Servocat/Stellarcat hand controller

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

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 (Dimithri)]

I think CR2325 might be the equivalent battery for this.
http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/inf...ross-reference

You should be able to find them in Aus

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Originally Posted by dimithri86

I think CR2325 might be the equivalent battery for this.
http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/inf...ross-reference

You should be able to find them in Aus

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?_f...r2325&_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...86/BR2325.html
http://www.master-instruments.com.au...25-BP5(P).html
http://www.master-instruments.com.au...CR2325(R).html

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

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]

Originally Posted by The Mekon

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 Myers at StellarCAT writes -

Originally Posted by Gary Myers, StellarCAT

Hello John,

The older style Hand Pad has a designed in AutoOFF circuit. When off it is completely off! I’ve had one sit for 3 years with no use and still work fine and have had batteries last 5 years under normal usage! The key is if any of the buttons are pushed it will turn on – and if the button continues to be pushed the batteries will go dead in weeks! So when it is stored store it in a box such that the buttons cannot be pushed. They should last a very long time. The proper batteries are BR2325. The numbers specify the size of the battery – this being a 2.3mm thickness 25mm diameter battery – the CR2325 one would think is the same – its not. It is slightly thinner! I’ve seen problems where the contact arm doesn’t reliably make contact. What I’ve suggested to people is to get a small piece of aluminum foil and fold it – then slip it under the arm and on top of the top cell.

Gary Myers
StellarCAT

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

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