duo 230 battery

[Dan K]

I wrote:
>> Also, stop by your local R/C hobby center, NiMH 9.6v 2000mah packs
>> consisting of 8 tabbed AA cells sell for ~US$22-25 around here. Since a
>> 12v Duo pack needs 10 cells you'd need two packs though. Perhaps 12v R/C
>> packs (10 cell) are available . . . ?

Then Tom wrote:
>Only the type I batteries take AA cells, all the others take 4/5 AA's.

This is true, and not especially relevant. The type of cell is what's 
important, not the physical size. High capacity AA NiMH cells weren't 
commonly available when the Types 2 and 3 batteries were introduced, 
leading Apple to spec the larger 4/5 A cells. Modern battery technology 
allows the same or better capacity in the smaller AA form factor.

Of course one can source even higher capacity 4/5 A cells but the cost 
will be higher too. Also the AA size is commonly available, where the 4/5 
A is not. 

The things I consider important are: the cells must be the correct type, 
be chargable and produce the correct voltage, and they must fit inside a 
Duo battery case. If they happen to be higher capacity than the 
originals, so much the better.

Here's an interesting item for those looking to build a battery pack, 
apparently one _can_ solder tabs onto batteries:
<http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCMC2&P=M>

Dan K