For quite a while I have been looking for a source for the proper batteries for my two SDU-5/E Air force survival strobe lights as the batteries I got with them are long dead. They are mercury batteries and are no longer sold. Due to the unique construction and the 12v rating I couldn't see how to make anything else work. Then I saw a posting on a military collectors mailing list for adaptors which allow the use of lithium camera batteries. They are threaded brass caps with o ring seals that replace the ones built on to the BA-1574/U mercury batteries. I bought two of them and installed two Duracell DL123A camera batteries in each strobe. They work perfectly, are much cheaper than surplus mercury cells (if you can find any), and last twice as long. Also they are much more resistant to cold. I paid about 7 bucks each for the adaptors and seeing how well they are made it's a bargain. I have no connection with the maker, I am just a satisfied customer. For more information check out this URL: http://www.pacificsites.com/~brooke/5BA.shtml He is not a kayaker and didn't know of this list so I thought I'd pass the info along to some who could use it. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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