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Battery help (Li-Ion, Lead-acid compatibility)

post #1 of 10
9/25/10 at 7:09am
Thread Starter 

Hello guys,

I have recently acquired a 1992 portable CD player. This player uses a Sony BP-2EX battery (machine is not a Sony, but no matter, it is compatible).

From what I have read, back in 1992 these rechargeables were lead-acid.

Now I need to find a replacement BP-2EX. Well, I found one, but this one is Li-Ion.

It does not have an independent charger, so I'd have to charge it inside the player.

However, a post here on Head-Fi said that charging Li-Ion in such an old machine would cause the battery to explode, hence destroying the player (and some things around it, I presume). Because those old machines have recharging circuits designed for lead-acids and not Li-Ions.

I would like to know whether that post is correct. If so then I am out of luck, since there are no new lead-acid BP-2EX being made.

 

Thank you.

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post #2 of 10
9/25/10 at 10:06am

In 1992 I think they were still using NiCads.

You can crack open that battery enclosure and replace the cells inside.

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post #3 of 10
9/25/10 at 10:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moontan13 View Post

In 1992 I think they were still using NiCads.

You can crack open that battery enclosure and replace the cells inside.


Um. You see, the problem is, I bought this player second-hand and it did not come with any battery. The whole compatibility thing is based on what little information I could find on the Web.

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post #4 of 10
9/26/10 at 6:35am

There is a Li-Ion replacement, but from what I read, you will need a charger for it.

 

It might be better to just buy a new disc player.

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post #5 of 10
9/26/10 at 9:59am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moontan13 View Post

There is a Li-Ion replacement, but from what I read, you will need a charger for it.

 

It might be better to just buy a new disc player.


Um. You see, that 1992 CD player there? Yeah, it sounds absurdly orgasmic (I bought a RatShack 6V power supply). I have do have a 2002 one and the sound is inferior.

And I couldn't find a charger for that replacement BP-2EX.

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post #6 of 10
9/26/10 at 11:26am

Why not put together an external charger for the new battery?  Not terribly difficult and if the battery blows, it wont hurt the player.

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post #7 of 10
9/26/10 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post

Why not put together an external charger for the new battery?


I don't have the electrical engineering skills to fabricate a battery charger (I can't put in a control chip and program the firmware to monitor each cell in the battery pack, I just don't have that knowledge).

Some "simple battery charger" Cana-Kits (look it up) do exist, and there are also some 'universal' battery chargers. However I am unsure whether the BP-2EX would fit (or charge).

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post #8 of 10
9/26/10 at 8:44pm

I though I saw some links to a charger when I googled for the battery.

You could use a hobby type charger. Most are pretty versatile and can be used for a variety of battery types.

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post #9 of 10
9/26/10 at 9:17pm

Yep. Something like a Great Planes Triton 2 charger would work just fine for charging the replacement lithium ion battery. You'd need to make some sort of cradle for the BP-2EX-alike since the terminals on it are recessed, but that should be pretty doable. I'd keep an eye on it while it's charging though. Never can be too careful with lithium ion batteries of indeterminate origin.

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post #10 of 10
10/4/10 at 8:17pm

I just saw the post and thought I say something.  You definitely don't want to use charger that is not design to charge LiPo.  It will over charge the battery and cause it to explode.  Charging LiPo is pretty safe and cheap with today's LiPo specific charger.  The issue with using LiPo is you need to watch the voltage on the battery.  If you are concern about LiPo catching on fire, you can use LiPo sacks to charge the battery.  These are popular in Radio Control racing.  You can LiPo charger cheap from hobby site such as Hobby King. 

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