RFX6000 Battery: Compatible Cameras

RFX6000 is the short name for the proprietary battery pack of the Rolleiflex 6000 medium format series. The original is a NiCd battery with a nominal voltage of 9,6 V in a characteristic six-pin cage, although internally only three pins are soldered (plus, minus and a thermistor for charge monitoring). Today, the original NiCd cells are virtually without exception unusable due to their age, and there is no longer a commercial manufacturer offering a 1:1 replacement.

The original RFX6000 cage is mechanically and electrically compatible with all cameras of the Rolleiflex 6000 system family: Rolleiflex SLX (original model, from 1976), Rolleiflex 6002, Rolleiflex 6006 (incl. model 2), Rolleiflex 6003 (SRC 1000 and Professional), Rolleiflex 6001 as well as the 6008 series (6008 Professional, 6008i, 6008 E). Our battery adapter is intended for the SLX, 6001, 6002, 6003 and 6006, not for the 6008 series; a new version that should also work with the 6008 is in development. We have not tested the 6001 RCC ourselves; details and our generous return policy can be found in the listing. Which fuse rating (0.8 A, 1.0 A or 1.25 A) needs to sit in the cage depends on the specific model; according to rolleigraphy.eu: 0.8 A for SLX, 6002 and 6006 (original versions); 1.0 A for 6006 model 2 and 6003 SRC 1000; 1.25 A for 6001 Professional and 6003 Professional. You can find the complete compatibility list with a search function at the top of this page.

After 30 to 40 years of service life, the original NiCd battery packs are almost without exception defective. NiCd cells suffer from the memory effect, self-discharge and chemical ageing of the electrodes, and reactivating them is usually not worth it. Original NiCd packs are no longer being produced; in addition, the EU Battery Directive 2006/66/EC has severely restricted portable NiCd batteries for the consumer market. If you use a Rolleiflex 6000 today, you essentially have three options: having an old cage converted to NiMH cells (for example at specialised Rollei service workshops such as Paepke Fototechnik; the old cage is strictly required for this, so it is not an option for cameras bought without a battery), a professional Li-Ion conversion at a specialist service such as Wiese Fototechnik (cage also required), or, for the SLX, 6001, 6002, 6003 and 6006, a modern complete adapter such as our RFX6000 replacement battery based on 14500 Li-Ion cells.

We have developed a complete battery adapter v2 for the Rolleiflex 6000 series that combines the advantages of modern Li-Ion technology with the safety of professional conversions, at the price of a hobbyist solution. It is intended for the SLX, 6001, 6002, 6003 and 6006, not for the 6008 series; a version for the 6008 is in development. Three key features set it apart from the notorious DIY adapters that have destroyed mainboards in the community:

• Three Nitecore NL1411R 14500 cells, each charged individually via USB-C (1100 mAh, 3 A continuous discharge according to the datasheet), each with its own protection circuit: no dangerous series charging, no balancing needed, every cell monitors its own temperature and voltage. The peak voltage of 12.6 V is within the tolerance specified by Rollei itself (the official Rollei Power Interface 30 017 accepts 12 – 18 V DC).
• Model-specific fuse: all three correct fuses (0.8 A / 1.0 A / 1.25 A) are included as standard in a storage box, and the one matching your model is already installed. This rules out the most common cause of damage with the eBay adapters, which indiscriminately fitted a 1.25 A fuse that is too slow-acting in all models.
• Complete set and cage-only version: within Germany we ship the complete set including batteries and Y charging cable; internationally (USA, EU, worldwide) there is a cage-only version without lithium, for which you source the Nitecore cells locally. This separation avoids the high UN3481 lithium shipping surcharges.

Important note: the most common cause of failure in the 6000 series is not the battery, but a combination of ageing capacitors on the camera's circuit board and resinified grease in the motors and shutter. If the fuse blows repeatedly, a professional service (CLA) is in order. Details and workshop recommendations can be found in our background article on the Rolleiflex 6000 battery problem.