Another rookie question- batteries

[roadkingclassic56]

I've noticed my detector works better with batteries that are fully charged of course. I have been using over the counter 9 volt batteries. They work well when first installed but after a couple of trips I begin to notice less than optimal performance and soon I get the weak battery indicator. My question is about rechargeable batteries. Do you use them? Do they last an entire outing or do you need a couple of sets of them? How many charges before replacement is necessary? Are they worth the investment? It would be really nice to start each trip with fully charged batteries.

[EBCIII]

I do not use rechargable batteries. I buy all my batteries at work. I get AA size for .19 per. So I do not worry to much.

The above being said i have read various pros and cons on rechargables and MD's. Some that like them some not? I dunno. Good luck finding out, Beale.

[drver]

RoadKing. The choice of rechargeable is easier answered with a question...How much are you gonna hunt? If your like allot of us, weekend hunters...around work hours or what ever it's kind of 50/55. I've tried both and chose Alkaline. If you hunt allot, everyday, it may be worth the cost to use rechargeable.


Rechargeable hold less voltage, some detectors won't even notice where others will not like it at all.
Are more costly to buy.
Need to be recharged often.
Have a finite number of charges they can take before degrading.
Fall off quickly when they loose charge.


Alkaline

need to have spares at all times, recommended with rechargeable too.
Need to be disposed of when dead..




All that said, and not really answering your question, the QUALITY of the batteries will make a bigger difference in the performance of your detector than the type will.


Beal .19 each??? Good deal!


Dave

[EPC Guy]

Originally Posted by EBCIII

I do not use rechargable batteries. I buy all my batteries at work. I get AA size for .19 per. So I do not worry to much.

The above being said i have read various pros and cons on rechargables and MD's. Some that like them some not? I dunno. Good luck finding out, Beale.

Beale - sounds like a good sideline business in the making...are these new batteries? If so and you have an unlimited supply, you could add a reasonable mark-up and sell to MD'ers everywhere...I'd certainly be a customer!

[EBCIII]

Yea AAA, and AA are .19 each to me. I can get C & D for like .25 or .30 and 9 Volts are like .35 I am not sure on the 9 I have yet to buy any.

These are all new batteries. All Energizer Industrials. The hospital goes through so many they keep a very big stock of them. As an employee I get them at a pretty good price.

If you want me to find the exact price of the other sizes I can do that easy. I buy them by the "big box" Examplw the AAA comes 24 per box.

The hospital gets them by the case load. I can find out also if they would sell cases.

Just let me know, Beale.

[roadkingclassic56]

If you purchase your batteries, how often do you change them out? Do you install a new set each time out or do you use them until they are totally dead? The temtation for me is to have a fresh set in the MD each time I go out. Lately I have been able to spend a couple of hours each day out detecting. Like I said at the start, when the batteries are not at there best I notice the difference in the performance of the machine.

[Capt.B]

Are you using headphones with your detector?
They will help the batteries last longer.

[EPC Guy]

Originally Posted by EBCIII

Yea AAA, and AA are .19 each to me. I can get C & D for like .25 or .30 and 9 Volts are like .35 I am not sure on the 9 I have yet to buy any.

These are all new batteries. All Energizer Industrials. The hospital goes through so many they keep a very big stock of them. As an employee I get them at a pretty good price.

If you want me to find the exact price of the other sizes I can do that easy. I buy them by the "big box" Examplw the AAA comes 24 per box.

The hospital gets them by the case load. I can find out also if they would sell cases.

Just let me know, Beale.

I'll surely get in touch with you for a box or two of "AA" batteries...I would also expect you to add a little something for your time and trouble (and shipping obviously)...it would still be a better deal than from Wally World!

[roadkingclassic56]

I have headphones but have not used them yet. I have been out 6 or 7 times and have been all by myself in the areas I have been working which has been a blessing by itself. That being the case I have not been worried about disturbing others with the noise. I will try the headphones to make the batteries last. I am most concerned about keeping the detector at it's optimum.

[Steve in PR]

I know that alkalines run at a fairly steady output until they reach the end of their life. Normally, because the drop-off in voltage is so pronounced, your detector will let you know when it is time to change them out.

My theory is that because reghargeable batteries voltage tapers off, I believe you lose depth and sensitivity as their charge fades.

I would rather run at max capacity than sacrifice 10-20% of my detector's capacity as my Ni-Cads trickled down. I am not sure if the newer Lithium or Nickel Hydrides would give you a better rechargeable. We have some additional info here that I will research and revise for discharge characteristics. I don't think I gave any hard data about it.

Battery Basics