The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

The New Hotness

  • AA Cell Holder: Fragile Contacts

    Broken cell holder contact
    Broken cell holder contact

    It seems I applied a bit too much pressure to one of the contacts on a metal AA cell holder: the outer rim of the rivet holding the solder tab in place departed for the distant reaches of the Basement Laboratory.

    No big deal, I thought: pop another rivet in place and get back in operation…

    You really want the rivet to go in with the flat head inside the cell holder where the original flat head was. Unfortunately, the rivet yanker’s head won’t fit into the holder; I’m pretty sure the manufacturer has a Special Machine to make that happen.

    So I put the reinforcing washer and lumpy end inside. That meant switching the insulating washers to keep the overall distance from the negative cell contact about the same.

    Cell holder rivet - inside
    Cell holder rivet – inside

    The outside looks much better…

    Cell holder rivet - outside
    Cell holder rivet – outside

    For what it’s worth, these pix came from the Sony DSC-H5 with the flash turned down 1 EV. Much better results than the Casio EX-Z850, even with its flash set to Soft (whatever that is). The H5 has much better macro capability… and with the new Eneloop cells, it lasts long enough to make it usable in the shop.