Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
mike wrote:

The primary reason for proprietary batteries is to keep the PROFIT up.
I read somewhere that there's more $ profit in a replacement battery
than in the orignal discounted laptop.


Like all spares, really. Or consumables. Ink jet cartridges etc.


If every device used the high-tech (currently LiIon) equivalent of the
AA battery that is available at any store, your laptop battery would
cost $10.


If you say so. I was more thinking of power tools that use the normal
Sub-C cell. To replace those with *decent* ones can cost more than the
entire tool.

WELL, almost all LiIon packs use the normal 18650 cell.
Problem is that they're packaged in proprietary plastic and you
need a tiny spot welder to replace 'em. Not to mention that you
have a very difficult time buying individual cells.
If the consumer could go down to the corner drugstore and pick up
sub-C cells for their power tool or 18650s for their laptop, they would
be much cheaper. If consumers weren't so stupid and could follow simple
directions, we wouldn't need multiple layers of stupid-proof safety
protection...or nearly as many lawyers.
Technology ain't the problem...it's all about the Benjamins.
mike



Back to the original question.
About 3 years ago, there was a store popping up on every other corner
to recondition your laptop/drill/radio battery. They charged about half
the price of a new pack and guaranteed some percentage of full capacity.
Those stores are ALL gone. That should tell you something about the
results.


Never had those in the UK that I knew about. It was economical to replace
mobile phone cells on a DIY basis with like for like quality, but not
things like cheap power tools. Although the performance of those could
usually be improved with better than OEM cells.




--
Return address is VALID but some sites block emails
with links. Delete this sig when replying.
..
Wanted, PCMCIA SCSI Card for HP m820 CDRW.
FS 500MHz Tek DSOscilloscope TDS540 Make Offer
Wanted, 12.1" LCD for Gateway Solo 5300. Samsung LT121SU-121
Wanted 12" LCD for Compaq Armada 7770MT.
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
MAKE THE OBVIOUS CHANGES TO THE LINK
htremovethistp://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/