From: Dave Arnett <davea@cv.hp.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp48
Subject: Re: Improved HPs
Date: 11 Sep 1996 17:19:36 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, MCD

[Note: This subject never dies! Which is just as well. We all
 need a good laugh once in a while.  -jkh-]

> Balance out the current drain from the batteries, so that the
> middle one doesn't die first.

That's a tough one to change.  The middle one drains first because 
of centrifugal effects.  The zig-zag pattern of installation helps,
because it lowers the power system inductance, decreasing the 
gyromagnetic moment.  One option we discussed is to have an alarm 
preprogrammed which, when it goes off, suggests that you remove your 
batteries an rearrange them.  This would be comparable to rotating
the tires on the car every six months.  We didn't do this because 
the alarm repeat interval would be different in the Southern Hemisphere
from that in the Northern Hemisphere, and we didn't want to seem
insensitive to our intenational customer base.

And if you believe that, I can offer you a real bargain on the 
Brooklyn-Wheatstone Bridge.

Dave.
--------
I don't speak for HP or for the City of Wheatstone Public Works Dept.
when I post here.


