EMG Pickup Battery Duration.. too short?

[Recover9720]

In September, I changed the pickup of Modulus Quantum 6 from EMG CSs to EMG DCs and I changed the battery at the same time.

The next time I changed the battery was yesterday. I heard severe static while recording and found it was a battery problem. As I changed the battery, the problem was solved clearly.

According to the manual, it said Emg DC's battery life is 1000 hours.

However, My Emg DC seems to last much shorter than that. I don't count exactly how much I play every day, but I usually play for about 3-5 hours a day, and 3 months with 3-5 hours will be just about 300-500 hours.

Do you think my pickups have a problem?

 

[Levent]

Wrong wiring can drain battery even when jack isn't connected.

 

[andvari7]

If you’re concerned about going through batteries, and you should be, I would suggest you wire up the Fishman Fluence battery pack with your EMGs. There are some posts here on TB that should show you how to do it. It will save you money, in the long run, be better for the lazy person inside of all of us, and be somewhat better for the environment.

 

[ctmullins]

Dumb question: Are you remembering to always unplug when not playing?

 

[Recover9720]

Wrong wiring can drain battery even when jack isn't connected.

I bought the bass for second hand, so there might be a problem I don't know with the wiring. I'd better go to luthier to check the wiring. Thanks.

 

[Recover9720]

Dumb question: Are you remembering to always unplug when not playing?

I do always unplug of course. It will never be the problem of plugging the bass for very long time.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

In September, I changed the pickup of Modulus Quantum 6 from EMG CSs to EMG DCs and I changed the battery at the same time.

The next time I changed the battery was yesterday. I heard severe static while recording and found it was a battery problem. As I changed the battery, the problem was solved clearly.

According to the manual, it said Emg DC's battery life is 1000 hours.

However, My Emg DC seems to last much shorter than that. I don't count exactly how much I play every day, but I usually play for about 3-5 hours a day, and 3 months with 3-5 hours will be just about 300-500 hours.

Do you think my pickups have a problem?

Does EMG recommend a specific brand or type (chemistry) of battery. I assume it's probably an Alkaline of some sort but not even among Alkalines are they all the same. I also assume that you are using a quality brand like Energizer or Duracell, and that they are fresh?

This may just be a one-off since this is the first time you've changed batts since you changed the pickups. Perhaps see how the next battery does before thinking you have a problem?

Did you experience any battery drain issues with the old pickups?

 

[JimmyM]

I would get a top of the line alkaline and see what you get. I’d be tempted to blame the battery before the pickups.

 

[Recover9720]

Does EMG recommend a specific brand or type (chemistry) of battery. I assume it's probably an Alkaline of some sort but not even among Alkalines are they all the same. I also assume that you are using a quality brand like Energizer or Duracell, and that they are fresh?

This may just be a one-off since this is the first time you've changed batts since you changed the pickups. Perhaps see how the next battery does before thinking you have a problem?

Did you experience any battery drain issues with the old pickups?

My battery is Energizer which I opened just before I change the battery. The battery I used beforehand was also Energizer.

It is my first time using any active pickup, so I don't have experience with energy drain issues before. However, even when I was using other basses with active preamps, there were no issues with battery life.

If these new batteries also die in 3 months, there must be a problem with the wiring or other electronics in the bass.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

My battery is Energizer which I opened just before I change the battery. The battery I used beforehand was also Energizer.

It is my first time using any active pickup, so I don't have experience with energy drain issues before. However, even when I was using other basses with active preamps, there were no issues with battery life.

If these new batteries also die in 3 months, there must be a problem with the wiring or other electronics in the bass.

I agree that excessive battery drain points to a possible wiring problem, or electronics problem. But I'd still see how your next battery does before trying to fix something that didn't need fixing. It's possible that you just had a batt that wasn't up to Energizer standard.

Looking at the EMG site it appears that everything is pretty much plug and play which reduces the chance of a wiring error or problem. I'd double check anything that wasn't plug-in though.

EMG also list operating current for their pickups. If you have access to a multimeter and can measure the current both with a cable plugged into the bass, and more importantly, with the cable removed, that would tell you if your drain is normal or excessive. It may also point you in the direction of a problem if it's something other than the EMG's themselves.

Finally, I'd suggest contacting EMG and see what they advise. If these are new and under warranty maybe they'll just fix it. Even if not, they may know about problems that have been encountered and can suggest what you need to do.

 

[Recover9720]

I agree that excessive battery drain points to a possible wiring problem, or electronics problem. But I'd still see how your next battery does before trying to fix something that didn't need fixing. It's possible that you just had a batt that wasn't up to Energizer standard.

Looking at the EMG site it appears that everything is pretty much plug and play which reduces the chance of a wiring error or problem. I'd double check anything that wasn't plug-in though.

EMG also list operating current for their pickups. If you have access to a multimeter and can measure the current both with a cable plugged into the bass, and more importantly, with the cable removed, that would tell you if your drain is normal or excessive. It may also point you in the direction of a problem if it's something other than the EMG's themselves.

Finally, I'd suggest contacting EMG and see what they advise. If these are new and under warranty maybe they'll just fix it. Even if not, they may know about problems that have been encountered and can suggest what you need to do.

Thank you for your amazing advice!

As you said, I will see how long will my new battery go. Hope this batt will go longer than the other one I used before.

I don't have a multimeter... but if this batt dies in 3 months like before, I will go to a luthier to check every electronics inside the bass.

 

[Barticus]

good advice above

Sounds like a bad battery or something is wrong in the wiring that’s causing a drain. I have a BQC with 2 DC45s and 1 18v (due to limited cavity space) and it lasts a very long time, with a lot of playing.

Grab a cheap battery tester off of Amazon

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

good advice above

Sounds like a bad battery or something is wrong in the wiring that’s causing a drain. I have a BQC with 2 DC45s and 1 18v (due to limited cavity space) and it lasts a very long time, with a lot of playing.

Grab a cheap battery tester off of Amazon

I personally don't care for battery testers. You don't really know how they function under testing. This can affect the results, leading you in the wrong direction.

The best way to test a battery is while it is in the equipment under operating conditions. If you have to remove the battery from the equipment to test it, then the test results may be suspect.

With a multimeter (even inexpensive ones) you can test battery voltage under load. You can also measure the operating current. Plus you can use the Ohmmeter function to test resistance and continuity. Much more versatile, even if a bit steeper learning curve.

IMO, anyone who gets "under the hood" of their bass would do well to get a multimeter and learn to use it.

 

[rashrader]

Considering that your sample size is only one, I’d at least see how it goes with the second battery. if the problem persists, seek help or at least check your connections.

 

[arbiterusa]

My Steinberger lasts a year so long as I don’t leave the cable plugged in. However, those are active pickups only. I have noticed basses with active tone controls seem to drain batteries a lot faster. Three months though? Would have someone look at the wiring just to be sure. But hey, it might really need a new one every three months. Be sure to mark your bass with a “last changed” date (I use making tape on the control cavity cover) and carry a spare with you. Don’t forget to put tape over the terminals of the spare. I’ve had some…unfortunate incidents by not doing so.