OB-1 back up battery

[Bill Layer]

Hey,

>Gettin set to do some fiddling with my bbq'd OB-1, and I pulled the corroded
>back up battery out of its holder. Its an old mercury 4.2V T-136 (i think).
>First electronics shop i hit couldnt come up with an exact replacement, and
>suggested a 4.5v that was a different size.  They told me to check another
>outfit to try and find one more physically similar.  Is the voltage
difference
>a problem?  Is there any permanent damage likely from this batterys
demise? It
>appears the corrosion only ate up the battery holder connection on one
end. Is
>there a source for the correct battery?  Thanks.

Mercury batteries have become a real environmental problem, and they are
very difficult to get. However, local laws do prevail, and you can probably
mail-order the exact unit from one of our 'less progressive' states...

What you're likely to find is a 'PC' version of of your battery. It is
alkaline, rather than mercury, and has a slightly higher resting voltage.
The service characteristics of the alkaline are inferior to the mercury. An
example of this is the PX32 merc. used in the Leica camera. If you live in
Minnesota, you (I) have to buy the PC32A.>


Bill Layer, member

The International Brotherhood of Jazz Dancers, Pastry Chefs and Nuclear
Technicians