Okay, this is not really something that I would normally post to ".components" - but there are so few usenet groups left active (and I can't find anything on the web).
I've got an old Dustbuster DB800 that uses those NiCd Versapak cartridge battery packs. The wall wart charger (which is hardwired to the DB wall mount) says 4.35 Vdc, 450 ma. But I check it, and no DC out. Further, more checking reveals it puts out about 12V AC (no load). Hmmm... shorted diode rectifier?
So I cut it open - no rectifier at all. JUST A TRANSFORMER. No wonder it puts out AC. Rectifier must be in the DB itself. Take it apart. Nope! Direct connection from the transformer to the batteries. Tested transformer - just a few ohms winding resistance, no "hidden" diode.
So what's the deal? Do these "Versapak" batteries from Black & Decker have a built-in rectifier? They say 3.6 Vdc on them, which would be 3 sub-C cells with no diode drop. Any idea what gives???
----------------------------------------------- James M. Knox TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
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