From: morris@grian.cps.altadena.ca.us (Mike Morris)
Subject: Periphex NiCad batteries
Keywords: experience
Organization: College Park Software, Altadena, CA
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 05:07:37 GMT

Glen asked for info on experience with Periphex:

SHIERY@FULLERTON.EDU (GLEN SHIERY) writes:      EDITED

>Has anyone had a problem with the Periphex brand batteries that are
>advertied in QST. 

>I bought a BP-84S 18 months ago that has failed.
Is it in warranty?    If so, send it back with a copy of something dated
even a copy of the check you paid for it with.  I had one in-warranty
fix and had no hassle.  See below.

>failed 6 months after the warranty expired. I hope that this is an
>isolated problem. If so, I will buy another. Periphex's advertising
>sounds great, so far though my experience is less encouraging.

My experience with Periphex has been a couple of Yaesu inserts, a
oversize battery, and several Icom inserts that I've given as 
presents. 

My Yaesu 4SL oversize battery for my 727 has been back 3 times: 
   The first cuz one of the 'ears' broke off the battery when I dropped
   it from 2 feet onto a concrete floor (with no leather case).
   Interestingly they replaced the insert too - I know because I made 
   a hidden mark on each cell; 11 months old.
   The second time it went back was when a cell shorted (verified by a
   voltmeter - exactly 1.2 volts low).  This was 4 months after I got it back
   after incident #1.  This was a warranty fix, even though I had bought
   it over a year ago.  Maybe because it was a new insert?
   The third time was about 14 months later - it broke an ear off again
   two weeks before Labor Day weekend.  
   This time I sent them an idea on how to modify the mold the cases
   are made from to totally prevent this failure mode.  I've had it back
   now for about 6 weeks.  Let's see if it lasts.
   Let's see if they have a NIH problem about the case design.
   I don't know if they changed the insert this time when they put the 
   insert in a new case. I marked the cells again but don't plan on opening 
   this case until it fails - either physically or electrically.

Of the 4 Icom inserts I've given away (3 BP-8Ss, 1 BP7S), I think all are
still in service (at least I haven't heard any complaints).
The oldest is 3 years, the newest is 3 months.

Lastly, when I sent the 4SL back the last time, I ordered two Yaesu
FNB-4 inserts.  I called the 800 order # to get the total amount, and
asked that when the order and the check was received that the inserts be
mailed immediately, and the 4SL when it was fixed, as I was leaving on a
Labor Day weekend trip the following week, and would like to haveextra 
good batteries with me (at that time, I had 4 batteries, two were dead - 
hence the order for inserts).  The lady said "no problem"...
Two days after I got BACK from the trip, the 4SL and new inserts
arrived:  One Yaesu FNB4A insert, one Icom BP-8S insert.

Anybody wanta buy a BP8S insert (fits a standard BP8 case, 1.2AH , rapid
charge)?  I paid $46.00 and it's still in the sealed bag.

Lastly, in case anybody is curious, the common Yaesu failure mode is
broken slide ears on the top of the battery.  Where the Icom battery has
a metal slide assembly screwed to the top of the plastic case, the Yaesu
has the slide molded into the top of the radio.  Oversize (read: heavier)
batteries tend to break the slide off the top of the case.

I'd be interested in any other experiences with any battery supplier.

-- 
Mike Morris   WA6ILQ   | This space intentionally left blank.
PO Box 1130            | 
Arcadia, CA. 91077     | All opinions must be my own since nobody pays
818-447-7052 evenings  | me enough to be their mouthpiece...

-- 
Mike Morris   WA6ILQ   | This space intentionally left blank.
PO Box 1130            | 
Arcadia, CA. 91077     | All opinions must be my own since nobody pays
818-447-7052 evenings  | me enough to be their mouthpiece...
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.amateur.packet