MD-R8 battery cell replacement - 2000mAh

[Leica Duncan]

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Hi Folks

I have been considering what to do with my R8 motor drive cell for quite a while now as although it will charge (two or three charge/discharge cycles), it doesn't hold the charge for a useful amount of time. I am guessing that the cell needs to be replaced. Researching on this forum and elsewhere it seems that this could be a DIY job. Just recently a Chinese replacement cell for the MD-R8 has been advertised on eBay but it is rated at 2000mAh. My understanding is that the original is 1500mAh.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ni-MH-9-6V-2000mAh-DIY-LEICA-MD-R8-motor-drive-cell-Rechargeable-Battery-8SHW/323999362831?hash=item4b6fddef0f:g:uX4AAOSwxzdaSwCK

Has anyone tried fitting one of these cells? Are they any good? Is the higher rating a potential problem?

Thanks

 

Leica Duncan

[james.liam]

I had my battery replaced with the 2000, no issues at all.

Before doing it yourself, I suggest you look through this thread. The options available are not that costly and unless you know your way with a soldering iron, it may be the best way to proceed, better than the unpredictability of fleaBay and PRC batteries. Or PRC anything.

Edited January 29, 2020 by james.liam

[Leica Duncan]

7 hours ago, james.liam said:

I had my battery replaced with the 2000, no issues at all.

Before doing it yourself, I suggest you look through this thread. The options available are not that costly and unless you know your way with a soldering iron, it may be the best way to proceed, better than the unpredictability of fleaBay and PRC batteries. Or PRC anything.

Thanks  james.liam, that is reassuring. I am not adverse to having a go if I can convince myself that the ebay product is up to it. Then again, looking at the other thread you have pointed to, if a professional refurb can be that reasonable, that might well be a wiser choice. 

[Leica Duncan]

8 hours ago, james.liam said:

I had my battery replaced with the 2000, no issues at all.

Before doing it yourself, I suggest you look through this thread. The options available are not that costly and unless you know your way with a soldering iron, it may be the best way to proceed, better than the unpredictability of fleaBay and PRC batteries. Or PRC anything.

Thanks  james.liam, that is reassuring. I am not adverse to having a go if I can convince myself that the ebay product is up to it. Then again, looking at the other thread you have pointed to, if a professional refurb can be that reasonable, that might well be a wiser choice. 

[Leica Duncan]

5 minutes ago, paulmac said:

Two points:-

(1) DON'T get the EBAY Chinese battery - they are too big and won't fit in the case. There is NO polarity shown on the battery and soldering to them requires a very high wattage soldering iron.

(2) SEND you battery to the company in Scarborough UK that I wrote about in the link that James has provided. They do a superb job and charge £34.99 plus shipping by courier to do it.  They have done two R8 MDrive batteries for me and both batteries work just as they should and hold the charge of 3 Red LEDs lit for ages.

When sending batteries by Royal Mail - make sure that they are fully discharged as they won't handle batteries via the mail but if you discharge them fully then no problem.

Reagards Paul Mac

Thanks Paul Mac. Decision made.