Looking for PX625 adapter

[DonW]

Ages ago you could pick up a unit that would take a modern battery and convert it to 1.35V and of course be the same size as a PX625. They were fairly cheap but when I look on evilbay now they want around $50!! CRIS seems to be unable to supply anything these days.

Does anyone have any suggestions beyond having the camera recalibrated?

Don

 

[MattKing]

Jon Goodman sells the adapters that allow you yo use 675 zinc air hearing aid batteries for a very reasonable price. Those batteries don't last particularly long, but they are readily available locally, and can be obtained very cheaply.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I have a link where I purchased an adapter to use a lithium CR1632 in place of a PX640, and received one from the same person for 2xPX625. I don't think he's offered one for a single PX625, but you could email him and ask.

 

[richyd]

I have just purchased two adapters made by Frans de Gruijter in Holland. email: battery.adapter@online.nl
The adapters are about $20 each, I paid in Euros as i'm in UK. They are great replacement, well researched using cheap, stable voltage silver oxide batteries.

Look at https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/px625-battery-from-russia.139033/page-3 post 61 . You can download a specification document.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The really useful bit (for those with some tools and the need) of the above linked thread is this file: https://www.photrio.com/forum/attachments/batt-adapt-us-pdf.213739/ which includes information on making your own Schottky regulated adapter to use a 675 silver oxide (preferred, for lifetime and voltage curve) or alkaline cell in place of a PX625 mercury cell. Looks like an hour or two of work, plus a couple days waiting for the original 625 size alkaline cell to discharge, but the adapter created ought to outlast the worker who builds it, with a little care in handling.

 

[grahamp]

There are 3D printable adapters on Thingiverse. It needs a diode soldered in, and may be a touch large for some cameras. This is probably the best described: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4368708 and there is also https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3239721
I have not tried it (yet) as I have a couple of the old CRIS MR9 units, and I guard them jealously

 

[Donald Qualls]

Yep, one more thing telling me I need a 3D printer. On my list (hopefully it comes with a place to put it, though such things usually don't).

 

[ic-racer]

Yep, one more thing telling me I need a 3D printer. On my list (hopefully it comes with a place to put it, though such things usually don't).

If you do get one, start a thread about it as I'd be interested. I have been looking too.

 

[Digger Odell]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MR9-MR-9-P...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I have used this one for a few years. I little pricey but does have built in voltage conversion.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MR9-MR-9-PX625-PX13-Battery-Adapter-for-Film-Camera-Exposure-Meter-Mercury/130646083632?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I have used this one for a few years. I little pricey but does have built in voltage conversion.

I use same ones, purchased in last 2 months, well made and work great. This is probably cheapest option on the market for a finished product. They use SR43 batteries, so not as large as SR44, but do what they need to do.

 

[Digger Odell]

Not an adapter, but a mercury battery. 17$ to your door.

http://www.px625.ru/

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Not an adapter, but a mercury battery. 17$ to your door.

http://www.px625.ru/

So Russians still have them, but adapters from Thailand are about same price, slightly higher, and then you go with widely available silver oxide batteries.

 

[Donald Qualls]

So Russians still have them, but adapters from Thailand are about same price, slightly higher, and then you go with widely available silver oxide batteries.

And, as a bonus, you're not (probably) breaking import laws or carrying hazardous materials around in your battery compartment (or, eventually, adding to the environmental mercury load).

 

[Auer]

I did this to one of my FT's, on other cameras I just compensate with the ISO settings.

Diode Mod:

 

[Deleted member 88956]

And, as a bonus, you're not (probably) breaking import laws or carrying hazardous materials around in your battery compartment (or, eventually, adding to the environmental mercury load).

Indeed it is illegal to even own one of these things now.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Indeed it is illegal to even own one of these things now.

I don't think the USA is quite that restrictive, but I'm pretty confident it's illegal to knowingly import an item that's been specifically banned for public safety reasons. Not to mention illegal to dispose of such an item (even one 50 years old) other than through approved HazMat channels, with appropriate waste identification.

Now, the chance of enforcement for 1-2 mercury cells is pretty low, but still -- they were banned for good reasons and there are good solutions to replacing them.

 

[miha]

I have just purchased two adapters made by Frans de Gruijter in Holland. email: battery.adapter@online.nl

I got one from Frans de Gruijter many moons ago for my Leicaflex. Works as it should.

 

[GRHazelton]

I still feel that a good solution to the mercury cell problem is to require a LARGE deposit in addition to the purchase price, the deposit is returned when the dead cell is returned to a proper authority. Jus' sayin'.....

 

[MattKing]

I still feel that a good solution to the mercury cell problem is to require a LARGE deposit in addition to the purchase price, the deposit is returned when the dead cell is returned to a proper authority. Jus' sayin'.....

Except that would still require that those involved in the manufacture and shipping of the batteries and the mercury component be exposed to the potential danger.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I still feel that a good solution to the mercury cell problem is to require a LARGE deposit in addition to the purchase price, the deposit is returned when the dead cell is returned to a proper authority. Jus' sayin'.....

Like, say, about $35? For which you get a converter and a silver oxide cell?

 

[Pieter12]

I got one from Frans de Gruijter many moons ago for my Leicaflex. Works as it should.

Count me as another satisfied customer of Mr. de Gruijter. He also has instructions on how to make your own.

 

[ic-racer]

With the advent of micro electronics there would never be a need for mercury cells for photography equipment. Maybe people are not understanding but the device Donald linked to in post #3 uses a mini voltage regulator (not a diode or zinc cell) to give a perfect 1.35 volts from a 3V lithium cell. So the solid state voltage regulator and the lithium battery fit in the same package size as the original mercury cell.

The maker of the cell above does not tell what voltage regulator device he uses but one possibility is the tiny Toshiba TCR2EE which is shown here attached to a PC project board that one can get on-line.

 

[Auer]

Like, say, about $35? For which you get a converter and a silver oxide cell?

Or get a diode for about $2, solder it in and use a silver oxide cell.

TBH, I use a non modded SRT with a 1.5v cell and it's pretty easy to just mentally adjust to the readings.

 

[ic-racer]

Or get a diode for about $2, solder it in and use a silver oxide cell.

TBH, I use a non modded SRT with a 1.5v cell and it's pretty easy to just mentally adjust to the readings.

I think the SRT has a simple resistance based meter circuit that would benefit from a zinc-air cell. Is there a reason you like to use the higher voltage batteries?

 

[Auer]

I think the SRT has a simple resistance based meter circuit that would benefit from a zinc-air cell. Is there a reason you like to use the higher voltage batteries?

Zinc-Air cells have poor longevity and I feel no need to contribute to my local landfill.
Honestly the difference is easy to compensate for. But if I get bored enough I might solder in a diode on the SRT too. I Just don't use it that often..