Etrac battery?

[Tired Rooster]

Hey guys...I just received my new Etrac a few days ago and haven't had the time off work to take it out yet. I am wanting to go ahead and get another battery for it though. Some questions..One. I have read on other past posts about how awesome the RNB lithium ion battery is. But, the Etrac owners manual says NOT to use lithium ion batteries. It can void your warranty. What gives? Two..am I right in assuming that if I were to purchase a Minelab battery, the 1800 would give a longer operation time over the 1600? And lastly....approximately (and I know it is an approximation) what kind of operation time can I expect out of the Minelab battery on the Etrac? Any input would be greatly appreciated........Thanks.

 

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[cudamark]

I'm getting 12-14 hours out of the factory rechargeable. I just use the alkaline pack for a backup. I wouldn't use anything that would void the warranty.

 

[Fletch88]

Same here Cudamark. The stock battery last me 2-3 hunts easily. I just keep alkaline backup in my Pro-Tector on the machine if I'm walking far away from my vehicle.

 

[Mach1Pilot]

You can can plan an all day hunt with the stock battery without hesitation. It will usually go deep into a second long hunt before needing a charge. Multiple short hunts are no problem. A few years back I bought a used spare... Both it and the 4 years old original are going strong. They generally last a long time.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Hey guys...I just received my new Etrac a few days ago and haven't had the time off work to take it out yet. I am wanting to go ahead and get another battery for it though. Some questions..One. I have read on other past posts about how awesome the RNB lithium ion battery is. But, the Etrac owners manual says NOT to use lithium ion batteries. It can void your warranty. What gives? Two..am I right in assuming that if I were to purchase a Minelab battery, the 1800 would give a longer operation time over the 1600? And lastly....approximately (and I know it is an approximation) what kind of operation time can I expect out of the Minelab battery on the Etrac? Any input would be greatly appreciated........Thanks.

Yes the 1800 gives you about 20% more detecting time.

I can tell you the RNB battery is as good or better than advertised on it performance.

 

[cudamark]

Bart, does it void the warranty as the OP mentioned?

 

[Tired Rooster]

Guys, I really appreciate all the feedback. I think based on what I've read and my own "gut" feeling, I'm gonna just stick with the Minelab batteries. No doubt the RNB is all that many say that it is.......I just can't afford to risk any warranty issues should a problem arise.....thanks fellas.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

RNB has sold quite a few of these so far, and I haven't heard of any problems with them. We sell them, and haven't had any issues. I used one when I had my E-trac, and I was amazed at the battery time over the stock battery.

Wayne

Metal Detector Sales and Rentals | Fisher, Garrett, Minelab, Lesche and DetectorPro

 

[PlayingInTheDirt]

I know I am going to buy me one of the RNB batterys as soon as I scrap enough change out of the ground for one, I am getting close

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Bart, does it void the warranty as the OP mentioned?

I nor any other dealer can answer that honestly. You would have to get that answer directly from Minelab. I can tell you my E-Trac is far out of warranty and it works perfect in mine for many many hours!

 

[Rockin Chairs Gold]

I bought a RNB for my E-Trac (it is 4 years old) this past spring. I was impressed by two things about the battery. First off right out of the box it took two hours or less to get a full charge. Second, I average two or three hours per hunt, and hunt on a average three times a week. This battery lasted all summer and part of the fall before it needed another charge. My rechargeable that came with the machine needed a recharge at least every second or third use. I don't even worry about a back up anymore. The battery has given my machine absolutely not problems what so ever. Yes it was expensive, but well worth it.

 

[cudamark]

When you're convinced you don't need a spare, that's when you will need one! Nothing worse than going to a choice site and finding you have a bad piece of equipment. I have spare everything except the things I need the most.....you know.....legs, back, fingers, etc!

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

When you're convinced you don't need a spare, that's when you will need one! Nothing worse than going to a choice site and finding you have a bad piece of equipment. I have spare everything except the things I need the most.....you know.....legs, back, fingers, etc!

I always take the spare battery holder full of AA's. Its a LONG drive home! lol

 

[Rockin Chairs Gold]

YES and I keep a spare battery pack loaded with double A's in my back pack. But for the first time since I've owned my E-Trac I never had a need for it, and when the battery finally needed recharged it took less then two hours to bring it back to peek. I simply got tired of constantly buying Double A's. As far as I'm concerned it was a great purchase.