External battery case for Technics SL-XP700 / SL-XPS900

Hello forum!

During the last months I've been toying around with a couple of players that came to my hands: a Technics SL-XP700 with a severe case of brittle ABS; and a Technics SL-XPS900 with a case of missing battery. After the former player was restored to a functional state, I then had to find a way to power them up. For starters, the XP700 uses a 4.5V power supply, while the XPS900 uses a 3V one (why Technics, why?). On top, both players use gum stick batteries. That on itself is not an issue, but I didn't want to buy a new set of batteries and charger. Plus, the battery contacts on the XP700 were corroded beyond repair.

Researching online I found that both players could be fitted with a battery case that screws to the back of the player, as the one depicted below. However, nowadays those thins are basically unobtanium, so I had to get creative.


After some testing on both players, I noticed that they both use the same mounting points, and the polarity of the contacts on the back was the same. So, I decided to try my luck and DIY a case. And to that, I succeeded. Below, you can see one caddy attached to the XPS900:



And the same for the XP700:


The case was 3D printed with matte PLA. The contacts for the batteries I got from Amazon (AAA size to keep the case as small as possible). The pogo pins I also ordered over Amazon. They are spring loaded and protrude just enough to make contact with the matching connectors on the player. They are welded on the inside to the corresponding terminals on the battery contacts:


The whole assembly is held in place with a M3 screw. The smaller M2 screw above it holds the middle section in place, which has a bridge to connect both batteries in series and also covers the back of the pogo pins:


The batteries are then enclosed with a clip-on cover. I could have made a hinge of the sorts, but I spent already an ungodly amount of time designing and printing this concept. Plus, the batteries last quite a while. Using regular Eneloop batteries, I am getting several hours of usage.



If you are interested in McGuivering yourself such a case, I can gladly share the STL files and a short BOM with the required parts. Or, if you are in Continental Europe, I could build one for you for for a relatively low price.

Greetings from Germany!

 

Always inspirational to see ground up 3D print builds to restore missing parts

For Sony, I noticed some months ago an e-bay store, selling reproductions of what appeared to be several dozen external battery cases (gondola) and / or holders and battery door covers for various models.

 

Nice work, well done!