MZ-M100 battery question

[danielmak]

Hi. I am new to the forum and have searched to see if this issue came up elsewhere but did not see anything. I teach an audio doc class and use MiniDisc recorders in the class. Last year I purchased 5 MZ-M100 recorders. The batteries on all of these recorders are already dead; they will not re-charge. The recorders will play and record if plugged in but are dead when not running on the AC adaptor. So my question is two-fold: (1) did anyone else have problems with such a short battery life (by comparison my MZ-R50 from 1999 is still doing great) and if so was there any way to get Sony to provide new batteries? (2) Any recommendations on places to get cheap batteries? Thanks.

[Avrin]

The M100 is just a modification of the RH10. So:

(1) Where did you get those five?

(2) Were the batteries (NH-14WM, if I remember right) carrying the MADE IN JAPAN inscription on a side, and a recommendation to be charged by a "charging system designated "FOR NH-10 WM""?

If you answer Yes to any part of the second question, then you have counterfeit batteries. And you are really lucky, since they didn't swell inside any unit! Just buy a set of GP gumsticks and a (set of) GP charger(s) for those. These are really made to last!

Edited September 26, 2007 by Avrin

[Strungup]

Hi. I am new to the forum and have searched to see if this issue came up elsewhere but did not see anything. I teach an audio doc class and use MiniDisc recorders in the class. Last year I purchased 5 MZ-M100 recorders. The batteries on all of these recorders are already dead; they will not re-charge. The recorders will play and record if plugged in but are dead when not running on the AC adaptor. So my question is two-fold: (1) did anyone else have problems with such a short battery life (by comparison my MZ-R50 from 1999 is still doing great) and if so was there any way to get Sony to provide new batteries? (2) Any recommendations on places to get cheap batteries? Thanks.

Also to add to 440 ( he is right about the fakes, and the GP's I have a couple . )

NMHD batteries , if you let them drain completely down , as in Dead , which I can easily see happening in a classsroom situation , ........ They will not charge .

Once you allow NMHD batts to go completely down the chemicals inside begin to catylize , and crystallization occurs in the cathode ends . You dont see it because it happens inside the battery .

at "Low Batt" it needs to be on the charger, and fairly soon . If it shows "Low Batt" and you let it sit overnight , you wil likely kill the battery .

NiCads, NmHD 's and Lion's all have self depletion rates that vary ,but the do deplete fairly quickly , when not used or stored in the unit .

[danielmak]

Thanks for the replies. I purchased the recorders from Sam Ash. The batteries are Sony rechargeable N-14WM(A) Nickel-Metal Hydride with Stamina written on them (which is ironic). It's safe to say that they did drain all the way down since the students don't keep track of battery life. The batteries were never removed from the units other than when I took each one out to see if there was corrosion on the top.

So, what do y'all recommend since I don't have the budget to keep buying $25 batteries that are going to last one year. Should I just use the double-A attachments instead or will the GP gumsticks last like the battery in my MZ-R50 that will last for 5-6 years at least? Finally, if I do buy the GP batteries, can't I just charge them by charging the full unit with the AC adapter or do I actually need a separate charging system? Thanks again.

[Strungup]

Thanks for the replies. I purchased the recorders from Sam Ash. The batteries are Sony rechargeable N-14WM(A) Nickel-Metal Hydride with Stamina written on them (which is ironic). It's safe to say that they did drain all the way down since the students don't keep track of battery life. The batteries were never removed from the units other than when I took each one out to see if there was corrosion on the top.

So, what do y'all recommend since I don't have the budget to keep buying $25 batteries that are going to last one year. Should I just use the double-A attachments instead or will the GP gumsticks last like the battery in my MZ-R50 that will last for 5-6 years at least? Finally, if I do buy the GP batteries, can't I just charge them by charging the full unit with the AC adapter or do I actually need a separate charging system? Thanks again.

The GP's will charge just like the Sony's ,no worry I have a set in my CD player , and charge them all the time.

[danielmak]

The GP's will charge just like the Sony's ,no worry I have a set in my CD player , and charge them all the time.

I just read on another forum that one of the concerns about the GPs and using the GP charger is that the flimsy battery door might break and the metal connection on the inside of this door will start to wear down by taking the GPs in and out. Any truth to this?

Also, I found these Sony's listed on Ebay. Does anyone have any experience with these; the batteries are not the same as the orange ones that were in my recorders or that are sold on minidisco.org: http://search.ebay.com/nh-14wm_W0QQfnuZ1QQ...fsopZ3QQxpufuZx

Thanks again. I'm not trying to drag this thread on forever; just trying to avoid a situation where students, who is just learning to record, find themselves with dead batteries. Take care.

