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Battery Power Consumption Question

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Sounbwoy, Nov 18, 2005.

  1. Nov 18, 2005 #1
    Sounbwoy

    Sounbwoy Supporting Member

    Aug 29, 2005
    Clayton, NC
    Hello all. This may sound dumb, but I'm curious. I own a Hohner BBassV, It uses passive EMG Selects pickups with an active preamp. The preamp has an output pot on it.
    My question is:When playing in active mode, is more battery power consumed if the pot is turned all the way up, or is power consumption always going to be the same regardless of how the pot is adjusted?
    I play with both volume controls wide open. The pot is not fully wide open, but close to it. Was interested as the bass crapped out on me during a practice one day and I had changed the battery earlier this year. The previous battery lasted a lot longer than that. As long as nothing is plugged in, the preamp will not work.
    This bass is not as loud or full bodied as my Series 10 P-Bass Replica where I had the factory pickup replaced with a Fender "Original '62 p- bass pickup".
     
  2. Nov 21, 2005 #2
    luknfur

    luknfur

    Jan 14, 2004
    DIXIE
     
  3. Nov 22, 2005 #3
    Sounbwoy

    Sounbwoy Supporting Member

    Aug 29, 2005
    Clayton, NC
    Thanks for trying to answer my question. I'm not sure how much clearer I can make it. The bass has two volume controls (one for each pickup). Additionally, the preamp has an output pot (a master volume, if you will). So, what I'm asking is, would battery power consumption be HIGHER if the MASTER is wide open, or not?
    Thanks again for your response.
     
  4. Nov 22, 2005 #4
    DavidRavenMoon

    DavidRavenMoon Inactive

    Oct 20, 2004
    Power consumption will be more or less the same, depending on how they have this control wired. If it's actually a gain control, then you might use slightly more current with it boosted... but I doubt it would be noticeable. If it's a volume control wired after the circuit than it wouldn't make any difference. I wouldn't worry about it either way.

    I use a bass with three active EMG pickups, a BTC preamp, and I run it on 18V. I'd imagine the batteries would last 6 months with daily playing, but as a rule of thumb I change them every other month (or every other string change...).

    So if you like, change your battery when you change your strings! And use quality batteries.
     
  5. Nov 23, 2005 #5
    Sounbwoy

    Sounbwoy Supporting Member

    Aug 29, 2005
    Clayton, NC
    Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the info.