Safe to re-cell a rechargeable shaver?

[Lobster]

Well it's done 10 years on the original batteries, so can't complain; but I want to get some replacments as they are definitely stuffed.

First port of call was the manufacturer's website, where I find this in the FAQ for my shaver (at

"Q. Can I replace the built-in battery with any type of rechargeable battery available on the market?

A. No, definitely not. You should on no account replace the built-in rechargeable battery with any type of rechargeable battery you can buy in the shops. The built-in battery is tailor-made for the charging system in this shaver. Do not try to replace the battery yourself."

Hmm.

So - Google then directs me to Allbatteries

where I find exactly the battery I need, along with the statement: "This battery has been manufactured with high quality components. It conforms with the exact specification of the original manufacturer and the battery is guaranteed against all manufacturing defects." (It certainly looks like my battery; but the original has no relevant markings to compare it with).

Do we think it's safe to assume that the manufacturer's FAQ is just revenue-protecting, arse-covering bollocks, or is there any genuine reason why I shouldn't just go ahead and order the new battery?

[Scott M]

Just do it. As long as the battery type is the same then the only problem would be sub standard cells - and that only really counts for LiIon. Couple of boggo tagged NiMHs? Ridiculous amount of fuss on the M/F website.

[Tim+]

Yes

No.

HTH

Tim

[Fredxxx]

The battery pack is 2 AA NiCd batteries. I assume the charger is of the trickle type so I can't think of any reason why it's not safe.

Personally I wouldn't bat an eyelid and get the replacement. Whether you can get it cheaper elsewhere is perhaps another question. It depends on how you value your time.

[tony sayer]

In article , Lobster scribeth thus

Just done my Two Braun units with new ni-mh units and all fine:)

In fact replaced them with higher capacity cells and they last longer. Used batteries, tagged ones, from RS components..

[Martin Brown]

[snip]

The only concern is that the thing might be about to mechanically fall apart or otherwise disintegrate. You could end up with a pair of nice new batteries and a shaver that still doesn't want to play.

[Brian Gaff]

Of course its safe. I mean, I've had original batteries in shavers go down and almost melt the cases, so I'm sure its as safe as that one was!

While on the subject of shavers though, i have a fairly recent rotary Remmington, and it has some kind of special circuit so the motor does not slow down, it just stops when the charge level reaches recharge limits. However the charger is in the plug and lead, not like the old ones. The charger, though it still charges has taken to giving out rf interference in the last few weeks when its on the shaver its a ticking with a whining noise all over the medium and short wave bands, and even when just in the mains with no shaver, it makes a noise a bit like a car ignition all over the place. It iws of course out of its warranty, and anyway, they may not consider rfi as a valid fault. Can one buy these chargers and do they all eventually start to do this i wonder.Cheap suppressor caps probably I suppose. brian

[Ian Jackson]

In message , tony sayer writes

I think this topic was discussed here quite recently.

As others have said, there should be no problems. While it's nice to use tagged batteries, you can solder to normal untagged batteries - but you need an iron that is man enough (especially when you are soldering to the negative case), and you've got to be quick about it to avoid damaging battery.

I believe another question asked previously was "Can original nicads be replaced with NiMH?". I've certainly done this, and I think others have too.

[Clive Page]

I have a Philips shaver which came with a soldered-in cell of AA size. I've now replaced this twice, as the first replacement only lasted a few years.

The second time I decided that un-soldering and soldering them was a pain (and tagged cells are so much more expensive) so I replaced the solder posts with a couple of bits of springy brass so I have a sort-of battery holder and can just push fit a standard AA cell. The second replacement is one of the new-fangled "hybrid" ones: it seems to hold it charge better and so far has lasted for a couple of years. But now it doesn't involve a soldering iron, I know that if it loses capacity I can simply slide in a new cell in a couple of minutes. Oh, and the original charger works fine with it.

[Lobster]

Fredxxx grunted in news:l7tcns$lna$ [e-mail]:

Thanks for the all the reassuring replies: I'll go ahead with the plan then!

Yes, it's the manufacturer's original; a 9W wall-wart.

The link above was the only place I could actually find a bespoke battery for my old shaver; however if everyone reckons this is nothing more than a couple of standard tagged AA NiCds I can look further afield. Of interest is that at, say,

I can buy appropriate 1.2V cells of a range of mAh ratings - 600, 1300, 1800, 2200. Now, I don't know for sure what the current ones are as there are no markings, but the dual-cell replacements I found at were rated 2.4V/700mAh. Does that mean 350mAh per 1.2V cell, or what? Is this an issue? Assuming these replacements are correct, do I need to replace with identically-rated batteries, or can I just go as high as I want to maximise time between charges?

Thanks David

[Ian Jackson]

In message , Lobster writes

As you surmise, higher capacity batteries give you longer between charges. However, they will also take longer to fully charge. They are also heavier than lower capacity batteries, but if you fit them, I doubt if you'll strain your wrist when shaving. I'd go for the highest capacity you can find at a reasonable price (£6 a pair for normal batteries?).

[tony sayer]

In article , Lobster scribeth thus

350 and 700 seems very small. I've used 1800 and higher;)...

[Huge]

The former. I've recelled my beard trimmer 2 or 3 times.

[Dave W]

The 700mAh flows through both batteries, so they're both 700mAh

[Capitol]

Done it lots of times. If it goes in the hole and you can get the case on, no problem