DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
The first Texas Instruments calculator, the Datamath, used rechargeable NiCd (nickel-cadmium) batteries. They were soldered together and firmly mounted inside the calculator housing. Later the people at TI changed the housing and added a trap door. From this time customers could either use standard AA-cells or rechargeable batteries of the same size.
Starting with the SR-50 Texas Instruments introduced so called "Battery Packs" or BP's. The technique used inside these removable BP's changed over the time from a simple battery holder to a module with integrated electronic to charge the battery and lift the voltage of one or two cells to a more common 9V voltage.
Although most of the BP's look very similar, they are not compatible. Here is a list to give a reference from a BP to the possible TI calculator and the associated Charger (US and European models).
Don't miss this link: Repair a Battery Pack.
Type | Cells | Voltage | TI calculators | Charger |
BP1 | 3*AA | 3.6V | SR-50, SR-51 | AC9200 AC9900 |
BP1A | 3*AA | 3.6V | BP1 could be replaced with BP1A SR-50A, SR51A, SR52, SR56 TI-58, TI-58C, TI-59 |
AC9130
AC9900/E AC9131 AC9900/H |
BP2 | 2*AA | 2.4V | TI-2550 II | AC9130 AC9900/E |
BP3 | 1*AA | 1.2V | TI-2550 III | AC9130A AC9900/E |
BP4 | 2*AA | 2.4V | TI-2550-IV | AC9900/H |
BP5 | 1*AA | 9V | 1976-1977: SR-40, TI-30, TI-31, BA RK1 (Rechargeable Kit introduced 1976) |
AC9131 AC9900/H |
BP6 | 2*AA | 2.4V | SR-51-II, TI-57 (1977) | AC9131 AC9900/H |
BP7 | 2*AA | 9V | TI-51-III, TI-55, TI-57 (1978), TI-42 MBA, MBA | AC9132 AC9900/R |
BP8 | 2*AA | 9V | 1978-1981: SR-40, TI-15, TI-30, TI-31, TI-33,
TI-41, TI-45, BA, BA1, Money Manager, Programmer RK2 (Rechargeable Kit introduced 1976), RK3 (European Version) |
AC9132 AC9900/R |
BP9 | 2*AA | 9V | TI-45 | |
BP88 | 1*AA | 1.2V | TI-88 | AC9133 |
BP200 | 4*D | 4.8V | SR-22 | AC9222 |
Fine print: This list was compiled carefully but we are not responsible if someone destroys his or her calculator due to information of it.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, 2001 - 2022. No reprints without written permission.