hello lou, ok maybe so.  but if your friend pulled the backup cell, 
then the unit has forgotten everything.  you need to reload the 
firmware but it may go deeper then that.  take care, c u 73 mike



At 01:37 PM 7/18/2013, you wrote:
>Thanks, Mike.  These units are from the 90's and the packs may have been
>soldered in back then.  I may forward this to Kurt for his reference.  Lou
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mike Cozzolino" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 3:52 PM
>Subject: Re: OT: Braille lite 40 question
>
>
> > hello lou, i have changed the battery pack on several braille lites
> > and there is no problem changing them.  the pack is made up of 5
> > batteries in series and a second 5 in parallel for higher
> > current.  the battery pac is a plug in unit and is glued in the
> > case.  i had a company in colorado called car-go build me 20 packs
> > and they did a great job.  i sent them a pack that came out of a
> > braille lite and they duplicated it.  as far as the display is
> > concerned maybe he broke a wire or maybe he didn't get something
> > plugged in correct.  when opening the unit, you can just fold the
> > unit open and replace the battery pack and fold it shut and put the
> > screws back in and you are ready to go.  remember the batteries are
> > not charged up when you get them so charge the unit for say 10 hours
> > before you try to use it.  the display won't work unless the power is
> > there.  hope this helps lou, take care, c u 73 mike w6quv
> >
> >
> >
> > At 11:14 AM 7/18/2013, you wrote:
> >>I know this is off-topic, but at least it shouldn't generate flames and =
> >>swearing, and I do use these units in the shack.
> >>
> >>Anyone on list familiar with the circuitry of the Braille Lite 40?  I =
> >>have a friend who is offering to try to replace the battery packs in =
> >>several units for me.  I sent him my oldest unit first to experiment =
> >>with since I didn't really care what happened to that one.  He got the =
> >>batteries in but now when he turns it on, it just beeps and no Braille =
> >>comes up.  Has it lost the firmware?  He did find a lithium battery for =
> >>the memorie which seems to be good.  It measures 3 volts.  I've now sent =
> >>him another unit along with a charger so he can keep it powered while he =
> >>changes the cells.  Any observations apreciated.  73,  Lou