You didn't say if you got Wein cells or hearing aid batteries. It's
probably plenty bothersome but you can extend the battery life by
re-covering the air holes when the batteries are not in use. But as I
recall uncovering the holes doesn't give you instant power. You have to
wait a while until the batteries "boot up".
I also seem to recall that Wein cells last longer than hearing aid
batteries by virtue of having fewer air holes. I suppose you could
reduce the number of air holes in hearing aid batteries but that would
probably be fussy work to do so without introducing an insulator between
the batteries.
Chuck Norcutt
On 7/16/2012 5:48 PM, Chris Trask wrote:
>>
>> You should read this: <http://www.buhla.de/Foto/batt-adapt-US.pdf>
>> It will tell you everything you ever wanted to know (and maybe more)
>> about means of working around the mercury battery problem. Zinc-air
>> cells are discussed on page 2. Pay particular attention to the problem
>> (and solutions) of stacking zinc-air cells because they require air to
>> reach the holes punched into the case for air to enter. The Wein cell
>> (specialized non-hearing aid zinc-air battery) is also discussed.
>>
>
> I got the zinc-air batteries in the mail today and popped a couple into
> a Luna Pro exposure meter. I had made a nylon sleeve for the smaller
> diameter yesterday, and the batteries slipped in as nicely as you could ask.
> Turned on the battery test switch and the needle fell inside the bounds of
> the test mark, just inside the high end. Went outside and tested on some
> mentally known exposure levels and it came out just right. Later I'll test
> it with the spot meter attachment to see if it has been worth the effort and
> expense, as little as either has been.
>
> This was a lot easier than taking the meter apart and adding a diode.
> Now I just need to wait and see how long these batteries last. At 75¢ each
> they're a lot less expensive than buying a conversion kit from Gossen. In
> the meantime, I have an idea for my own drop-in converter that will allow
> the use of the higher voltage silver-oxide batteries.
>
> Chris
>
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