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Rechargeable pump

asher4444

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I wish they could come out with a pump that was rechargeable after a month instead of buying triple A batteries and if you for a battery you could plug it to a charger and so many mins later poof it's charged or one that you charge at night like a cell phone...it would seriously be so much easier...
 
Whilst that would be nice I fear that a rechargeable pump wouldn't last as long as it does with batteries. I mean phones these days barely last a few days. I made a mistake this month and forgot to order batteries with my other supplies so have to go out and buy my own. Whoops!
 
How much do the pump companies charge for batteries? 4x AAA Lithium batteries from Sainsbury's cost £7 and last a couple of months or so. If the pump company is charging more than that then I think we should just buy our own - as it seems to me to be wrong that they can charge more than a going rate for something so readily available.
 
ypsomed ( omnipod) supply the batteries free of charge

a set of 2 triple A lasts about 3 weeks in my PDM
 
I don't think I'd want a rechargeable pump. As @Nicola M says, I dont think it'd last as long. Also, it'd be awkward and annoying having to plug it in to recharge at night (how long would it take? Would you need to disconnect it?) And what if you were abroad and forgot your charger or conversion plug? It's much easier to get batteries.

On my old pump my batteries lasted 9+ weeks, and my current pump's batteries are approaching that (not actually measured but around 8 wks I think).
 
medtronic charge £5 for 4 AA alkaline batteries, think cheaper than the shops
 
Problem with rechargeable is they have about 1000 charges before they start losing the ability to charge fully. 10 AAA/AA batteries £1 in Poundland.
 
candi-girl said:
medtronic charge £5 for 4 AA alkaline batteries, think cheaper than the shops
Click to expand...
That's extremely expensive. 4x Duracell Power Plus Alkaline batteries cost £3.80 from Sainsbury's, so they are effectively generating at least a £1.20 ( or 32%) markup that the NHS is paying.

Isn't the Cellnovo a rechargeable pump?
 
Much like @Nicola M I wouldn't fancy the idea of rechargeable pump for the very same reasons. you can buy the AAA batteries quite cheaply from the likes of Screwfix & Toolstation, same as @himtoo mine last around 3 weeks before changing.
 
Plus I was at work and don't get me wrong I always have batteries but the place to the battery is what I mean it took me getting someone else to open it even tho I don't tighten it so much
 
asher4444 said:
Plus I was at work and don't get me wrong I always have batteries but the place to the battery is what I mean it took me getting someone else to open it even tho I don't tighten it so much
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What pump do you have? I've never had a problem opening the battery compartment. I have a little tool that came with my first pump, but I've also used a coin.
 
I always use a coin and idk how but sometimes it tightens way to much then when I do to loosen it I can't and I've actually broken the cap because of it
 
asher4444 said:
I always use a coin and idk how but sometimes it tightens way to much then when I do to loosen it I can't and I've actually broken the cap because of it
Click to expand...

I'm not T1, never mind a pump user, but wanted to comment that no gadget is ever perfect.

A least with replaceable batteries you can always carry them with you. Recharging a gadget, unexpectedly isn't always that convenient, I'd think. For instance, yesterday I spent a couple of hours in an airport awaiting a flight. We then had a short delay, then a 9 hour flight, then drive to the house. Recharging could have been tricky for much of that day.

Of course, that's not a typical day for anyone really, but the same could be true of a day of meetings, a conference, power outages (rarely planned), travel delays of all manner. Then every now and then rechargeable batteries need to be replaced, or at least that has been my experience with gadgets.

I appreciate in some countries batteries are more expensive, per unit, than in UK, but surely, like most places, if you use a lot, you would be able to find a supplier from whom you can buy in bulk at a discounted rate?
 
asher4444 said:
I always use a coin and idk how but sometimes it tightens way to much then when I do to loosen it I can't and I've actually broken the cap because of it
Click to expand...

Yes, it's really important not to over tighten it. I believe it can damage the casing aswell as the battery cap itself. I always follow the guidance in the pump manual about how much to tighten it as it's quite specific for different pump models. It generally needs to be 'done up' but not tight.
 
himtoo said:
ypsomed ( omnipod) supply the batteries free of charge

a set of 2 triple A lasts about 3 weeks in my PDM
Click to expand...
Lmao they charge your PCT at an over inflated price for them. I've seen what Animas charge for the energizer batteries (£4 each) so buy on the net for approx. £1.50 each
 
CarbsRok said:
Lmao they charge your PCT at an over inflated price for them. I've seen what Animas charge for the energizer batteries (£4 each) so buy on the net for approx. £1.50 each
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after reading this thread again and your most recent response my "light bulb" clicked on.
i have only been pumping for 4 1/2 months so the pack of 8 batteries came in my starter pack and I have some round the house already too ( tv and dvd remotes seem to gobble them ).

did not think of it in terms of ongoing cost etc etc.

I will ask my DSN what they get charged and will source myself in the future.
 
tim2000s said:
That's extremely expensive. 4x Duracell Power Plus Alkaline batteries cost £3.80 from Sainsbury's, so they are effectively generating at least a £1.20 ( or 32%) markup that the NHS is paying.

Isn't the Cellnovo a rechargeable pump?
Click to expand...

wow that's terrible, i always thought that was cheap. i will def buy my own then! don;t want to give medtronic any extra NHS money. i had a faulty box of infusion sets off them the other week. i asked them to send me a replacement and not charge the NHS once again, luckily they did.

I don't know, I only know the T Slim that is rechargeable.
 
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