The Weincell 1.35V PX625 replacement

cerber0s · Jul 24, 2023

Has anyone tried this? It looks promising. I’m currently using the 1.4V hearing aid batteries. I have to replace them often, but they’re dirt cheap and can be purchased off the shelf anywhere. Still, I might try this.

WEINCELL PX 625 1,35 V Battery - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

Battery, WEIN Cell Px625 Reokacement. WeinCELL is a revolutionary new custom zinc/air battery designed to replace environmentally-unfriendly (and increasingly banned) ...

www.fotoimpex.com

Kino · Jul 24, 2023

cerber0s said:
Has anyone tried this? It looks promising. I’m currently using the 1.4V hearing aid batteries. I have to replace them often, but they’re dirt cheap and can be purchased off the shelf anywhere. Still, I might try this.

WEINCELL PX 625 1,35 V Battery - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

Battery, WEIN Cell Px625 Reokacement. WeinCELL is a revolutionary new custom zinc/air battery designed to replace environmentally-unfriendly (and increasingly banned) ...

www.fotoimpex.com

Yes, they have been around for years.

Do a quick search of this website and you'll find extensive discussion of their pro's and con's...

David Reynolds · Jul 24, 2023

The Wein cell 1.35V battery mercury replacement battery is the correct battery to replace both PX625 and Px13 batteries. Using a 1.4V battery would require you to recalibrate your light meter for the voltage difference. The Wein battery is also very inexpensive. They are readily available at suppliers like B&H in New York city. I assume they are available throughout Europe as well . (I just noticed you are Swedish.)

grain elevator · Jul 24, 2023

I think the difference between 1.35 and 1.4 V is inconsequential or even down to marketing bs. I suggest sticking with hearing aid batteries. For all I've read, the Wein cells don't last much longer and are much pricier.

David Reynolds · Jul 24, 2023

Wein cells are half the price in the US compared to Europe ($4.59 USF -------- 7,79 Eur)
Some people also like their light meter to read accurately.

pentaxuser · Jul 24, 2023

Can anybody say from experience what the actual difference is in meter readings if a 1.4V hearing aid battery in used instead of a 1.35 weincell?

This might help cerber0s to decide which "way to jump" in terms of a decision I can't speak for Sweden but there is a massive difference in price between a weincell battery at 1.35V and a hearing aid battery in the U.K.

Thanks

pentaxuser

Nitroplait · Jul 24, 2023

There is no difference. I have measured both side by side. The 1.4v zinc air reads 1.36, the Wein cells reads the same.
For some reason the wein cells seems to last a little longer but not remotely enough to justify the price. I can get two 6 packs of zinc-air on amazon.de for the price of one wein cell.

MattKing · Jul 24, 2023

Thread title typo corrected.
Weincells use the same zinc air cells you have been using. I believe they partially restrict airflow to the cell itself, and therefore give a bit longer life.
Personally, I would either stick with what you are doing, or move to the more expensive adapters that convert the voltage of much longer life silver oxide cells.
I actually do some of both.
Are you using the hearing aid batteries with adapters designed for them, or are you using something like o-rings or aluminum foil?

cerber0s · Jul 24, 2023

David Reynolds said:
Using a 1.4V battery would require you to recalibrate your light meter for the voltage difference

grain elevator said:
I think the difference between 1.35 and 1.4 V is inconsequential or even down to marketing bs. I suggest sticking with hearing aid batteries. For all I've read, the Wein cells don't last much longer and are much pricier.

Yeah, the 0.05V difference is not going to make any difference once you factor in all other variables.

pentaxuser · Jul 24, 2023

It's nice to have resolved what is the non differences. It also allows us to use more of our disposable income to buy film, doesn't it?

pentaxuser

David Reynolds · Jul 25, 2023

MattKing said:
Are you using the hearing aid batteries with adapters designed for them, or are you using something like o-rings or aluminum foil?

