It isn't that difficult to replace the batteries inside. They use 1/3 AA
NiCad batteries. You won't find 1/3 AA NiMh batteries available anywhere
because they are not manufactured. People have attempted(successfully?)
disassembling Varta 9 volt NiMh batteries and reassembling the individual
cells around the tripod mount post inside. Problem with NiMh is they are
much more particular about how they are re-charged(look on the web under
forums for RC cars and the like. Those guys know battery systems
inside-out!). The original charger, intended for the NiCad's will not
provide an ideal charging rate and the batteries will either deteriorate
over time or self-destruct. The NiCad's actually have higher capacity than
the morphodite 9 volt Varta de-construction and discharge at an evenly
higher rate, but of course, they are subject to developing a charge
"memory". I've looked at using Li-Ion gel cells, but same issue with
charging only to a much higher degree. NiMh would be the answer if you
could get them in 1/3 AA size, and of course, have a proper charger.
> As for NiMH, there are instructions for rebuilding the batteries (just
> search on battery and MD2), but the consensus is you do NOT want to use
> NiMH. I won't repeat the details here, but it is in the archives.
> There is a company that will sell you, for a reasonable price, a
> prebuilt battery that is pretty easy to put in. Can't remember the URL
> (somebody jump in), but I THINK it was www.maxxprod.com You have to
> tell them it is for an Olympus Winder (OK, they don't know the
> difference) and I think it was about US$35.
>
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