I have been reading what various folks have to say about the Z88 Power Supply, and the types of batteries to use, so I thought I would add my little contribution to the discussion,
When I first got my Z88, I had to use batteries, so, as I had some Ni-Cad lying around I used them, and I found that they worked fine. I had no real Problems. Perhaps I did not get the full twenty hours out of a set of batteries, but what I did get was quite adequate for me. Problem was that two sets were required, so I got a second set that was of a different manufacture as the first so that when a battery change was being made, there was no chance of a mix-up. I was happy with what I now had.
[Figure: hummingbird at a flower]
I eventually allowed myself to be convinced that the alkaline battery was the way to go. So I bought a charger and two sets of batteries, and right away I saw a problem – how to keep the two sets apart, so I solved that one by getting some very thin bright red plastic paper and pasted a strip about a half inch wide, around each battery of one set with this. Works great!
Yes! I do believe the Alkies last longer, as to brighter representation, I don’t think so.
How do I keep my spare set in the traveling case I use for the Z88? Well, I had been putting some of that round plastic foam insulation on my hot water pipes, so I took a short piece about 8½ inches long, glued a plug in one end, inserted the batteries, and found a plastic plug for the other end. Now I have no more loose batteries rattling around.
This being Income Tax time, I, like everyone else, had to get out my old printing calculator, only to find that it was “Out of order” close inspection showed that one of the rubber bands that carry the numerals had broken. I guess it had deteriorated over the years, and just became brittle.
What to do now was the question, so I hied over to my local Business Depot, and found I could get a 6 x 8 inch printing calculator for $39.95, which was a lot less than what I paid for the broken one, and less than a repair job would probably be.
The digital display was about ¾ of an inch high, gosh, even I can read that size! This little beasty also worked off four AA batteries, so I brought one home with me, inserted my old Ni-Cad batteries, and off to the races. Boy! could that little thing really trot! Did as much as my old expensive one ever did, and equally fast too.
The price also included an adapter, so I had a printing calculator using the standard 2¼ inch paper, that works off both battery and mains — what more can a man ask for?
I looked at the adapter. Thought about the four AA batteries — Six volts. What was the adapter end like? Looked awful like the end that would fit into the Z88. Plugged the adapter into the wall, out with the voltmeter, checked voltage. Yep, OK, checked if center was positive, Yep. Hey man! this could work the Z88! Plugged it into the Z88 orifice, OK. Removed the batteries, OK. Okay! I now had a mains powered and battery powered Z88, and also a mains powered and battery powered Printing calculator. All portable! The one adapter can be used for both units. I can’t complain about that — could, or would you?
Now in case you are interested, the calculator is a Canon P20-DH. The adapter used is a Canon AD-11. 6 volts, 300 ma.
I now have a portable computer, and a portable printing calculator with large display.
With that setup I would not call the King my cousin. Would you?