Spend a little more money on a Wein Cell rather than jamming aluminum foil or some other concoction . Or spend some money and have the voltage required align with the battery you use.

cerber0s · Jul 25, 2023

MattKing said:
Are you using the hearing aid batteries with adapters designed for them, or are you using something like o-rings or aluminum foil?

Neither. I just put the batteries in there, put the cap on, and shoot away.

MattKing · Jul 25, 2023

cerber0s said:
Neither. I just put the batteries in there, put the cap on, and shoot away.

Invest in the low cost, no voltage conversion adapters - they definitely improve the fit, and they may extend the life you get from the individual batteries - less air flow.
I got mine from Jon Goodman, of seal kit fame, for a very reasonable amount. There are lots on the internet as well.

mtnbkr · Jul 26, 2023

MattKing said:
Invest in the low cost, no voltage conversion adapters - they definitely improve the fit, and they may extend the life you get from the individual batteries - less air flow.

I think you're onto something with that statement. I've had a hearing aid battery with adapter in my Canon FT for months (6-7) now and it still reads 1.36v on a multimeter.

I need to adjust my ISO setting, that .01v difference will throw my otherwise perfectly accurate meter off.

Chris

cerber0s · Jul 26, 2023

mtnbkr said:
I think you're onto something with that statement. I've had a hearing aid battery with adapter in my Canon FT for months (6-7) now and it still reads 1.36v on a multimeter.

I need to adjust my ISO setting, that .01v difference will throw my otherwise perfectly accurate meter off.

Chris

I’ve had one in my Konica C35 for almost a year, and it’s still going. You can’t even switch off the C35, just put the lens cap on to give the meter a rest.

BMbikerider · Jul 26, 2023

David Reynolds said:
The Wein cell 1.35V battery mercury replacement battery is the correct battery to replace both PX625 and Px13 batteries. Using a 1.4V battery would require you to recalibrate your light meter for the voltage difference. The Wein battery is also very inexpensive. They are readily available at suppliers like B&H in New York city. I assume they are available throughout Europe as well . (I just noticed you are Swedish.)

Actually .5 of a volt will make precious little difference to any reading, so doubt if you would notice any difference. I use a Lithium 6V battery in my Nikon F2a (the size of 2 SR44's) and that voltage output was checked after I opened the sealed bubble pack and found it to 6.175V. even then I don't notice any change except the needle in my F2a is a little more lively. The exposures are still well withing the parameters of what I would expect. My hand held Minolta autometer also corresponds with what the 'in camera' metering was indicating.

There is also a device that is the same size as a PX625 cell but is hollow and will take a single SR or LR44 cell and reduce the voltage down to 1.35v. I know where I can buy one in UK but you ,may have to search for them elsewhere Bear in mind a Wein cell once opened to the air, will start to work and will expire in around 12 months. even if a single shot is never taken. For what they are, they are quite expensive per unit

mtnbkr · Jul 26, 2023

cerber0s said:
I’ve had one in my Konica C35 for almost a year, and it’s still going. You can’t even switch off the C35, just put the lens cap on to give the meter a rest.

I resisted hearing aid batteries for a long time thinking they would go dead quickly, but now that I know I can get a few months or more out of one, I won't use anything else. They're cheap and available.

Chris

Chan Tran · Jul 26, 2023

BMbikerider said:
Actually .5 of a volt will make precious little difference to any reading, so doubt if you would notice and difference. I use a Lithium 6V battery (the size of 2 SR44's and that voltage was checked after I opened the sealed bubble pack was 6.25V even then I don't notice any change except the needle in my F2a is a little more lively. The exposures are still well withing the parameters of what I would expect. My hand held Minolta autometer also corresponds with what the 'in camera' metering should be

You use the 6V lithium battery in the F2a? I think you meant the 3V one. Also I don't think it would make a different reading in the F2A. The F2A is new enough to have the meter not affected by battery voltage.

