1.5 volt batteries, when are they shot?

[bigscoop]

New 1.5 volt batteries read about 1.52 to 1.61 on a volt meter. At what point/reading should these batteries be replaced in order to maintain top performance?

 

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[sniffer]

when your MD tells you the battery is low, it's telling you it doesn't have enough power to run efficiently. then it's time to change them.
with detectors on your profile you should be able to get around 20 hours of detecting

 

[OBN]

This is the Excalibur from several years ago, just had my CZ 20 batteries go dead on me in the middle of a hunt......erratic operation before then a fading,......... gold ring was the last midtone I heard..then you realize just by scooping everything around the last signal it's just a waste of time

 

[bigscoop]

when your MD tells you the battery is low, it's telling you it doesn't have enough power to run efficiently. then it's time to change them.
with detectors on your profile you should be able to get around 20 hours of detecting

That's exactly why I'm asking. On the Excal I started noticing that after about 8hrs of steady hunting I had to start increasing the threshold, also started noticing a little bit of instability at the same time. Each time this happened all the batteries (energizers) were at 1.48 volts. So I was really wondering at what point does the detector start losing maximum performance? Is it once the batteries fall below 1.5 volts? I suspect this is the case but for sure.

 

[bigscoop]

This is the Excalibur from several years ago, just had my CZ 20 batteries go dead on me in the middle of a hunt......erratic operation before then a fading,......... gold ring was the last midtone I heard..then you realize just by scooping everything around the last signal it's just a waste of time


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Siob6rZfc

The more I use the Excal the more familiar I'm getting with it. I can tell when the batteries are getting ready to fail, however, I'm starting to notice a difference in performance long before that, say after about 8hrs of hunting. I can keep hunting for another 5 or 6 hours but I'm just curious if the machine is still finctioning at maximum performance once the batteries begin to weaken?

 

[sniffer]

maybe there is too much draw for extended hunting. you could try switching the batteries at 8 hours, let them cool off for an hour or so and then try them again

 

[Swartzie]

On the Excal I started noticing that after about 8hrs of steady hunting I had to start increasing the threshold, also started noticing a little bit of instability at the same time.

I have noticed that I have to increase the threshold on my Tejon when it gets warmer outside. Sounds strange I know, but that's what I have to do. Even if I move from shade to sun I will have to adjust the threshold after awhile. The Tejon is a sensitive beast.

-Swartzie

 

[Frankn]

It's going to really vary among brands and models. I can get about 3 or 4 8hr days with no problem out of my surfmaster PI or spectrum, then I jest change them. The voltage is not the only consideration. The resistance of all the connections is a big factor. One day when I was low on batts, I opened the batt compartment and rolled the batts in place. Boy did that improve things. Usually I just test the signal pickup with my scoop or digging tool for distance. I am looking for at least 2' pickup. Frank

 

[N2CU]

To get an accurate idea of the battery's condition, the voltage should be measured under load. This could be while installed in your detector, with it turned on. When measuring batteries open circuit, they often read a higher voltage. Then you put them in the device and things don't work correctly.

 

[George (MN)]

I think it could vary with detector. Probably good down to somewhere in the 1 volt to 1.2 volt range. You could try planting a coin, switch to batteries of different strengths & see if you notice a difference. NiMH batteries are 1.2 volts uncharged, but can be charged up to 1.45 volts, & will spend most of useful life at 1.3 to 1.4 volts.

In some functions, like maybe flashlights & computer mice, the AAs seem to work OK down to 0.75 volts.

Also if you want to save money on batteries Ray-O-Vac batteries are made in USA & they say on package "lasts as long as Energizers". I get the Ray-O-Vacs in 48 packs at Menard's. Even when not on sale, they are under 30 cents each. They show good til year, maybe 7-8 year shelf life. Best wishes, George (MN)

 

[betomax]

To get an accurate idea of the battery's condition, the voltage should be measured under load. This could be while installed in your detector, with it turned on. When measuring batteries open circuit, they often read a higher voltage. Then you put them in the device and things don't work correctly.

i agree!
because that measure is for voltage only, but batt provide current to and the only way to test them is in a working circuit for both, V and I, another good indicator is when batteries drop its voltage faster that when you buy it, so more frequent charge cycles means batteries getting older.

 

[10claw]

when the batteries act up in my camera or gps, i usually switch places with them and that will hold for a while longer. never tried that in my sov.xs, i get warning signals from the detertors speaker or phones and i can usually go anothe 30 minutes before they go dead.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

As mentioned - voltage is a poor measure. I fly R/C with NiMH (1.2v) batteries. 1.3v is fully charged, 1.2v is nominal and 1.1 volts is dangerously low. You need to measure them under load.

 

[liftloop]

cool, good post.