[pindralprogger]

Sorry to thread jump, but I'm also having a problem with my MZ-M100 battery too, perhaps info/help pertaining to both problems here can help us both out.

The battery would not charge anymore. The unit works with AC power or with the external AA adaptor. So I thought it was time to buy a new battery. I bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Prismatic-NH-14WM...4QQcmdZViewItem

I installed the new battery and tried to charge...same deal...nothing...the charge screen flashes for a moment then goes black.

Think the both batteries are really dead or the MD is having some issues? Anyway to test the batteries?

Thanks in advance.

[Strungup]

I just read on another forum that one of the concerns about the GPs and using the GP charger is that the flimsy battery door might break and the metal connection on the inside of this door will start to wear down by taking the GPs in and out. Any truth to this?

Also, I found these Sony's listed on Ebay. Does anyone have any experience with these; the batteries are not the same as the orange ones that were in my recorders or that are sold on minidisco.org: http://search.ebay.com/nh-14wm_W0QQfnuZ1QQ...fsopZ3QQxpufuZx

Thanks again. I'm not trying to drag this thread on forever; just trying to avoid a situation where students, who is just learning to record, find themselves with dead batteries. Take care.

I dont use the GP charger , I charge them in the CD player , also in the MD , no problem .

[Farmpunk]

I'm having similar problems with my MzM100 batteries. The battery that came with the md originally worked fine. Then I didn't use it for eight months, and the battery wouldn't charge. I ordered two new batteries from Sony, and am now attempting to charge them. Attempting being the proper word here. Neither will accept a charge from the charger. The unit works when plugged in, but the charging screen does not appear. It will occasionally flash up and then disappear. I'm trying to charge the battery from the usb connection but that doesn't seem to be working either. The flashing battery appears in the upper corner of my screen but there's no life when I unplug.

Could someone supply a link to GP gumsticks?

[Strungup]

I'm having similar problems with my MzM100 batteries. The battery that came with the md originally worked fine. Then I didn't use it for eight months, and the battery wouldn't charge. I ordered two new batteries from Sony, and am now attempting to charge them. Attempting being the proper word here. Neither will accept a charge from the charger. The unit works when plugged in, but the charging screen does not appear. It will occasionally flash up and then disappear. I'm trying to charge the battery from the usb connection but that doesn't seem to be working either. The flashing battery appears in the upper corner of my screen but there's no life when I unplug.

Could someone supply a link to GP gumsticks?

http://www.gpbattery.com/index_files/Consumer_NiMH.htm Scroll down to the bottom

[psafier]

I have the identical problem and remain convinced that the charging circuit in the MZ-M100 does not work. I purchased a green gumstick battery that says PDA 85NMH which also does not charge in the unit.

While still within the warranty period, it had a problem which the repair facility fixed. I have also had 2 HiMD discs fail.

How about a class action suit against SONY? Maybe that would get them to deal with the problems with this obviously defective product! Let me know if interested... I know a great lawyer.

I'm having similar problems with my MzM100 batteries. The battery that came with the md originally worked fine. Then I didn't use it for eight months, and the battery wouldn't charge. I ordered two new batteries from Sony, and am now attempting to charge them. Attempting being the proper word here. Neither will accept a charge from the charger. The unit works when plugged in, but the charging screen does not appear. It will occasionally flash up and then disappear. I'm trying to charge the battery from the usb connection but that doesn't seem to be working either. The flashing battery appears in the upper corner of my screen but there's no life when I unplug.

Could someone supply a link to GP gumsticks?

[sonyhimdfan]

I have the identical problem and remain convinced that the charging circuit in the MZ-M100 does not work. I purchased a green gumstick battery that says PDA 85NMH which also does not charge in the unit.

While still within the warranty period, it had a problem which the repair facility fixed. I have also had 2 HiMD discs fail.

How about a class action suit against SONY? Maybe that would get them to deal with the problems with this obviously defective product! Let me know if interested... I know a great lawyer.

Hi, I've just joined this forum and found interesting discussions going on!! My MZ-100 was twice repaired under Sony's warranty for the same rechargeable battery problem. The battery started to fail to engage. (If this is the right word).

Several months later problem came up again after Sony's warranty expired but fortunately I had bought extended warranty through Musician's Friend. 3 weeks later I received "unrepairable and discarded" notice together with an original purchase price check.

I thought something must be wrong with this model from the start, however Sony didn't tell me that other people are having the similar problems.

I also have RH1 model (similar to MZ M200) and it has been working fine for almost 10 months now. But it is not same as M100 model and I kind of miss it. I wished the shop returned it to me so I can still use it with AA battery and/or AC adapter.