How do you know when its time to put in new batteries?

[dirtyJohn]

How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

I know it sounds like a stupid question but I'm curious as to what happens to a detector when the batteries start getting too low, so I'll know the signs and change them. On my whites, it uses 8 AAs like most of the whites and I've let them get down to the mid to low 10V's. Does your machine start getting Squirrelly or act normally but simply lose sensetivity and depth? Thanks for any replies

 

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[dirtyJohn]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

These machines have voltage regulators to drop the voltage to about 6 volts.
I'm not familiar with a QXT, but a DFX will show "LOW BAT" on the display when it drops to below 8 volts.

Thanks for your reply. It does have a voltage readout. I don't know if it shows "Low Bat" as I've never let them get below 10 volts. I guess I want to know if the detector loses capability as the voltage gets lower or can I use the batteries longer and save some money.
Thanks

 

[dirtyJohn]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

Thanks again, Does your detector work normally until it says "Low Batt" or does it start acting wierd before that point. I'm asking because I've noticed my depth indicator starts to become inaccurate when I get in the low 10 volt area. I found the book on my detector and it states what you said that the "Low Batt" indicator will come on at 8 volts but I wonder if I should change them before that point? Thank you for your time and I'm sorry if I'm being a pest.

 

[radarwill]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

Thanks again, Does your detector work normally until it says "Low Batt" or does it start acting wierd before that point. I'm asking because I've noticed my depth indicator starts to become inaccurate when I get in the low 10 volt area. I found the book on my detector and it states what you said that the "Low Batt" indicator will come on at 8 volts but I wonder if I should change them before that point? Thank you for your time and I'm sorry if I'm being a pest.

It sounds as if the "low bat" circuit checks to see if the voltage is below a certian level for a specified period of time before reporting a low battery. If your battery pack is normally 12V and it starts getting to 10V then it's almost dead.
Maybe the extra draw in current from the near dead battery drops the voltage just long enough that "wierd" glitches
are seen but the voltage drop dosen't last long enough to trip the "low Bat" alarm.
Just a wild guess.

 

[WV Hillbilly]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

I hope some more people jump in here . My detectors seem to work normally , then just quit when the batteries get to low .

 

[relichunters]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

My BH - Quicksilver, has a low battery that flashes on screen. It will then beep like once every 2 minutes to let me know.

 

[thompy]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

john i got about 25 hours on a set of batteries on my qxt's, i change them when it started to act funny, seems like once the warning came on it would die shortly after, trying to find my self another qxt, love that machine, how do you like the probe?

 

[longsocks]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

i use 8AA batteries in my gta 1000 i have a battery indicator when it gets to 1 icon i replace them, i buy batteries from Dollar General stores . 20AA alkaline for 4 something i get aprox 40 hrs out of my batteries . It only shut down once on me cause i forgot to replace them but that was back in 96 after i got it
HH socks

 

[dirtyJohn]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

john i got about 25 hours on a set of batteries on my qxt's, i change them when it started to act funny, seems like once the warning came on it would die shortly after, trying to find my self another qxt, love that machine, how do you like the probe?

Thanks for your reply. The probe's great. Money well spent. The QXT is a great machine but got a bad rap from people who I feel didn't take the time to understand it. 25 hours on a set of batteries on this machine sounds right from my experience even though whites says 40 hours.

 

[dirtyJohn]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

i use 8AA batteries in my gta 1000 i have a battery indicator when it gets to 1 icon i replace them, i buy batteries from Dollar General stores . 20AA alkaline for 4 something i get aprox 40 hrs out of my batteries . It only shut down once on me cause i forgot to replace them but that was back in 96 after i got it
HH socks

Thanks for your reply. I'm in Northeastern Illinois and I see you're in Southeastern Wis. If you ever want to get together for a hunt let me know.
Imagine a FIB and a Cheesehead hunting together, maybe world peace is possible......Naw. But we can still declare a ceasefire to go hunting if you want.

 

[Lasivian]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

I'm asking because I've noticed my depth indicator starts to become inaccurate when I get in the low 10 volt area.

I would take a spare set of batteries out that are pretty low (IE, that read 8 volts) and find a good solid signal with a new set of batteries, then replace them and see how that target looks with the nearly-dead batteries. Try this a few times and see what happens.

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

It seems to me that I'm finding targets right up till they die... I'll dig a good target, stand up, and the batts will be dead. (the battery dead thinggy indicates)

 

[NGE]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

My Explorer XS emits a squirrely tone letting me know when the batteries are 3/4 of the way dead. All I have to do is look at battery symbol on upper right of smart screen, when the darkened part is just a sliver at the bottom, then I should expect the squirrely sound soon.

 

[homefires]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

The voltage regulator needs a few volts above it's out put to operate. Until it shuts down, it should be putting out the required voltage. Just keep some spares with you and run it until it dies!

 

[RUDY2003]

Re: How do you know when it's time to put in new batteries?

I use a Whites M6 and when my batteries (rechargeables) get to 10V the M6 starts to get Squirrely too.

Keep safe...