Thread: TRITON respirator

I really wouldn't...

In a perfect world, it shouldn't be too much of a problem but if the quality of the batteries and charging system in their cordless drill is anything to go by it will lower the life of it a fair bit.

The batteries in the Triton respirator are NiCads. The life span will be significantly shortened if they are left on the charger on a semi-permanent basis. Google for NiCad and memory effect for more details.

Triton should have used Nickel-Metal Hydride, or better still Lithium Ion batteries in my opinion.

Thanks guys for your replies.
Terry.

I don't know if anyone is still interested in this thread anymore, but I'll try a post here. I have a Triton respirator and use it daily. The weak link is definitely the battery. While cleaning the filters, I noticed that they are just two NiCD D cell batteries. I have two packs to keep the unit ready at all times, but I'm seriously considering attempting to replace these with NiMH D cells to see if there is any improvement. Any thoughts? Has anyone else tried it?

Originally Posted by bnieco

I don't know if anyone is still interested in this thread anymore, but I'll try a post here. I have a Triton respirator and use it daily. The weak link is definitely the battery. While cleaning the filters, I noticed that they are just two NiCD D cell batteries. I have two packs to keep the unit ready at all times, but I'm seriously considering attempting to replace these with NiMH D cells to see if there is any improvement. Any thoughts? Has anyone else tried it?

Not a good idea. The charging characteristics of NiMH cells vs. NiCds is quite different. You may not only damage the cells, but the surrounding plastic enclosure by using a NiCd charger with NiMH cells. A MUCH better approach would be to rig up an external enclosure, with NiMHs and a dedicated NiMH charger.

And by the way - Triton had to change the design half way thru' - there are 4 batteries, 2 are hidden away deep inside the box & the other 2 are the ones you have already seen.

You can buy 'D' sized NiCad batteries with tags from somewhere like Jaycar, or you could bypass the internal battery area altogether, install a 3mm headphone jack wired to the terminals & put a 4xAA battery case in a pocket on the belt with an extension to a 3mm headphone plug - you can then use standard AA rechargeables, which now have capacity very much like 'D' cell rechargeables but at lower cost.

Hi There,

Specifications say BATTERY: 6.0V DC Ni-Cd. Also, I thought that I recalled someone mentioning that there are actually 5 D cells in the Power Module.

For what its worth. I run mine flat and then fully re-charge prior to next use, and after 3 years is still going strong.

Best regards, Interwood

Originally Posted by bsrlee

install a 3mm headphone jack...

No, use a DC power style plug. As a headphone jack goes in, it momentarily shorts across its two connectors. It is not a good idea to use one for power (rather than signal) level inputs.

Interested in the AA battery conversion, what capacity and how long do they run at full power?

( I had the 5 D batteries renewed last year, not cheap), but would be interested in having an alternative power supply to run inconjunction when D's are flat and then go completely AA.

Any experiences out there.
(BTW cannot get the respirator or parts in the UK owing to EU standards)

Can you check what capacity the D's used are? Without knowing that it is hard to say. What can be said is that the capacity of Ni-Mh AA's is going up steadily, such that quite often a modern AA will have a greater capacity than an old D. You can get AA Ni-Mh at 2500mA/hrs without trouble.

Originally Posted by princhester

Can you check what capacity the D's used are? Without knowing that it is hard to say. What can be said is that the capacity of Ni-Mh AA's is going up steadily, such that quite often a modern AA will have a greater capacity than an old D. You can get AA Ni-Mh at 2500mA/hrs without trouble.

There are 5 D cells, each 1.2v 500mAh.
Ni-Mh Solder tag D cells at 2500mAh and 4500mAh are readily available and are easily fitted to the unit.

Couldnt get them here last year when I wanted them. so still running the old type nicads.

Originally Posted by Sprog

There are 5 D cells, each 1.2v 500mAh.
Ni-Mh Solder tag D cells at 2500mAh and 4500mAh are readily available and are easily fitted to the unit.

This is very bad advice. NiMH cells should never be substituted for NiCds unless serious investigation into the charging system is not done first. NiCds and NiMH cells have fundamentally different charging requirements.

Yes, you are correct. I should have said that you may need to look into the charging circuit and not assumed that someone who attempted to replace the batteries would have enough intelligence to realise this.