What battery type to use?

[Jack D]

I'm about to buy new batteries for my detector. It takes 3-9v batteries. The manual says to use alkalines.

In my digital camera, which also says to use alkaline cells (4-AA cells) I get only ~16 pictures on a set of alkalines. I started using ni-hydride rechargeables and I get ~45 pictures on a charge. Then I switched to lithium cells and get a whopping ~450 pictures on a set. The lithiums are not the rechargeable type and run about double the cost of a set of alkalines. A bargain in my camera.

9v lithiums are about $10 each....that's $30 in my detector. Will I get similar performance, in my detector, to those I use in the camera?

Alkalines are 1.5v/cell (9v in a 9v-6 cell battery), Ni-hydrides are 1.2v/cell (7.2v in a 9v-6 cell battery) and lithiums are 2v/cell. How many cells in a 9v configuration???? If it's the same (6) as in others, that makes a 9v lithium battery actually 12v. But if they use 5 cells it will be 10v. If it's actually 12v, will the higher voltage harm the detector?

Are rechargeable lithium-ions available in 9v battery? How long will they last in comparison to others in any given detector?

I tried the search function, but couldn't find any information that answers this question.

Thanks, in advance for any insight.

[IronClad]

Not sure what Type/Brand detector your using but most units get at least 10 - 20 hrs. battery life. I would think 3 - 9v would net you that.
Using headphones will extend battery life. If your unit allows alkalines, as mentioned in the manual, then use them, their better in the long run.
Rechargable batteries are nice, and I used them yrs. ago but no longer do. Most people find enough clad coins to purchase batteries before the ones in their detector die.


I've read some good reviews about the Panasonic Oxyride batteries. Guess their hard to find, but peeps are saying they last a loooooog time.

[The TINMAN]

Jack, I just use Good name brand like Duracell or Eveready & such. I get very good hrs. out of them and like Ironclad said, headphones will make them last longer. The Panasonic Oxyrides only come in AA for now. When the AA I have for my water detector go bad I'm gonna try the Oxyrides. Johns Detectors carries them. Hopefully they will come out with 9v Oxy's.


Good Luck & HH.
The TINMAN

[EPC Guy]

Originally Posted by IronClad

Not sure what Type/Brand detector your using but most units get at least 10 - 20 hrs. battery life. I would think 3 - 9v would net you that.
Using headphones will extend battery life. If your unit allows alkalines, as mentioned in the manual, then use them, their better in the long run.
Rechargable batteries are nice, and I used them yrs. ago but no longer do. Most people find enough clad coins to purchase batteries before the ones in their detector die.


I've read some good reviews about the Panasonic Oxyride batteries. Guess their hard to find, but peeps are saying they last a loooooog time.

Ditto...9v's should provide plenty of hunt time...like Ironclad said, I'm typically getting 12- 20 hours from a set...

[Jack D]

I will go with the standard alkalines for now, at least until I fiind out if this thing is going to work. I have never heard of Oxyride cells until now, but did a Google search and found this Panasonic Oxyride

You're right, they are not available in 9v......

I did find the 9v lithium....and they say they are 9v (and not 12v).....for about $6.00 ea. at various places on the internet. The specs for the 9v lithium are 1200 mah capacity.....that's about 5 times the capacity of the 9v alkaline at 250 mah.....so all else being equal, they should last almost 5x longer than the alkaline in the same device. If they are about double the price of alkaline, and give 5x the service, then the lithium is the better choice. AND lithium has a 10 year shelf life.....they'll be there when you need them. I guess I've answered some of my own questions by doing a little research.

Rechargeables (NiMH) do not hold a charge long, even sitting idle. I don't know how many times I've reached into my camera bag for a fresh set of batteries and found them dead or weak.........I'll never buy anything but lithiums for my camera unless, of course, something better comes along. The cost savings is very substantial in the, not so very, long run.

Battery comparisons in my digital camera (4-AA's)

Alkaline= ~16 pictures
NiMH rechargeables = ~45 pictures...if fully charged
Lithium= ~400 + pictures (this is taking 400+ pictures over a period of 7 days. If a camera sits idle it is still using battery power for the memory functions, so over a longer time frame, fewer pictures will result. But the same is true of any battery in a device with a memory).

[Steve in PR]

I think you did answer your own question. I just would add that I don't think it is a good idea to run your electronics at a higher voltage than specified. I believe they might overheat.

[The TINMAN]

I'm not sure about Lithium batteries but when they first came out with the oxyrides, In the field test they used Whites detectors, a DFX I believe but whatever it was I do remember them saying to Check first If the detector your going to use them in could handle them. Better safe than Sorry.
Good Point Steve.

The TINMAN

[Jack D]

Some things to consider are the voltage difference. A single alkaline cell (AA, C, or D) = 1.5V. A single lithium cell (AA, C, D) = 2v. So if your detector uses 6 AA cells that is 9V in alkaline and 12V in lithium. That extra voltage in most electronics is not a problem. My camera, for instance uses 4 AA cells (6V in alkaline and 8V in lithium). In my camera the extra voltage actually improves performance. It focuses faster and recovers between shots faster.

The extra voltage in a detector would not likely damage any components. Electronic components are made to operate in a range of voltages and a few volts higher is not going to harm. However, it may change the way a circuit operates.....your tune and ground balance, may not adjust properly.....this is what I don't know. I would also say to contact your manufacturer before using lithium.

In my case the detector uses 9V batteries and the lithium 9V batteries are 9V....no problems.

[MinelabMan]

As Steve said you answered your question.

The only thing that I can add is that try buying batteries a club type store (BJ's, Costco, Sams, etc.). I'm a member of BJ's and don't really know what the other offer, but would imagine about the same.

BJ's sells Duracell's in bulk and I can't remember the price, but know it's much less than I can buy them anywhere else. The dates at BJ's are well into the future and I never had a problem.

[johnj45586]

My previous MD used 2 9v batteries. I got 40+ hours with Duracell CopperTop batteries. I was amazed at the long life. One hint I picked up from the MD manufacturer, when you have multiple 9v batteries, rotate them at each outing. There may be a different power draw on each of the batteries. I watch for sales of batteries to keep the cost down.
I am a retired electronic engineer and would advise using the batteries recommended by the manufacturer. You have noted the volts per cell differences but just as important in MD circuits is internal resistance (of the battery). Absolute sensitivity of the MD could be affected by wrong internal resistance of the battery.