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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: Zelko-4-EVA on November 13, 2025, 08:56:56 AM
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i looked at M&R prices and compared what i paid in the past. what used to be a $50 battery is now $150 - $100 more for the same battery?
its a bit of a shock, my shopping cart at M&R is up to $830 to replace the batteries in the five autos.
has anyone else used batteries from amazon or other sources? what were the results?
thanks in advance
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M&R doesn't make batteries, but they might put connectors on them.
I wouldn't go with amazon, but Mouser or Digikey will have quality products.
(there's actually a lot of shadiness in the battery world)
We have used them for our MHM and they've been fine.
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Yes, I used mouser for the battery for our old old M&R i-image. I think it was like $12.
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I don't mind paying a premium for M&R to have the parts on hand for us, saves me from hunting/finding/etc.
BUT some times the prices are ridiculous and I can't believe they do it with a straight face.
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LOL! PLC battery FX3U-32BL (Cobra, Sportsman, Stryker, etc) is a common coin cell battery with a cable termination soldered to it. No need to pay M&R prices. These are easily had on Amazon.
Other Mitsubishi batteries for servo, etc can be found at Mouser, Digikey, even McMaster Carr or or local electronics stores.
I appreciate M&R for certain items but they are mostly highway robbery when it comes to off the shelf parts. Quartz lamps, batteries, fasteners, SMC parts, etc.
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Add muffin fan's to that list...had to buy some for our dryer even Rich was shocked at the price when we talked, and Anatol is no better on part's like Brandt I don't mine paying for the correct part but dang get out my pocket
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To some extent it makes sense, you are only going to sell so many actual machines.
A %50 premium for making it convenient is fine, %500 is not.
The weird thing is when their actual bespoke parts, weldments and whatnot, are surprisingly inexpensive.
If anyone needs assistance identifying/sourcing parts post them here. It's a hobby of mine at this point.
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To some extent it makes sense, you are only going to sell so many actual machines.
A %50 premium for making it convenient is fine, %500 is not.
The weird thing is when their actual bespoke parts, weldments and whatnot, are surprisingly inexpensive.
If anyone needs assistance identifying/sourcing parts post them here. It's a hobby of mine at this point.
wouldn't mind ya starting a "sticky" thread on that. Parts are brutal to source sometimes.
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Batteries plus or Interstate Battery store sometime can make them up for you also. This the fun of them now being owned by hedge funds they screw things up!!!
My opinion!
Shane
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Ok, I'm going to ask. Where on your press is there a battery? I have a M&R Diamondback S and can't find any reference for where a battery might be hiding.
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wouldn't mind ya starting a "sticky" thread on that. Parts are brutal to source sometimes.
Haha we're all clearly getting to CRS age. There's apparently a section just for this already!
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Ok, I'm going to ask. Where on your press is there a battery? I have a M&R Diamondback S and can't find any reference for where a battery might be hiding.
the servo amplifier and the PLC on our Gauntlets and challenger have a battery. i dont know about diamondbacks...
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my gauntlet has 2 1997 model g2. so some have more than you think.
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Ok, I'm going to ask. Where on your press is there a battery? I have a M&R Diamondback S and can't find any reference for where a battery might be hiding.
the servo amplifier and the PLC on our Gauntlets and challenger have a battery. i dont know about diamondbacks...
Yeah, my press is pretty basic. I crawled all over it with a flashlight after seeing this and haven't come across anything but lint and grease I should clean. Thank you :-)
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Any PLC that needs to remember user settings will have one. It's usually under a door/cover near the CPU part of the PLC.
IE where the main model number is.
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Should add, some old PLC's will lose their entire program if the battery dies or if the battery is disconnected with the main power off.
Major ordeal, so look twice before you jump.
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Should add, some old PLC's will lose their entire program if the battery dies or if the battery is disconnected with the main power off.
Major ordeal, so look twice before you jump.
MnR well known for PLCs loosing the program! As eb said, make sure your press is on before you pull the battery out of the PLC!
pj
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To some extent it makes sense, you are only going to sell so many actual machines.
A %50 premium for making it convenient is fine, %500 is not.
The weird thing is when their actual bespoke parts, weldments and whatnot, are surprisingly inexpensive.
If anyone needs assistance identifying/sourcing parts post them here. It's a hobby of mine at this point.
wouldn't mind ya starting a "sticky" thread on that. Parts are brutal to source sometimes.
in another thread Evo posted a good source for the flame rods and spark plugs for the Sprint 2000. i bought two spark (one for each dryer) and one flame rod - lots cheaper than from M&R.
for some reason i have a bunch of failed electrical connectors on our SMC valves (Gauntlet 3 and Challenger 3 have them on the printheads) - i bought these to replace the connector instead of the whole valve: https://us.rs-online.com/product/smc-corporation/v111-5loz/70399581/
its $20 instead of $90
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in another thread Evo posted a good source for the flame rods and spark plugs for the Sprint 2000. i bought two spark (one for each dryer) and one flame rod - lots cheaper than from M&R.
for some reason i have a bunch of failed electrical connectors on our SMC valves (Gauntlet 3 and Challenger 3 have them on the printheads) - i bought these to replace the connector instead of the whole valve: https://us.rs-online.com/product/smc-corporation/v111-5loz/70399581/
its $20 instead of $90
I believe Auburn is the manufacturer of the flame rods/spark plugs. Luckily they are used in HVAC so not super difficult to find.
The one thing I like about SMC valves is how modular they are. You can order every single individual part.
(which can actually make ordering the whole valve difficult) They even sell rebuild kits if you ask hard enough and wait 4 months for Japan to ship.
Odd on the electrical problem with the valves. We've had every other problem with them but not that one haha.
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in another thread Evo posted a good source for the flame rods and spark plugs for the Sprint 2000. i bought two spark (one for each dryer) and one flame rod - lots cheaper than from M&R.
for some reason i have a bunch of failed electrical connectors on our SMC valves (Gauntlet 3 and Challenger 3 have them on the printheads) - i bought these to replace the connector instead of the whole valve: https://us.rs-online.com/product/smc-corporation/v111-5loz/70399581/
its $20 instead of $90
I believe Auburn is the manufacturer of the flame rods/spark plugs. Luckily they are used in HVAC so not super difficult to find.
The one thing I like about SMC valves is how modular they are. You can order every single individual part.
(which can actually make ordering the whole valve difficult) They even sell rebuild kits if you ask hard enough and wait 4 months for Japan to ship.
Odd on the electrical problem with the valves. We've had every other problem with them but not that one haha.
we moved the Gauntlet 3 to a new location and i think they just got bumped a bit.
the challenger 3 was a used press - everything was covered in glue. the electrical connectors were damaged in shipment/setup/cleaning...