Batterys ?

[Gary1963]

I'm new to the hobbie and enjoy the forum. I want to put this out there, have you found a certain brand of battery that works best for you, and how about rechargeables? Thanks

 

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[Jason in Enid]

Only rechargeables. Regular batts would cost me a fortune every year. Either get a rechargable pack is one is available for your machine or get a set of Eneloop rechargables.

 

[speter42]

As I understand it,the "rechareable" batteries only charge up to 1.2v each, for a total of 9.6v.
So, if your machine needs 8 AA batteries (1.5v X 8=12volts) your machine will be running on 9.6v verses 12volts
It will work,...but not that long!

 

[Wyomingmedic]

I would focus more on battery chemistry than anything else.

I would want something that has a very sharp discharge curve, doesn't weigh a ton, and is somewhat protected from over/under charging.

Lithium is the way to go in current battery technology. It has an extremely limited memory problem, lightest weight-capacity ratio, and very tolerant to charging inconsistencies.

If your detector takes AA or AAA, you can get some very high capacity rechargeable batteries from Wal-mart. Something like 2200Mah which is phenomenal.

I certainly recommend a re-usable battery though. The Alkaline are just too expensive.

WM

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

USA = Alkalines last . Today i got CR123=3v batterys li ions with a charger for my streemlight / ordered it from battery junction .

 

[Jason in Enid]

As I understand it,the "rechareable" batteries only charge up to 1.2v each, for a total of 9.6v.
So, if your machine needs 8 AA batteries (1.5v X 8=12volts) your machine will be running on 9.6v verses 12volts
It will work,...but not that long!

It's not about max voltage, it's how long you can maintain a usable voltage. While alkalines may give you 12 v and last 3 days (example) the rechargables can give you 9.6 STARTING voltage but you could get 2 - 2.5 days from them (comparative example). if you put them on the charger before each hunt, you'll never run out and the batteries will last years before they need to be replaced. Now compare that slightly longer lasting time on the alkalines which have to be replaced every 3 days.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Alkalines

 

[scurvy_seadog]

I never buy batteries. My Wife gets them for free. after every surgery they toss out the ones they used with the tools and put in a fresh set. In everything So we stock up on AAA and AA and 9v's other wise they just may get used for ten min or so or not at all and dumped. it is a liability issue so the next patient has brand new batteries. even if the ones before were never used. So I have not bought any batteries for the last seven years.

 

[Gary1963]

Thanks for all the info.

 

[dimedigger]

walgreens alkaline. they are always running buy one pack get one free

 

[GrizLeeBear]

I use 8 Duracell NIMH Rechargeables and I get about 15 to 20 hours of operation per charge. They are 2000 mAh. I've had them two years and they are still going fine. I have two sets, so I can change them in the field. While normal batteries maintain a steady voltage to the end and then just die, rechargeables slowly fade. My MD has a battery charge gauge. It has five bars. I always recharge when the indicator shows two bars left. I sometimes recharge at three bars. I have noticed that sometimes with three bars left on the indicator my MD will opperate poorly. I would prefer Lithium batteries, but cannot afford them.

 

[Frankn]

My XLT shows the exact battery voltage at startup, so I go by that. My rechargeable pack has died so I am presently using Duracells. I buy them in bulk packs at BJ's. I will probably rebuild the rechargeable pack with lithium batts. Frank