Morning
Does anyone have a reliable source they have used, other than Leica, for the GEB 221 batteries? I used to use the local Batteries+ store but I just found out that they can get them anymore.
The ones I have for my TCRP 1205 robot are getting a little old and need to be replaced.
Thanks and Happy New Year.
Bob
Why not just use Leica. They are more expensive but last longer than the off brand.
I just bought a new battery GEB 221 from Leica Florida dealer for $153 and I think the original Leica battery much better then any other brand.
Greg
Bob,
I know I am biased about Leica but you will be better of by just getting the Leica batteries. Some of the after market batteries do not have the monitoring chip built into the battery like the Leica batteries do. This will cause bad battery charge readings and may affect the performance of the battery and instrument in colder and hotter temperature environments.
I have personally had some Leica GEB221 batteries for 5 years with no issues.
You can review the Leica white paper on their batteries at:
Hi guys and thanks for the responses
I don't have a issue with spending the bucks for the Leica batteries. I was just looking to see if there was any alternative sources.
What is the difference between the Leica originals made in the USA and the ones in China? I prefer to shop at home but will the Chinese version not operate a US 1205?
Amyone use an external power source like a 12 volt motorcycle battery? I used to use one on a Topcon robot I used 10 years ago. That worked pretty good if you had the robot in the same place for an extended amount of time.
What about the orange brick I saw on FLT's website?
Thanks again for the replies and Happy New Year.
Bob
> I don't have a issue with spending the bucks for the Leica batteries. I was just looking to see if there was any alternative sources.
>
> What is the difference between the Leica originals made in the USA and the ones in China? I prefer to shop at home but will the Chinese version not operate a US 1205?
I'm sure you can quickly google up some Chinese clone batteries for a fraction of Leica's price. They will probably work. They may even be okay. But chances are that your joy will be short lived. The quality will likely be poor and within a few months they will stop taking a charge. And then maybe leave you out of power at noon when you are a hundred miles from your charger. It might be cheap but it won't be a good value.
Been there, done that. Got the tee shirt to prove it.
My Leica batteries, purchased from Leica, say made in China.
Maybe - but through the Leica pipeline.
People, you buy a $25,000 piece of equipment, get the batteries from the dealer, spend a few extra dollars if need be. Don't be a wise guy, it will cost you more.
External battery, GEB70 or GEB171 are both excellent choices. GEB70 is smaller and put less weight on the tripod.
> What about the orange brick I saw on FLT's website?
Sounds like the GEB171. That's all I use with my TCRA1102plus; I get multiple days of use per charge. There's so much equipment that goes into the robotic setup anyway (gun, tripod, radio, pole, cable, data collector; to which I generally add security cables and lock) that adding an external battery doesn't really add much to the load.
I recelled one of my GEB171s recently. It was kind of a pain, as Leica puts a lot of silicone adhesive inside -- almost filling up the available space -- which made getting the casing apart a bit challenging. I saved quite a bit of money, though.
Bob et all,
When dealing with internal batteries I prefer to stay with Leica. As for the external route I have done it all. I have a couple of the old Leica bricks that now need to be re-celled. For the longest time I just used sealed lead acid batteries with cigarette lighter attachments. Recently I switched over to GPAC. I have found their system of connectors to be very secure (as apposed to my gerry-rigged system) and very flexible. They offer a wide selection of connectors or you can make your own; you can attach two devices at a time; and you can daisy chain the batteries for increased amperage. Charging can be accomplished by a standard battery charger. All of this at about half the price of a new brick.
I knew I had a photo of the insides of a GEB171 somewhere, but it took me awhile to find it:
Lots of silicone to wade through...
