Does anybody still use batteries?

[jruberto]

I think if you are smart you can limit the impact that batteries have on the environment. I think that there are proper disposal techniques that differ from just tossing a dead battery in the trash.

Actually I spent a while looking the other night figuring that the battery manufacturers would have some good advice for those who hope to do something better than throw away dead batteries. the site said "these batteries do not contain [lead? mercury? i don't remember] and therefore are suitable to be put in with your household trash."

thanks guys, way to care.

okay...
from duracell site:
Alkaline batteries can be safely disposed of with normal household waste.

Lithium, Lithium Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride & Zinc Air Batteries
These batteries may be safely disposed of in normal household waste. Contact your local government for disposal or recycling practices in your area.

 

[Mudfuzz]

I use batteries in a couple: Sovtek Bigmuff and Devi Ever Disaster Fuzz, with the Disaster fuzz it makes a BIG difference on the sound! With a battery when it is in "normal" you don't get the crumply sound that you get with a power supply, any power supply.

 

[Amitio]

I only use batteries for my big muff as the battery clip i bought didnt work

 

[warwick.hoy]

Actually I spent a while looking the other night figuring that the battery manufacturers would have some good advice for those who hope to do something better than throw away dead batteries. the site said "these batteries do not contain [lead? mercury? i don't remember] and therefore are suitable to be put in with your household trash."

thanks guys, way to care.

okay...
from duracell site:
Alkaline batteries can be safely disposed of with normal household waste.

Lithium, Lithium Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride & Zinc Air Batteries
These batteries may be safely disposed of in normal household waste. Contact your local government for disposal or recycling practices in your area.

Just goes to show how wrong you can be.

I will say that I worked at a place that refurbished returned electric shavers and the batteries would get thrown away. I fella dumped a can that had a few of these batteries into a large compactor. He pressed the compactor button and a few minutes later a fire started....moral of the story...don't compact your dead batteries.

Looks like you should contact your local solid waste management to find out how to dispose of your dead batteries.

 

[bassman03]

I got a walwart power supply about two weeks ago and two pedals that didn't work properly with batteries now fully work with the power supply. Not switching back to batteries.

 

[Joe Gress]

I usually bring my generator and park it right behind my stack for my amp and pedalboard. No line noise or searching for a wall outlet in the dark.

Just the lawnmower noise?

 

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

Yes I use batteries...at the moment, I just aquired 7 pedals in the last month and half, so I need to get a board now, and some kind of power conditioner, anhy good ones you guys can recomend?

 

[excane]

Just the lawnmower noise?

You say it like it's a bad thing

 

[AndyLES]

Depends on the effect. Wahs and most ODs have such small power draws that a battery will last literally months (provided you don't leave a cable plugged in 24-7).

Plus, some power supplies (especially those with non-isolated grounds) may in fact add noise and even degrade signal, which won't happen with batteries.

As usual, YMMV.

 

[groooooove]

I'd be interested in any evidence supporting this as well. Probably in the same place where they keep the evidence for those expensive instrument cables

i hate to admit it, but ive heard a massive differnce between "regular" $20 cables and higher end cables.

ive heard a lot of people say that batterys sound better. never bothered to look into it.

more on topic, the only time i ever use a battery is when i dont have enough adaptors. the only pedal i fairly regularly plug in without an adaptor is a zvex, wich draws almost no power.

 

[REAPER52]

got a 1spot for my russian muff yesterday- dont care for the batt to run out at the wrong time - which it will with my luck- as for the ac noise - i been wondering , there must be an ac filter that plug into the wall and you plug into it . gota be one - i saw a thread about a little about 1/2 the size of a cigarette pack one at the namm show 08 i believe but i dint save which thread and forgot the name of - had a vid of it and it seemed to be the answer- any one know about this one?

 

[kyral210]

In my experience pedals work and sound better when on mains, but a good power brick helps as sometimes you get that 'plugged in hum'.

 

[superbassman2000]

I think a lot of people would rethink batteries if pedal makers just made AC powered pedals with a built-in voltage sag circuit

that being said, i also wish that usbcell would develop a 9v version

 

[Taylor Livingston]

I think a lot of people would rethink batteries if pedal makers just made AC powered pedals with a built-in voltage sag circuit

that being said, i also wish that usbcell would develop a 9v version

Hey, cool find. Looks like they are working on a 9v.

http://www.usbcell.com/product/5

 

[rimtism123]

I can swipe 9 volts from work So I have my stock pile

=D

 

[excane]

I can swipe 9 volts from work So I have my stock pile

=D

Be careful you don't get arrested for battery.



I will now proceed to post my own fail....

 

[bassbrad]

Generally I use a power supply but there are a few effects that I only use with batteries for occasional use, a few I use batteries when recording to cut down on noise and a few other vintage effects that really do sound better on a 9v mainly distortions.

 

[SteveC]

Thankfully I am in a no-effects phase. I use a tuner and it is battery powered. Even in an effects phase I only add a BBE Opto Stomp. I tend to use batteries.

And yes, I think the Duracell I usually use sounds better in my bass than the Energizer I had to use the other day. Not sure if it matters in my pedals or not.