12C battery life: 3xLR44 model vs. 1xCR2032 model

[Don Shepherd]

(04-23-2020 03:07 PM)Dave Britten Wrote:  Out of curiosity, has anybody analyzed the expected battery life of the older 12Cs that use 3 LR44 cells compared to the Chinese models that use a single CR2032? This model was sold just prior to the ARM-based version that uses 2 CR2032s, so it should have theoretically about the same power requirements, given that it still uses a Nut CPU.

An LR44 is allegedly around 120 mAH (that estimate remains the same when they're in series, right?), a silver-oxide 357 around 150 mAH, and a CR2032 is around 220 mAH.

I don't know the exact date range that the 1xCR2032 model was produced, but mine appears to be from 2002 according to the serial number. Incidentally, the keyboard feel on these models is outstanding, but the orange and blue keyboard legends aren't nearly as bright and readable.

Dave, I can't speak for the LR44 cells in the early 12c's because my oldest 12c is from 2001 and it has the single 2032. I have two of the newer fast 12c+'s with 2 2032's as well. These 2032 cells last a long time. I can't remember when or if the original cells needed replacement.

The LR44 cells in my 17b and 17bii's do need replacement more frequently than the 2032's. I buy them in bulk on Amazon at reasonable prices. I have recently acquired a 19b and 19bii that use the N cells, I'm anxious to see how long they last because they are a pain in the arse to change (side batt door, but in good shape).