops.. sometimes you can find there all sorts of batteries in single package for couple of bucks...
Btw, 2325 means 23mm diameter, 2.5mm thick.
That means you could try with slightly thinner of thicker battery. The only important thing is the voltage (3V).
You can even use external supply (if desperate..)

[gary]

Hi John,

Master Instruments Pty Ltd, Marrickville NSW
Phone: 02 9519 1200
http://www.master-instruments.com.au/

Search on BR2325 and you will get hits both for Panasonic & Renata -
http://www.master-instruments.com.au/products/54886/BR2325.html
http://www.master-instruments.com.au/products/61975/BR2325-BP5(P).html
http://www.master-instruments.com.au/products/54912/CR2325(R).html

[The Mekon]

Thanks Gary for the local source of batteries - will be good for next time.
The batteries from USA are only $8.30 posted so cheap.

The question I come back to is has anyone else experienced short battery life for these hand controllers. And not being able to turn them off consumes how much power?

[gary]

Gary Myers at StellarCAT (http://www.stellarcat.com/) writes -

[The Mekon]

Now I understand. Thanks Gary & Gary - I think both the ArgoNavis and Servocat are terrific products and clearly with great support!