[Milsurplus] [MRCA] BA-5590

[Peter Gottlieb]

I know I will get slammed for saying this, but be careful with those 5590s.  They can be dangerous if one of the cells has a higher self-discharge and goes negative during discharge due to having sat around too long.  Also they are a nightmare to safely dispose of.  And NEVER try to recharge them.

Before everyone jumps on me as being a left-wing socialist tree hugger, please be aware that I worked at a place where we made those batteries and saw blown up and totally burned radios, some of which had been accompanied by serious personal injury.  We also had a guy who took them home for various uses and just threw them away in the trash, and one day one ignited and set the side of his house on fire resulting in thousands of dollars of damage.  Another lost his car due to leaving one in a lantern in his trunk on a very hot day.

That said, they can be useful especially for long storage (if no bad cells inside) and for very cold environments.

I recently bought a box of 4 from someone, they had a date code showing they were about 18 months old.  Ask about the date code.  The more recent, the better.  But do remember they are primary batteries, so if they have been used you have no idea how much life remains.

Peter



Sep 10, 2010 08:58:43 AM, RAFANTINI at salisbury.edu wrote:

>Anyone have any experience buying BA-5590 batteries from EBay? I have to build up 
>a battery pack for my PRC-119 for next weekend for Gilbert (MRCA) and was looking 
>at several people who are selling BA-5590 packs for around $50 each and have to 
>wonder if they are any good, or worth the expense being they will cost $60 or $70 
>by the time you include shipping. The PRC-119 works on twelve volts so more than 
>likely will stuff a gel cell in the battery case for next weekend but somehow am 
>cautious about spending lots on cells from EBay.
>Ray Fantini KA3EKH
>
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