Messages

1

5x00 Hardware / Converting Z To Use Std Digital Camera Battery

« on: August 15, 2005, 03:33:14 pm »

oops. sorry about the above. fingers too quick on the keyboard.....
Marty ---- I want to do what you did with the FLNP120 ---- is it still working?? My Z 5500 battery no longer holds a charge and like you I am reluctant to pay nearly 50 euros for a replacement. Is it possible to dumb your explanation down a little and provide more detail? I don't like messing around in batteries and, though happy to solder, I don't understand what you mean.
Thanks.

2

5x00 Hardware / Converting Z To Use Std Digital Camera Battery

« on: August 15, 2005, 03:27:32 pm »

I wanted to have much better battery life as possible and I could only get this with a much bigger battery so I decided to go down the modified battery route.

I've gone for an Energizer FLNP120 3.7 v 1800MAH.
It only cost £17.28 including tax(we call it vat in the UK) and shipping.

First thing I did was cut it out of the plastic case to get proper access to the contacts and to reduce it in size a little. (This is because its too tight a fit with the plastic case on).
You then need to tape the opposite end of the bare metal battery case with insulating tape as this end is going to take the new contacts.
Take some thin copper sheet (buy from a craft shop) and cut three copper strips
which you bend into a u shape and fit over the taped end for your new contacts.
Before you can tape the new contacts into place you need to solder wires from the battery contacts on the little exposed PCB on the other end of the battery (the pcb contains the charge protection circuit)

Position the newly wired contacts onto the taped end of the battery and tape them in position. Tape over the end of the battery with the pcb contacts and tape down the wires and you have a new battery. The tape and the new contacts will make the battery a snug fit in the z case - just be carefull your new contacts line up ok with the terminals in the Z.

Had I used the smaller 1000mah battery I'am sure I would be able to put the cover back on but the 1800 mah battery is about 10mm thick (even without its plastic case) so I had to make a new cover. I cut out a new cover from the copper sheet and insulated the inside with tape. I then taped it in position over the battery by applying (black) tape around the edges.

I see how this cover goes. Physically I think it looks fine.It has a little bulge at the back but not too bad. I may refine its looks later but I hardly notice it as it is at the back of the Z.I dont expect to have to access the battery for a long time so I am not worried about the use of the tape.
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