2CR5 batteries

Just been down to my sisters this last weekend to sort out Dads stuff.

He had a collection of Rohan jackets and fleeces which fit me (yippee), plus a huge collection of OS maps
and glossy brochures collected from almost every interesting town and city, plus tons of books on
birds, moths, butterflies, biology, the works, plus of course his camera. This is a Canon Sureshot Zoom XL
and the manual says 1989.
Unfortunately the battery is dead, but hasn't leaked. It's one of those annoying 2CR5 6V lithium
jobs that you cannot re-cell. They seem to range in price from £3.99 to over £18 (RS components,
no surprise there). Having said that, has anyone managed to get them apart and
fitted new cells ?.
I am wondering if I could break into the dead battery, remove the cells and solder a pair of flying leads
to an external pack of 4x AA cells to give the 6 volts. What do people think ?

A

Sounds unwise and in any event the price can be so low I wonder why it would ever be worthwhile?

To add to John's comment above, I'd also purchase a cheap version just to check the camera still works, if it does, than go for a better quality replacement when its expired, if it doesn't, you've not lost much.

I think it was the *istD that had the ability to take 2CR5 or 4AA....

I was going to type in a 2 word reply.... Try Screwfix.... then had a look and they don't have them!

The £3.99 Panasonic batteries are more than adequate for the task.

Energiser lithiums on Amazon just over a fiver.

I agree with John, taking apart dead batteries, especially Lithium ones, is very unwise. Replacements aren't so expensive compared to the overall operating costs of a film camera these days. One of those batteries should last for quite a few rolls of film.

thats cheaper than 4 AA lithium

Just to add. The battery measures 6.15 V but I have no idea how old it is.

What normally happens to the voltage of a lithium battery when it is 'flat' or old ?.

The camera top plate shows the frame counter of zero when it is inserted and
powered on but the battery symbol that indicates the state of charge does not show
and none of the controls do anything.

Park Cameras have them for £3.97 (open box ??) but their online ordering system
has made mobile phone number a mandatory field. I don't have a mobile phone !!!.
WTF is wrong with companies that do this ?.

I have sent them a snotty email pointing out that I am not going to make a 40 mile
round trip to buy a £3.97 battery, when the camera might not even work even with a
new battery.

A

Personally, I'd just put my landline number in that field, and complete the order...

Isn't there somewhere closer than Park. Bigger town with SnappySnaps or Jessops? Or Brighton/Eastbourne?

"WTF is wrong with companies that do this ?''

I share your anger on this practice. Like you, I don't, won't and positively refuse to have a mobile phone and as a consequence I've faced the same issue. The answer is to do as gareth advises above. I do similar with my landline number. Always works for me!

What worked for you in the past might not work in the future. The law changed on 14 March. 'Strong Customer Authentication' is now required for many online transactions in order to improve security. My bank and credit card providers have each sent me details in the last couple of weeks. In essence, the supplier must confirm that the customer is genuine. This typically involves sending a confirmation code to the customer (e.g. by text message) that the customer must then input to the supplier's website within a limited time. If you don't give the correct phone number then you won't get the message and won't be able to confirm the purchase (other methods are apparently available if you don't have a mobile phone). It's your choice...

Steve

Unfortunately then, you are at the mercy of the quality of the mobile signal... I have to use 2-factor identification on my phone using work apps at work.... It can take up to 10 mins for the code to arrive and by then it's too late.

Our company switched from O2 to Vodafone a few years ago for business mobile use. Personal Vodafone customers told the company the signal on site was very poor and we changed nevertheless. Cue issues with certain log-ins.

As Steve says this is the reality, and unfortunately doesn't suit either those who don't have a mobile and/or don't have computer/email.

Sorry, but I tried that and it then says that is not a valid mobile number.

Even if I did have a mobile I would never let any remote site have it, and surely
to request it is a breach of GDPR anyway?.

A