They don't make batteries like they used to....

[dad911]

While I have been using digital voltmeters for quite a while, I missed my old 80's analog Radio Shack Volt Ohm meter, with the analog pointer and mirrored scale.

Well, today I found it, still in the box. Cringed, thinking I put it away wet, expecting to open it up to a corroded mess from leaky batteries.

While they didn't last long, the 35+ year old batteries saved the day (and the meter)

[masraum]

shocking!

[hbueno]

I have a mantel clock that has been running on a Radio Shack alkaline D-cell since the about the early 2000's.

When I had my 911, the Sears battery lasted 16 years without needing to use a maintainer.

[Zeke]

That's pretty amazing. I have ruined more than one device by forgetting to remove a battery or 3. I have a lot of things I don't use often like a laser level and moisture meter, not to mention stud finders. etc. Oh and that plug in code OBDII reader. Have to remember to vacate the battery.

I wouldn't know an electron from an Electrolux, but it seems the cheaper the item is, the more easily the battery will corrode. How many free HF mini flashlights have I tossed? As many as they've given me, it seems.

[rwest]

I fondly remember the Radio Shack free battery card- I think you got one a month, for a poor kid it was pretty cool.

[T77911S]

cool
I have and old PSM 6 (?)
needs batteries but they are very strange size.


we have a transfer switch for an EG at work that you HAVE to use an analog on. a DMM wont work. probably internal resistance I would guess

[Paul_Heery]

Those are some ugly solder joints

[asphaltgambler]

It's the elimination of the mercury in solder.............

[nota]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

It's the elimination of the mercury in solder.............

lead is the magic stuff in solder

I hoard old lead solder from garage sales 40/60 TIN
try to use it in open well vented areas the vapor is the nasty part
NEW MOSTLY TIN NO LEAD SOLDER SUCKS

silver solder for water pipes ONLY

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Those are some ugly solder joints

Wasn't me, but it still works......

I have some Heathkit equipment I built from the same era, perhaps I'll post some of those boards......

Originally Posted by nota

lead is the magic stuff in solder

I hoard old lead solder from garage sales 40/60 TIN
try to use it in open well vented areas the vapor is the nasty part
NEW MOSTLY TIN NO LEAD SOLDER SUCKS

silver solder for water pipes ONLY

How does lead poisoning affect adults?

Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death.

[pwd72s]

Dad lucked out! Decades ago, I bought an old dark blue Radio Shack "flavor radio" and a 9V battery, thinking it might be handy during a power outage. Tossed it in a drawer, forgot about it. Luckily, I stored the battery in a separate zip lock baggie. The battery was badly corroded when I found it after reading online that the flavor radios were now collectables.

[aschen]

those are the non alkaline variants which I "think" are much less likely to leak than alkaline.

Good thing you cheaped out and didnt buy the silver ones 35 years ago.





I remeber alot of these growing up. Actually threw away bunches of them in the last few years





Why on earth are people selling used "vintage" batteries on ebay? We live in a strange world

[dad911]

Originally Posted by aschen

those are the non alkaline variants which I "think" are much less likely to leak than alkaline.

Good thing you cheaped out and didnt buy the silver ones 35 years ago.
....

Buy Batteries? I cheaped out and used to use the free ones. (not my card):

[VINMAN]

I really miss that store.


.

[pwd72s]

Me too.

[dad911]

Actually, by the late 70's early 80's I outgrew them. No power tubes for the ham equipment, no IC's for the computers. Fortunately we had 3 well stocked electronics stores within about 20 miles, including a Lafayette store.

I really miss Heathkit. I'd still be building their kits if they were around.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

I really miss that store.


.

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Me too.

Not dead yet? Or reincarnated?

I had no idea:

https://www.radioshack.com/collections/batteries

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

I really miss that store.


.

Remember when you bought some thing and they wrote it up on a two-part ticket pad, you had to give them your name and address or phone number.

I came up with a lot of crazy names and they didn’t blink an eye.

[Fast Freddy 944]

I liked Radio Shack, a good ol Texas Tradition! I had the catalogue when I was a kid and dreamed of the cool expeirments, drooled of the rc vehicles etc. And then for some predictable reason its all gone...China and their crappy everything...Lets go Brandon!

[gordner]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

It's the elimination of the mercury in solder.............

It is more that people are used to seeing circuit boards with dipped solder, that is hand applied solder in the meter.