Date   : Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:25:51 -0000
From   : dominic@... (BRAHMS)
Subject: Batteries in a Master

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Hobbis" <rhobbis@...>
To: <bbc-micro@...>
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: [BBC-Micro] Batteries in a Master


> Mike Tomlinson wrote:
>>In article <38450.82.71.113.222.1169126722.squirrel@...
>>net.co.uk>, Richard Gellman <splodge@...> writes
>>
>>
>>>Mine has a diode and a resistor in series. The resistor I can sort of see
>>>for voltage adjustment.. but the diode does baffle me slightly... unless
>>>its some sort of "back-EMF" protection.
>>>
>>
>>It's to prevent the Master trying to charge non-rechargeable batteries.
>>
>>
> Does that mean that if you don't include the diode you can use
> rechargeable batteries, and therefore (theoretically) never have to
> change them again?
>
It may be wise to invest in a fire extinguisher though...there isn't a
proper charing circuit and the batteries tend to get a bit on the warm
side. The master was quite famous for its early exploding models.

The list archives are down at the minute but if you go to
http://www.nelsonit.net/~jon/BBCMicro/ and search for "exploding battery"
I'm sure you'll get some more info.

Dom