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4th Dec 2020, 5:10 pm | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,052
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CR20xx cell stack holder
Apropos of nothing in particular but it might be of interest to others
Whilst pondering on making a 16.5v low power requirement supply for a voltage reference I'd built a while back, I've found that the inside of a Multicore solder reel is a perfect fit for the CR20xx range of coin cells - see pic. I'm [low current]-ly considering how to implement a contact arrangement & will post again in a [non-short] while Guy
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"What a depressingly stupid machine." [Marvin: HHGTTG] |
4th Dec 2020, 6:17 pm | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,052
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Re: CR20xx cell stack holder
Here's my best endeavours ...
I've used 5 x CR2025's having a total stack thickness of 12.2mm* with connecting straps formed from a bit of 1.2mm² FT&E earth wire; I pre-drilled 4 x 1mm holes then "bodged" them out with a tapered implement. Assembly needed care - but it seems to have been a success Now for some careful trimming of the remainder of the Multicore tube. Guy * For 5 x CR2032s, it's 15.65mm - as measured with a digital caliper (yes, I did indeed put some 0.05 plastic film between the stack / caliper jaws ... then deducted 0.1mm )
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"What a depressingly stupid machine." [Marvin: HHGTTG] |
4th Dec 2020, 9:20 pm | #3 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Magor, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK.
Posts: 436
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Re: CR20xx cell stack holder
What a good idea, I like the repurposing, how have you arranged to keep the cells under compression?
T
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4th Dec 2020, 11:21 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,052
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Re: CR20xx cell stack holder
It all came down to careful measurement/positioning of the 4 holes ... having fitted one copper strap, I added the stack making sure they were 'parallel' to the diametral plane of the tube - if you see what I mean! - then whilst pushing down on the stack at the other end, I inserted the other strap. The 1.2mm² FT&E wire has sufficient stiffness to give a good contact across the faces of the cells at each end as well as maintaining sufficient compression throughout the stack to minimise the risk of iffy contact between adjacent cells.
It's nice to be able to make this up out of odds & sods (my garage is a shrine to the concept of re-purposing!) and I'll post some pics once I've added the LT1236 10.000V voltage reference chip (on a bit of Veroboard) plus an on-off switch and some proper 'test point' style sockets. The box I'll be using was originally associated with an SES-Astra 'Point 'n' Play' two-way satellite broadband alignment meter - I had several of them left over from my rural broadband business when I closed it down in 2016 Guy
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"What a depressingly stupid machine." [Marvin: HHGTTG] |
11th Dec 2020, 10:58 pm | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,052
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Re: CR20xx cell stack holder
My handy 10.00(0) volt reference gizmo is now finished
"What fun!" * Guy * (as the late great Sir Terry Wogan used to say in that hysterically funny series 'Janet & John')
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"What a depressingly stupid machine." [Marvin: HHGTTG] |
12th Dec 2020, 2:50 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 5,337
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Re: CR20xx cell stack holder
I see that a new line in CPC's latest catalogue is nickel-plated steel battery spring contacts. 10 for about £1 for AA & A, 10 for about £2 for C & D cells, VAT extra. Could be useful for this sort of thing as well as repairing springs damaged by leaking alkalines. I shall include some in my next order.
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