[sarora9]

I was wondering if Ack! Industries, the maker of Dack! Dac is still around?

Their website no longer allows new orders, and an email sent last week got no response. (I am trying to get replacement batteries.)

Thanks for any info.

[miklorsmith]

Chris Own is the guy, he lives in Seattle (or did).  Last known address (from the website):

922 N. 93rd St.
Seattle, WA 98103

service@ack-industries.com

A few years back he stopped by my house to let me demo a dAck! 2.0 which I ended up buying.  He has a PhD. in molecular physics or some crazy thing.  He told me he developed the dAck! as a way to work through his doctorate program which was already completed when I met him.  I believe he told me that his battery pack is not simply an off-the-shelf unit like most of the guys are using.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's quit developing and has moved on with life.

However, I also bet he'd help you get your unit working again.  He used to make the battery packs himself at his house.  I think he's a stand-up guy and would build you a pack if you can find him.  I also bet that you could carefully disassemble the battery pack you have and reverse-engineer it.  There are a couple of SLA batteries in there and, what, a couple of caps probably?  I doubt there's any magic ether that simply can't be replaced.

Good luck!

[IronLion]

Chris Own is the guy, he lives in Seattle (or did).  Last known address (from the website):

922 N. 93rd St.
Seattle, WA 98103

service@ack-industries.com

A few years back he stopped by my house to let me demo a dAck! 2.0 which I ended up buying.  He has a PhD. in molecular physics or some crazy thing.  He told me he developed the dAck! as a way to work through his doctorate program which was already completed when I met him.  I believe he told me that his battery pack is not simply an off-the-shelf unit like most of the guys are using.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's quit developing and has moved on with life.


I've disassembled one of mine that died, as far as I could tell there's not even caps, just two SLA batteries wired to a four-wire connector taped to a piece of foamboard.  If you know how to solder you could just acquire the same SLA batteries and fashion it yourself I would think. 
However, I also bet he'd help you get your unit working again.  He used to make the battery packs himself at his house.  I think he's a stand-up guy and would build you a pack if you can find him.  I also bet that you could carefully disassemble the battery pack you have and reverse-engineer it.  There are a couple of SLA batteries in there and, what, a couple of caps probably?  I doubt there's any magic ether that simply can't be replaced.

Good luck!

[Vinnie R.]

If my memory serves me correctly, there are two 12V, 1.3Ah SLA batteries (Power-Sonic or Yuasa) taped together to everything fits neatly inside.  There is also a 4-pin connector you need to wire it to (which snaps into the mating connector that goes to the power switch).

I also remember there being a PTC thermistor in series with each positive (+) terminal of the battery.  This was used to block current from the battery in the case of a short circuit (for safety).

I think that is all there is to it...

[sarora9]

Thanks for your replies. Chris Own also noticed my email and contacted me.

[arthurs]

and?  Is he still in business?