Battery type RFX6000 — compatible cameras

RFX6000 is the short name for the proprietary battery pack of the Rolleiflex 6000 medium format series. Originally, it is a NiCd battery with a nominal voltage of 9.6 V in a characteristic six-pole cage — internally, however, only three pins are soldered (plus, minus, and a thermistor for charge monitoring). The original NiCd cells are today practically unusable due to age, and there is no commercial manufacturer for a 1:1 replacement anymore.

The RFX6000 cage is mechanically and electrically compatible with all cameras in the Rolleiflex 6000 system family: Rolleiflex SLX (original model, from 1976), Rolleiflex 6002, Rolleiflex 6006 (including model 2), Rolleiflex 6003 (SRC 1000 and Professional), Rolleiflex 6001 as well as the 6008 series (6008 Professional, 6008i, 6008i2, 6008 E, 6008 AF). Which fuse rating (0.8 A, 1.0 A, or 1.25 A) must be 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, 6003 SRC 1000, and 6008 Professional; 1.25 A for 6001 Professional, 6003 Professional, 6008i, 6008 E, 6008i2, and 6008 AF. The complete compatibility list with search function can be found at the top of this page.

The original NiCd battery packs are almost always defective after 30 to 40 years of use. NiCd cells suffer from memory effect, self-discharge, and chemical aging of the electrodes — reactivation is usually not worthwhile. Original NiCd packs are no longer produced; the EU Battery Directive 2006/66/EC has also significantly restricted portable NiCd batteries for the consumer market. If you operate a Rolleiflex 6000 today, you basically have three options: have an old cage converted to NiMH cells (for example at specialized Rollei service workshops like Paepke Fototechnik — the old cage is absolutely necessary for this, so this is not an option for cameras bought without a battery), a professional Li-Ion conversion at a specialist service like Wiese Fototechnik (also requires a cage), or a modern complete adapter like 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. Three key features distinguish it from the notorious DIY adapters that have destroyed mainboards in the community:

• Three Nitecore NL1411R 14500 cells charged individually via USB-C (1100 mAh, 3 A continuous discharge according to datasheet) each with its own protection circuit — no dangerous series charging, no balancing needed, each cell monitors temperature and voltage itself. Peak voltage 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) come standard in a storage box, with the one matching your model already installed. This excludes the most common damage case of eBay adapters, which generally installed an overly slow 1.25 A fuse in all models.
• Complete set and cage-only variant — within Germany we deliver the complete set including batteries and Y-charging cable; internationally (USA, EU, worldwide) there is a cage-only variant without lithium, for which the Nitecore cells are sourced 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 aging capacitors on the camera board and hardened grease in motors and shutter. If the fuse blows repeatedly, professional service (CLA) is recommended — details and workshop recommendations are in our background article on the Rolleiflex 6000 battery problem.