Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:

Hi guys,

I have a BP-160 and a BP-131 pack that are dead. I'd like to "refill"
them with locally available batteries, but can not get them open.

I'm in Israel, so it is not possible to just order a replacment or a
refill kit from the U.S. and there is NO ICOM dealer in this country.

I tried warming them with a hair dryer, but it did not seem to have
any effect. If they are sealed with melted glue, eventualy the heat
will open them, if they were ultrasonicly welded then I need to use
a dremel :-(

I found one web site that sells replacement inserts, but there was no
information I could find on the web on how to open them in the first
place.

Any help would be greatfully appriciated.

Thanks in advance and 73,

Geoff.



Hi Geoff, I believe they are ultrasonically welded together. What does
work (most of the time)
is to put the battery pack in the freezer and let it stay in there for
an hour or so.
When you take it out I usually put it on a solid floor with a "smack".
DON'T throw it, smack it down.
Most times this works fine.
If you smack it to hard, you may crack the case. Even if you get it
opened a little bit you can usually
split it further with a flat blade screwdriver. I have been doing this
for many years now, usually with good results.
In the days of the Icom IC-2AT or the IC-02ATs, the battery pack was
screwed together making it super easy
to refill it. Good Luck to you..
73

Gen. J. O'Neill
SG1