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"(PeteCresswell)" <x@y.Invalid>: May 30 09:18AM -0400 Per Jeff Liebermann: >rechargeables...   That one was a keeper: thanks.   Is your reason for using LiIon in flashlights the near-zero self-discharge?   I have been using Eneloops, but not in all of my lights.... yet. -- Pete Cresswell

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>: May 30 09:24AM -0700 On Tue, 30 May 2017 09:18:23 -0400, "(PeteCresswell)" <x@y.Invalid> wrote:   >Is your reason for using LiIon in flashlights the near-zero >self-discharge?   No. It's my total disgust with the damage done by leaking alkalines. I discovered something new with the last alkaline battery leak. Even though the battery leaks had made a big mess inside the flashlight, it still lit up normally. So, turning on the light to see if it is still alive is NOT a substitute for visual inspection. Argh.   My main reason for getting into flashlights is that I'm bored and wanted to play with some different toys. I've been reading Candle Power Forums for quite a while and thought flashlights might be fun. The major incentive was a non-monetary bet with a friend over the usefulness of bottom of the line LiIon cells. My contention is that they are economically justifiable, while he demands nothing but the best.   Another reason I won't trust alkalines. They die in the box: <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/Kirkland-AAA-leak.jpg>   I just remembered that I'm suppose to fix an Apple BlueGoof wireless keyboard. The alkaline batteries leaked and the stainless steel screw on cover, into an aluminum housing, it rotted shut. I've tried brute force, with no effect. Chemical attack comes next.   >I have been using Eneloops, but not in all of my lights.... yet.   Same here, but I prefer LiIon. I've been having problems with ordinary NiMH. In addition to self discharge, they don't seem to last through too many charge cycles. Typically, I get about 200 with NiMH and 1200 or more with NiCd. Overall, I do better with NiCd for something that requires regular recharging, such as handheld radios, and flashlights. I'm doing something wrong with NiMH, but haven't figured out what.   Also, LiIon has a much higher maximum discharge current. 20C is common while NiMH is maybe 5C. It's the higher energy density of LiIon that has made power hogs like quadcopters and high power flashlights possible. They could be made to work on NiMH, but performance would suffer. LiIon has also force the introduction of decent battery chargers. One can get away with crude and simple with NiCd and NiMH, but not with LiIon. LiIon requires a well designed charger. Multiple cells charged in series require a balance charger. Many NiCd and NiMH chargers will merrily kill batteries with "quick charge" and various memory effect cures, but even a mediocre LiIon charger will do a reasonable job without killing the cells. Of course, there are plenty of ways to do it wrong, but so far, that's been the exception, not the rule.       -- Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"D. Peter Maus" <dpetermaus@att.net>: May 30 08:45AM -0500 On 5/24/17 12:22 PM, Michael Black wrote: > I don't think the chain ever deliberately hired "technical people".       At one time, yes they did. My first encounter with Radio Shack was a very pleasant experience. But, they were much different times. Olson, Lafayette, Allied, Burstein-Applebee, even Zalytron, and numerous brick and mortar stores in an area provided incentive for Radio Shack to be a better Radio Shack.   And, since Radio Shack catered to an amateur radio crowd, their sales persons had to be knowledgable, to explain the equipment, as well as licensed to demostrate it. In my area, all the RS stores, at the time, had working ham stations on site, to demostrate their best and newest toys.   When I applied for a job there, I was woefully, at the time, unprepared for the technical requirements of the job, and was told to come back, they'd be glad to have me, but I needed to get more comfortable with the technical aspects of the inventory.   When I told them I was more of an audio guy, and my expertise was in that vein, the GM's eyes perked up, and we had a great conversation. He had been looking for audio people, because the market was moving toward components, as opposed to furniture consoles, and away from the amateur market. And, the licensing requirements for CB were already being discussed as obsolete.   So, yes, at one time, they did require technical knowledge to work at Radio Shack. But that was long ago, in a galaxy far away.   Oh, and, I never did work there. I had also applied at a number of other places, but decided, instead to open my first repair shop, an offshoot of which was designing and building custom audio equipment for the well-heeled in Clayton and LaDue. Great fun.   Good coin, too.   p

thekmanrocks@gmail.com: May 30 09:09AM -0700 D. Peter Maus:   Sorry to hear of such high entry barriers to what was essentially a retail job! I'm facing similar barriers now to re-entry into the office environment: Being a middle-aged college-educated white male is a liability, it seems. Go figure!

"pfjw@aol.com" <pfjw@aol.com>: May 30 05:28AM -0700 The bolt came right out, with only the 'correct' amount of torque required. The entire job took 20 minutes, and now the car is running 'like new'.   Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA

Foxs Mercantile <jdangus@att.net>: May 30 08:17AM -0500 > The bolt came right out, with only the 'correct' amount of > torque required.   Another "happy camper" that discovered yet another "Shit that just works like it's supposed to."       -- Jeff-1.0 wa6fwi http://www.foxsmercantile.com   --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

tabbypurr@gmail.com: May 30 06:11AM -0700 > It's appearance, and being > the first cosnumer CD player.   > It represents that era!   My first cd player had the disc upright and played at 1x. I like old electronics generally but saw no merit in that one once better came along.     NT

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