PowerBug 9-volt Batteries

[driver800]

(not sure if this the best forum, but feel free to move it if not)

I answered an ad on Craiglist a little more than a year ago about a company looking for gigging musicians to try their batteries. I sent an email and did not hear back, so i forgot about it. About 2 months later I received a package of 6 Powerbug lithium batteries. I installed 2 in my bass and have not changed them since - that was 12 months ago!!!
My bass is not technically an active bass, the batteries drive two separate eq filters. Regular alkalines usually lasted me about 5-6 months.

I've been using a Powerbug in my Sansamp for about 4 months now with no sign of weakening. Thats more than 130 hours on one battery.

They cost $30 for 6 9-volts, about $5 each but are well worth it. They advertise that they last 5 times normal batteries. It's been true in my case and I highly recommend them.

I am not affiliated w/ Powerbug in any way, other than them sending me free box to try out. I just thought I'd share my experience with the TB'ers and give the company the credit they deserve.


http://www.powerbug.com/

 

[joeyl]

looks interesting. I like the plastic housing and the tech specs.

 

[Lokire]

Wow. I really like what I'm reading about these. It's nice to see some real innovation in batteries like these. I know where I'm getting my next pack of 9-volts

The price is good too. I think a standard pack of 2 duracell 9-volts is usually around $10 isn't it?

 

[jimbilly]

An 8 pack of Duracells is $10 at Costco, you're not buying yours at the corner gas station are you?

 

[lowrez]

You guys sound like an infomercial

 

[Drake Kennedy]

Are these rechargeable? If so, sign me up for a 6 pack!

 

[Lokire]

An 8 pack of Duracells is $10 at Costco, you're not buying yours at the corner gas station are you?

D'oh! Actually, I usually get my batteries for free. We get bags of slightly used batteries from my work, usually from wireless mics that get swapped after every show

 

[driver800]

Are these rechargeable? If so, sign me up for a 6 pack!

They are not rechargeable, but they are a good deal for the money. High-quality alkaline 9-volts at most stores (near me) are about $2 a piece. The powerbugs also seem to provide more consistent power over their lifetime.

(seriously, i'm trying not to sound like an infomercial. I just had very good results with these and no one else seems to know about them.)

 

[tplyons]

Sounds nice, but you're going to do more than that to get me away from 12 Duracell Procells for $18.

 

[chucko58]

I've been using lithium 9V batteries for years. In fact I've been using Ultralife brand batteries - they're the company that owns PowerBug.

Yeah, they're expensive, but I very rarely have to check my active basses' batteries any more.

 

[Blacksheep]

In my Ibanez owners manual, it said that only Alkaline batteries should be used in the bass. Im not sure if this goes for other brands though.

 

[Steelpulz]

I also had questions about lithium batteries. Here is a link to that thread. there is some interesting info in it.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298562&highlight=lithium

 

[driver800]

I also had questions about lithium batteries. Here is a link to that thread. there is some interesting info in it.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298562&highlight=lithium

There is a very good post in that thread referring to the voltage difference between alkalines and typicaly lithium cell batteries:

The voltages are slightly different per cell between lithium and alkaline. A lithium cell is going to have 1.3 volts/cell, where as an alkaline is going to have 1.5 volts/cell. A true 9v alkaline has six alkaline cells, whereas a 9v-style lithium will either have six and be under voltage, or seven (the more likely of the two), and be slightly over voltage.
...

The powerbugs actually use (3) 3-volt cells so they are comparable in voltage to alkalines:

http://www.powerbug.com/battery_tech.php

 

[EvanOnBass]

Procells are just re-branded duracells - nothing different at all about them other than packaging (and price). I've been using the PowerBugs for nearly a year. What's awesome about them is that, in addition to 5X the battery life, their superior voltage curve actually promotes better headroom, especially in 18V preamps. The plastic housing helps in eliminating cyclic hum in your control cavity too, as tin-housed alkalines actually act as an antenna for hum.

I'd also mention that some of the best luthiers in the world are bench testing them right now... Ritter Basses, Warrior Instruments, Modulus, Bee Basses, Jerzy Drozd, Fodera... the list goes on. Steve Bailey said they were the best thing he had seen at NAMM (I gave him some). Bill Bartolini loves them. The Flecktones (Victor Wooten) have been running them in their gear since they passed through Denver in January as have Stu Hamm, Jeff Berlin and Billy Sheehan (BX3 tour). It won't be long until they are recommended everywhere. Best of all, they're manufactured in the USA - Rochester, NY.

 

[yellofury]

You guys sound like an infomercial

but wait !!! if you act now you get a free chamois!!!
actually I've been using the 9volt that came with my Legend and i shudder to think what generic brand it is
It still powers the preamp and its been 6 months since i took delivery of the Spector
but this battery has piqued my interest

 

[Dr. Eagle]

I'm wondering if these batteries are similar to the energizer lithium batteries that I have bought in the past. Those work OK for my Buzzard and my precision with the active EMG pickup but because of their (sharp edged) square shape, they won't fit in my Carvin's with the pop up battery box. Are they shaped like a standard alkaline 9v battery?

 

[PilbaraBass]

I buy inexpensive alkalines and then recharge them...

yes, it can be done...carefully as not to cook them...

I can easily get 5-6 recharges from a set of normal everyday alkalines.

 

[driver800]

I'm wondering if these batteries are similar to the energizer lithium batteries that I have bought in the past. Those work OK for my Buzzard and my precision with the active EMG pickup but because of their (sharp edged) square shape, they won't fit in my Carvin's with the pop up battery box. Are they shaped like a standard alkaline 9v battery?

I have not used the enregizer lithiums, so I can't be certain if they are shaped the same. They are shaped like a standard 9-volt, except with a little shaper edge (regulat 9-volts are more curved). My Kawaii bass has small leather battery sleeves and the powerbugs fit like a regular 9-volt.

 

[Bryan316]

Everyone in my band runs around wireless. We use 9-volts a LOT. My brother uses a bunch of rechargables for practicing at home (cuz his rig is complex and tight and swapping the wireless for a cable is a tight squeeze without unscrewing a rack shelf).

But for our shows and for my active electronics, we've been using Walgreen's Heavy Duty 9-volts. They're only a buck each, they sell in 6-packs, and we usually buy 6 packs at a time. We tested them with a voltmeter, and they come stronger out of the pack than Duracells. The Wals are around 9.55 to 9.58 volts, whereas the Duracells come 9.30 to 9.40. They most certainly outlast Duracells. We've been meaning to rig the two brands to a little 9-volt fan I've got and time them to see their straight-current-draw longevity. Maybe I'll get crackin' on that test idea...

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I bought a box of Powerbugs just to try them out. The first thing I discovered is that they are substantially larger than your standard Duracell or Eveready 9 volt batteries. I fit one in my L2500 OK, but my Cirrus? Fagetaboutit! Two regular size 9 volts are a tight fit in the Cirrus - two Powerbugs don't even come close to fitting in the battery compartment.

Point being, before you buy the Powerbugs, make sure they'll fit wherever it is you need them for.