What batteries do you use?

[billjr]

I bought a wireless unt last year, and have always used Energizer AAs to power it. I had been getting about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks out of each pair, depending on how much practicing I did. On June 26, we had a gig, and I replaced my batteries the day before. Because I only had one pack, I used two Energizer "Lithium" batteries that I normally use in my camera. To this day I still have three bars that show the unit at full strength. Just how long are these suckers going to last? The last two weeks, I only have about 14-16 hours of playing, but before that, I was playing 4-5 nights a week for several hours a night. Man, these batteries are really hanging in there. They cost about twice what regular AAs cost, but if I get so much more time with them, they are worth it.

Anyone else have this type of experience with litium batteries?

[Pilgrim]

Lithium and alkalines behave differently. How that affects the device they power depends on how the device behaves as voltage drops off.

Rechargeables are another topic, and they have some very specific behaviors in terms of voltage drop that can fool devices into thinking they have been discharged.

In general, it's a good idea to use batteries which were designed for the application. if the device was made for alkalines, use alkalines. Remember that lithium batteries last longer, but contain toxic metal and should not be discarded in the trash as alkalines can, but should be treated as hazardous waste. They also cost a LOT more.

A quick web search reveals sites with information...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...batteries.html

http://michaelbluejay.com/batteries/

http://gear-reviews.net/Articles.php...tent1237136522

Having said all that, in a wireless they should last longer and provide good service - it's up to you if you want to pay the difference. Sounds like for your use it will pay off.

[CamMcIntyre]

For 9vs (my active basses, pedals, etc)-I use Energizers, typically the E squared ones if I can find them.

For AAs-I've started using Radio Shack & Kodak branded rechargeable batteries. The same set is used in my field recorder (Edirol R09HR), digital camera, and mini camcorder. I get a lot more life per charge out of the rechargeables than I do a standard set of alkalines. This has made the higher upfront cost well worth it. I was going through 2 Duracell AA batteries per about 3hrs of use int he Edirol and per 55minutes of use for the mini camcorder.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

As stated above, different batteries for diff. applications. Depends on the power consumption of the device. Remote controls work great with rechargeables, however I find that using a digital camera does not if I use video or flash. Cd player works great with rechargeables, as it does with alkalines.

Paintball motorized hopper... alkalines all the way.

Rechargeables come in a variety of forms, but I'd recommend avoiding the Nickel-Cadmium ones (prime example would be the old 1980's-'90's radio shack rechargeables). They tend to suffer from the "memory" effect and will eventually lose capacity if you don't completely drain them before recharging.

As for alkalines, yes... there are fancy ones like the energizer e2 titanium ones. However if you just use normal alkalines you might want to look at panasonic alkaline plus. They're cheap and tend to last a tiny bit longer than energizer or duracell depending on manufacture date... with all batteries, fresher is better.

Rechargeables suffer from charge loss if they sit long enough. A recharger that provides a trickle charge after it completes the charge cycle will offset the charge loss, in turn keeping the batteries ready for use. However this also means that you have to keep the batteries in the charger until you're ready to use them. I'm personally not a fan of the energizer rechargeables due to the charge loss. I went to a convention, and charged the energizers over the course of that week (about 4 pairs), and when I got there, I had to use alkalines because they were all dead (this shouldn't be typical behavior but it is really annoying).

Lithium batteries are good if you have something that provides a consistent drain over a long period of time, that's where they excel the most. However they are also good for high drain devices, such as equipment with motors, or a digital camera using a flash.

[Pilgrim]

Short version is that Consumer Reports did a big test of alkalines a year ago and they are ALL essentially the same. None last longer than others. Just buy the cheapest and go forth.

I'd rather use alkalines because they are inexpensive, cheap and not toxic waste.

[PJSShearer]

When we had our bathroom redone a couple of years ago I bought a smart looking DAB radio to replace the old tinny sounding "shower radio". It used four AA batteries that lasted several months. However, the DAB used 6 x C cells and when I got it home I found that the batteries lasted literally a few hours at GBP 9.00 a time!!. I immedialtely bought two sets of rechargeables and a set will last around a week (at a couple of hours use per day).

[BassChuck]

Does anyone make a 9v Lithium battery? I got one, but it was made for smoke alarms and did not fit in my bass? I'd love not to have to change batteries so often.

And does it seem like there are fewer and fewer 9v on the market?