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cheap batteries-why don't I listen to my own advice

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Last Post by john-hamilton 9 years ago

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john-hamilton

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I have always had a policy of buying good equipment and supplies, even if it costs more. I have a saying that I say to my wife (who is mexican) when she tries to buy something cheap...el barato sale caro (roughly translated means cheap stuff winds up being expensive).

I have in the past bought relatively expensive batteries for our R8's, 5700's, R7's, etc.Around $75/each. I decided recently to go cheap. Bought some online, under $30, figured how much different can they be? The good ones are all made in China, so are the cheap ones. Well, apparently the cheap ones are ever so slightly out of tolerance in the dimensions of the battery. If I jar the R8 at all, it turns off, I have to open and close the battery door several times before it will turn on again. Same thing in the charger, I really need to make sure they are seated correctly. And they don't last ear as long even though the Ah is the actually more. I label all my batteries with a number and a date purchased. I brought 3 new ones on this trip, and an old one dated May 2010. That one works flawlessly, and lasts much longer than the new ones.

So, lesson learned, don't buy cheap stuff.

FYI: good one (bought in 2010): Empire BLI-TRB1 for Trimble 7.4V 2200 mAh
cheap ones: Cameron Sino CS-L1XL (which was advertised as being for Trimble), 7.4V 2600 mAh

Posted : November 8, 2017 6:58 pm

bill93

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Sounds like a judicious application of tape might improve the dimensions.

Posted : November 8, 2017 7:13 pm

john-hamilton

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In the old days a matchpack would do the trick, but who carries matchpacks anymore?

That is a good suggestion, if I put some black electrical tape around it that should make it a tighter fit. In any case they last much less even though advertised as higher capacity.

Posted : November 8, 2017 7:22 pm

john-hamilton

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A related question...does anyone else "test" their batteries at intervals? We run sessions outside the office every couple of months with all of the numbered batteries to see how long each will last. Easy to do, just download the receiver after each session runs to power fail and then look at the start/stop times. We keep a record in a book and toss the batteries when they start lasting less time.

Posted : November 8, 2017 7:24 pm

jaro

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I check the voltage on some of my batteries and the ones that are getting weak will have a lower voltage after a charge than the others. I put a red dot sticker on those with the voltage. It's mostly the older nicad radio batteries and drill batteries.

Posted : November 8, 2017 7:44 pm

jhframe

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John Hamilton, post: 454608, member: 640 wrote: The good ones are all made in China, so are the cheap ones.

Which is the reason I don't understand why the battery manufacturer can't sell the same quality battery off-brand for less than the branded version. You have to figure that Trimble, Leica, et al are adding a substantial markup.

Posted : November 8, 2017 8:00 pm

Jon Collins

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Empire batteries have always treated me right. But, If you run into an old version of them with blue writing, don't use them in robotic target, they are too big. A few years ago they went to black and white writing and they are fine.

Posted : November 8, 2017 8:39 pm

sjc1989

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US importers are wise to their ways. They spec higher tolerances and since China wants the business they can and will make them that way. They do charge the middleman a little more for them, but trust me he recoups it.

Maintaining the difference in quality is actually GREAT marketing. The strategy satisfies two human purchasing fetishes:
1) I want the cheapest
2) I need the best!

Brilliant.

Steve

Posted : November 9, 2017 10:10 am