Spotmatic (not SpotII, not SpotF) Battery

john carter · 07-01-2007, 04:29 PM

I can't seem to get a good answer for an exact battery replacement for the PX400 mercury cell that was originally in the SPOTMATIC. Does anyone know the answer? I have heard all the diode parallel circuit stuff and which model has what. I just want the SPOTMATIC battery replacement number.

thazooo · 07-02-2007, 04:57 AM

Try this

OK1000 Pentax Blog: Spotmatic Mercury Battery Replacements

**jfdavis58** · 07-02-2007, 07:07 AM

Originally posted by john carter

I can't seem to get a good answer for an exact battery replacement for the PX400 mercury cell that was originally in the SPOTMATIC. Does anyone know the answer? I have heard all the diode parallel circuit stuff and which model has what. I just want the SPOTMATIC battery replacement number.

And these folks:Micro-Tool keep a fresh stock, have a simple and effective on-line ordering system, answer questions in a no-nonsense fashion and ship relatively fast.

I use another version-different number-in an old meter; five at a time. I buy replacements in the small bulk quantity and get a discounted price and lower shipping fees.

john carter · 07-02-2007, 03:00 PM

Thank you both,

John

Gale Shaffer · 12-06-2007, 07:28 PM

the cheepest batteries that I have found were hearing aid battery the brown ones and a small "O" ring from the hardware store that fit around the battery. These are 1.35V work for about 4 or 5 months and real cheep.

Nesster · 12-07-2007, 03:32 PM

I just bought a bunch, an Excell S400PX
mdbattery sells them via ebay, though I bought mine direct from their website (can't seem to find it today though)

They work great and are pretty cheap, and md battery shipped fast

titrisol · 01-02-2008, 02:40 PM

I don´t see he point... a good Silver 386 will do the trick
the spotmatic mtering circuit is a bridge so using 1.5 instead of 1.3V does nor make any difference
My dad used small button in his in the 80s, when the camera became mine I kept using those little suckers and
no problems at all.

**baldeagle21b** · 01-16-2008, 04:13 AM

Originally posted by titrisol

I don´t see he point... a good Silver 386 will do the trick
the spotmatic mtering circuit is a bridge so using 1.5 instead of 1.3V does nor make any difference
My dad used small button in his in the 80s, when the camera became mine I kept using those little suckers and
no problems at all.

Are you sure about that type number, Titrisol? I just tried a 386 in my SP and it is just a bit too thick to close the battery cover. A 392 along with the little ring from an exhausted Wein cell works OK, though.

MNCurt-K10D · 01-27-2008, 06:41 PM

John ---

I went with a C.R.I.S replacement:

C.R.I.S.*::*Mercury Battery Adapters*::*H-B

This is specifically designed for the Spotmatic, and actually replaces the existing battery cover. It is a full diode-based adapter, and uses a standard 377 silver oxide battery for power.

I had tried the Wein air-cell, but found the limited life a real issue.

Curt

VF-19 · 01-27-2008, 08:03 PM

Would the C.R.I.S. adapter also work with a Spotmatic II? I'd love to get one if it'll work with it.

MNCurt-K10D · 01-27-2008, 08:33 PM

Not sure - though the K1000 link posted above says the HB works with all SPotmatics except the Spotmatic F. Check out the C.R.I.S. web site and see if they can give you an answer. My guess would be that if the Spot II used a RM400 battery, the HB will work...

Curt

07-01-2007, 04:29 PM	#1
john carter Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 67	Spotmatic (not SpotII, not SpotF) Battery I can't seem to get a good answer for an exact battery replacement for the PX400 mercury cell that was originally in the SPOTMATIC. Does anyone know the answer? I have heard all the diode parallel circuit stuff and which model has what. I just want the SPOTMATIC battery replacement number.

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07-02-2007, 04:57 AM	#2
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Try this OK1000 Pentax Blog: Spotmatic Mercury Battery Replacements

07-02-2007, 07:07 AM	#3
jfdavis58 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 13 S 0357397-3884316 Photos: Gallery Posts: 887	Originally posted by john carter I can't seem to get a good answer for an exact battery replacement for the PX400 mercury cell that was originally in the SPOTMATIC. Does anyone know the answer? I have heard all the diode parallel circuit stuff and which model has what. I just want the SPOTMATIC battery replacement number. And these folks:Micro-Tool keep a fresh stock, have a simple and effective on-line ordering system, answer questions in a no-nonsense fashion and ship relatively fast. I use another version-different number-in an old meter; five at a time. I buy replacements in the small bulk quantity and get a discounted price and lower shipping fees.

07-02-2007, 03:00 PM	#4
john carter Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 67 Original Poster	Thank you both, John

12-06-2007, 07:28 PM	#5
Gale Shaffer New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, NC 27292 Posts: 3	the cheepest batteries that I have found were hearing aid battery the brown ones and a small "O" ring from the hardware store that fit around the battery. These are 1.35V work for about 4 or 5 months and real cheep.

12-07-2007, 03:32 PM	#6
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I just bought a bunch, an Excell S400PX mdbattery sells them via ebay, though I bought mine direct from their website (can't seem to find it today though) They work great and are pretty cheap, and md battery shipped fast

01-02-2008, 02:40 PM	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	I don´t see he point... a good Silver 386 will do the trick the spotmatic mtering circuit is a bridge so using 1.5 instead of 1.3V does nor make any difference My dad used small button in his in the 80s, when the camera became mine I kept using those little suckers and no problems at all.

01-16-2008, 04:13 AM	#8
baldeagle21b Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 223	Originally posted by titrisol I don´t see he point... a good Silver 386 will do the trick the spotmatic mtering circuit is a bridge so using 1.5 instead of 1.3V does nor make any difference My dad used small button in his in the 80s, when the camera became mine I kept using those little suckers and no problems at all. Are you sure about that type number, Titrisol? I just tried a 386 in my SP and it is just a bit too thick to close the battery cover. A 392 along with the little ring from an exhausted Wein cell works OK, though.

01-27-2008, 06:41 PM	#9
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	John --- I went with a C.R.I.S replacement: C.R.I.S.::Mercury Battery Adapters::H-B This is specifically designed for the Spotmatic, and actually replaces the existing battery cover. It is a full diode-based adapter, and uses a standard 377 silver oxide battery for power. I had tried the Wein air-cell, but found the limited life a real issue. Curt

01-27-2008, 08:03 PM	#10
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	Would the C.R.I.S. adapter also work with a Spotmatic II? I'd love to get one if it'll work with it.

01-27-2008, 08:33 PM	#11
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	Not sure - though the K1000 link posted above says the HB works with all SPotmatics except the Spotmatic F. Check out the C.R.I.S. web site and see if they can give you an answer. My guess would be that if the Spot II used a RM400 battery, the HB will work... Curt