Comm. Spec. / AOR Battery Pack Fixit

[weirdjim]

Communications Specialists (Orange, CA) had AOR (Japan) private label an aircraft band handheld called the TR-720. Nice little unit in its day (1980s). Nicad battery pack(s - 2) have loong since gone to the great nicad heaven.

I asked this question about 18 months ago and have chased down a dozen empty ratholes for a year and a half and cannot find somebody to rebuild the battery pack ... except one company that wanted $1500 to do just one. I can buy a few Yaesus and throw this radio away, but I'm still looking for that little mom'n'pop shop that does it reasonably.

I suppose I could try and crack this one open and do it myself, but it is built like a shick brithouse and I'm not all that great with JB Weld putting little tiny pieces of plastic back together.

Any ideas?

THanks,

Jim

 

[asicer]

Any ideas?

Is it a complex shape? Or is it simple enough that someone could 3D-print a facsimile? Can you post a picture?

 

[weirdjim]

Is it a complex shape? Or is it simple enough that someone could 3D-print a facsimile? Can you post a picture?

Sure. Here you go. You can see that the mechanism is quite complex and trying to do a 3D and then get all the electrical and mechanical contacts put back on is going to be a real hard thing.

The more I think about it, the more I'd like to work with somebody that can mill off the bottom of the unit, then a 3D expert to make me a new bottom and I'll do the internals. As I recall, CS sold several thousand of these things and perhaps between the three of us we can help restore this good unit AND make a buck or two in the process



Thanks,

Jim

 

[asicer]

You can see that the mechanism is quite complex and trying to do a 3D and then get all the electrical and mechanical contacts put back on is going to be a real hard thing.

Actually, if you're going to be transferring the metal pieces then the overall shape does not seem difficult at all to 3D print.

But I think your hybrid approach (whack off just enough to gain access and 3D print a new door) is better. Waste not want not. Plus it retains the strength of the original joint.

 

[stevensun]

View attachment 86131 View attachment 86132

Sure. Here you go. You can see that the mechanism is quite complex and trying to do a 3D and then get all the electrical and mechanical contacts put back on is going to be a real hard thing.

The more I think about it, the more I'd like to work with somebody that can mill off the bottom of the unit, then a 3D expert to make me a new bottom and I'll do the internals. As I recall, CS sold several thousand of these things and perhaps between the three of us we can help restore this good unit AND make a buck or two in the process

View attachment 86131

Thanks,

Jim

Seems pretty easy to 3d print one. Do you know the voltage of the battery? Send me more info, I can print one for you for free. I am also good at electronic stuff, so maybe use some lipos and a voltage regulator.