David Reynolds · Jul 26, 2023

BMbikerider said:
Actually .5 of a volt will make precious little difference to any reading, so doubt if you would notice and difference. I use a Lithium 6V battery (the size of 2 SR44's and that voltage was checked after I opened the sealed bubble pack was 6.25V even then I don't notice any change except the needle in my F2a is a little more lively. The exposures are still well withing the parameters of what I would expect. My hand held Minolta autometer also corresponds with what the 'in camera' metering should be

Thanks for the information (and to all who have posted comments above) I don't know the subtleties of built in light meters as I used a hand held Gossen meter throughout my career. I retired about the same time as the battery world was turned upside down with the banning of PX625 &PX13 batteries.

Nitroplait · Jul 26, 2023

The Kanto MR-9 voltage adapter can be a little expensive if you have many cameras/meters in simultaneous use that requires 1.35V, but are preferable. You also need a place to buy your SR43 cells. They can be harder to find than SR44. You cannot substitute SR43 with LR43!

The dumb brass adapters can be found on all the usual trading platforms and a six pack of 675 Zinc Air is €2-3 online, but available in almost any pharmacy.
You only need the brass adapters to substitute PX625. For PX675 used in many 70's rangefinders, the zinc air 675 cell drops right in.

Nitroplait · Jul 26, 2023

David Reynolds said:
Thanks for the information (and to all who have posted comments above) I don't know the subtleties of built in light meters as I used a hand held Gossen meter throughout my career. I retired about the same time as the battery world was turned upside down with the banning of PX625 &PX13 batteries.

I recently borrowed a Gossen Lunasix 3 stored for decades in a friends drawer. Fitted the zinc-air cells + brass adapters above it gave readings in line with my modern digital Sekonic L-308x.
The brass adapter solution is also working perfectly in my Leicameter MR.

BrianShaw · Jul 26, 2023

BMbikerider said:
Actually .5 of a volt will make precious little difference to any reading, so doubt if you would notice any difference.

Forgive me for being pedantic, but...

1.4 - 1.35 = .05 volt diference. Slipped a digit.

madsox · Jul 26, 2023

Nitroplait said:
I recently borrowed a Gossen Lunasix 3 stored for decades in a friends drawer. Fitted the zinc-air cells + brass adapters above it gave readings in line with my modern digital Sekonic L-308x.
The brass adapter solution is also working perfectly in my Leicameter MR.

Is there a reason the brass adapters are better/more reliable, or are they just cheaper and easier to find?

I have a few old light meters that I could test out and possibly use again with a battery fix like this.

Paul Howell · Jul 26, 2023

I use both, my Konica and Miranda Sensormates EE, hearing aid 625 fit without an adaptor, after use I replace the plastic sticky tabs to cover the air holes which extends the life of the battery. I use Winn Air for my Weston Ranger 9. The small difference in voltage when using hearing aid 625 is less than a stop which I compensate by adjusting the ASA setting. The Sensormate battery compartment is really well sealed, I drilled hole in a salvaged compartment cover to allow the air zinc to function all day.

MattKing · Jul 26, 2023

madsox said:
Is there a reason the brass adapters are better/more reliable, or are they just cheaper and easier to find?

They also use batteries that are much easier to buy off the shelf at a relatively low cost. An SR44 or SR43 silver oxide cell - which are what are used in the more expensive adapters - tend to be much more expensive at a pharmacy (or camera store) than a hearing aid battery is - plus they are harder to find.
The silver oxide cells also can be very long lasting, so if your practice is like mine and you prefer to have a backup battery with you at all times, you can find yourself with a $15 battery sitting unused in your camera bag for years!
The internet offers much more reasonably priced silver oxide options, but even there availability isn't what it used to be.

The Weincell 1.35V PX625 replacement

cerber0s

WEINCELL PX 625 1,35 V Battery - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

Kino

WEINCELL PX 625 1,35 V Battery - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

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The Weincell 1.35V PX625 replacement

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