How long does rechargeable batteries last per hunt?

[Newfiehunter]

For those of you who use rechargeable batteries, how long does rechargeable batteries last on a hunt? I've used them many many years ago and discovered they only lasted about an hour or so and they quickly lost their charge to power my unit. I use 9 volts. If it is cheaper in the long run and if the rechargeable batteries now have longer life, I would consider getting them. Regular alkaline batteries are so expensive now, so it getting to be an expensive hobby as my detector only gets about 20 hours of life out of them. If the rechargeable batteries can last for 6 or 7 hours on a hunt, I'd consider the investment. However, if they only have a couple of hours per hunt, I'd stick with alkaline batteries. Any opinions. Thanks

 

[dustytrails123]

I dont know how you are with electronics but if you converted it to run on the 18650 lithium they would last much longer.....except in my 400 lumen flash light they go about 90 mins max on a 18650 battery it does suck alot of juice and its nice and bright

 

[Frankn]

Thats like asking, how many miles can you get from a gallon. It depends on the brand of batt and the detector. I use the coppertops. They last for days in my XLT. I buy them in packs of 24, or 36 from BJ's. They will last for well over a year shelf life. When the Li, or Lp recharageables come out, I will try them.

 

[Newfiehunter]

The reason why I am asking this is because the price of regular alkaline batteries have increased big time. Rechargeable batteries are not cheap either when you make the initial purchase. I checked out a store today and the Energizer rechargeable 9 volt was $17.99!! That was for one and the charger was $25. Maybe I could get it cheaper elsewhere, perhaps online.

But what I am asking is how long on average does your rechargeable batteries last on a hunt?...If they last for 7 or 8 hours then I would consider buying them, but if they only last a couple of hours during one hunt, it would not be worth the money since I'd still have to purchase alkaline batteries when the rechargeable batteries died...So it is a legitimate question...

 

[Produce Guy]

I get about about 20 hours + with rechargeable AA batts and another thing when I travel I use a solar recharger to charge my rechargeables.

 

[Graddick]

I am continually amazed that any portable electronics, including today's metal detectors, still use 9V and AA batteries. What is this? The 1980s?

 

[Frankn]

Graddick, The 9V & AA are just case sizes used for standardization. The chemistry has been constantly evolving. There are AA Li cells on the market, They last much longer , but they are pricy. When a good rechargeable Li or Lp cell comes on the market at a reasonable price, it will still be a AA cell or a 9V battery.

 

[Coinstriking Michigan]

I have rechargeable C batteries for my Eagle Spectrum and at most I get 5-6 hours on a full charge.

 

[U.K. Brian]

The least rechargable life I get is from pulse machines. Some provide five hours, others six, TDI seven +. All depends on the number of targets your passing over and this is with headphones being used.

VLF detectors give much longer life from smaller battery packs and its possible to get 20 hours plus from many detectors.

 

[fistfulladirt]

The NiMH 9.6V pack in my Explorer is probably 10 years old, and still gives an 8-hr hunt. I bought a second for about $80+ for the longer hunts. Should be good for 8-10 hours. I may put in 400-500 hours a year, so well worth it.

 

[Gregmid40]

I am continually amazed that any portable electronics, including today's metal detectors, still use 9V and AA batteries. What is this? The 1980s?

Tell me about it. The battery life expectancy of metal detectors nowadays really sucks. I have just a modest Bounty Hunter Tracker IV and that thing only gets 20 hours on two 9-volts. Then I have a Bounty Hunter Time Ranger and that one gets no better. Man, this hobby is expensive. Then when my detector craps out while I'm hunting, my (novice) friend calls me down saying, 'See I told you so, you didn't listen to me when I told you to get batteries while we were back in town'. So we end up going and getting a ($20.00) 12-pack of Duracells at Battery Plus. Ridiculous. Then we go and only pick up roughly 1.50 in clad coins between us. So irritating. I quit the hobby years ago and this may have been one of the reasons. Don't remember. It's been too long ago. If one has good access to lots of house yards and to quality silver and/or lots and (lots) of clad, then, it would seem to be a lot more rewarding, financially. But don't go to a couple of generic, everyday ballparks and regular parks and expect to find heaps and heaps of coins and/or rings. On your first couple of visits, you should be able to score big but not on subsequent returns until the concentration of collect back up to previous levels.

 

[Uncle Jeff]

What you really want is a High mAh ((mili amp) the higher the rating the more charge they hold) rating on your rechargeable batteries. Watch out for low 800 mAh AA rechargeables and look for 2500 mAh rating rarely is this rating listed on the package itself and you will have to look through the plastic and read the actual batteries to find this rating I use 2450 mAh rated batteries on all my devices and they out last duracell and energizer Funny part is the lower mAh rated are the same cost as the higher mAh rated ones

So yes they will save you tons of money

 

[jaysismyson]

The reason why I am asking this is because the price of regular alkaline batteries have increased big time. Rechargeable batteries are not cheap either when you make the initial purchase. I checked out a store FIFA 13 Coins today and the Energizer rechargeable 9 volt was $17.99!! That was for one and the charger was $25. Maybe I could get it cheaper elsewhere, perhaps online.

 

[jeff of pa]

The reason why I am asking this is because the price of regular alkaline batteries have increased big time. Rechargeable batteries are not cheap either when you make the initial purchase. I checked out a store FIFA 13 Coins today and the Energizer rechargeable 9 volt was $17.99!! That was for one and the charger was $25. Maybe I could get it cheaper elsewhere, perhaps online.

WOW that is Outrageous there has to be cheaper.

although I Never heard of them till now, Google: Energizer rechargeable 9 volt at soap.

this looks about Half price

http://www.soap.com/subcat=Batterie...rm=energizer 9v rechargeable&noappbanner=true

 

[TNGUNS]

Todays rechargeable batteries are much better than they used to be. They are rated "mAh" if I am not mistaken. They literally have different capacities and it DOES matter. Some AA's will last much longer than others. The higher rated ones are a little more expensive. Either way they are way cheaper in the long run.

 

[Ima Swinger]

I've gotten 30+ hours on plain old Rayovac AA's in my Ace 250, but I have some Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA's that I'm trying next (after I check the manual).
Read some good reviews online about them. They have a great shelf life too. The package I have was bought last year and the expiration date is 2026.