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RBX375 - Battery drained in < 1 week

A

Agnax

Feb 1, 2011
9
0
The Netherlands
#1
Hi all,

my first post @ TB, hoped it would've been a more positive one.

I already used the search but couldn't find a suitable solution/answer. The problem is a following.

I've bought a used Yamaha RBX375 a year back and ever since it's eating through batteries like candybars. The previous owner replied after mailing him that he never had any issues with it, but that's just a load of ****. Usually, a fully charged battery lasts for 5 to 7 days max. I _do_ unplug the cable every time I'm done playing.

Two separate technicians had their go with the bass, trying to fix the problem. Both failed. The battery connecter has been replaced, the input-jack has been replaced, the wiring has been checked and replaced, the pot-meters have been checked and cleaned, etc etc.

I dont mind recharging my batteries one after the other, but it's still silly. I completely like my bass and do not consider trading/selling it for any other, but I would like to solve this issue.

Anyone got a suggestion?

TIA!
 
#2
Have you tried non-rechargeable batteries?
I'm all for using them in general, but rechargeables IME don't stay charged for long periods, even when not in use.
 
#5
@ Fenderhutz: it never hurts to ask ;) After the wiring being checked twice, I highly doubt if it's bare wires touching another. Nevertheless I'll bring it in for a third check, maybe I'll get lucky...

@ llatikcuf
I gave up on using non-rechargeable batteries after I spent a small fortune on them. In other words; it doesn't make any difference.
 
#8
May be a silly suggestion, but when the jack was replaced did they use a stereo jack? I made that mistake once. If it is MONO, the battery is considered to be "on" the whole time, thus draining the battery. Something to look at before getting a new preamplifier etc.
 
#9
Chokeslam might be right on the money. The preamp is probably not the cause, it's an improperly wired output jack or battery clip. The preamp should only be active when the cable is inserted, and I'm sure the two electronics guys checked it out, but that particular problem seems to slip under the radar more often than expected.

Worse comes to worst, pop in a non-rechargable. I've had 9Vs last 9 months of day-to-day playing.
 
#11
I had a similar problem on a brand new Warwick Thumb bass. It was complete BS to buy a bass have batteries drain within a week. It ended up being an easy fix for me. The jack was wired incorrectly. From what I remember there are 3 wires connected to the jack. It turns out the way they wired it the battery was connected to ground so it was constantly draining. I had a wiring diagram from Warwick, but I didn't recognize the problem at first. It works perfectly after I fixed it.
 
#12
I generally tend to find that rechargeable batteries do not hold their power as long as their non rechargeable counterparts. That said changing every seven days is nuts regardless. Im no electronics expert but I would imagine something within the circuitry is draining more than it should, in a worst case scenario your have to change your input socket or add an XLR socket and have an amp that has phantom power built in or get it added.
 
#13
I bought a brand new rbx375, and the batteries dries out in about 15 hours of use. I use only high quality duracell-batteries. My guitar was sent to Yamaha Norway, however they could not find anything wrong with it, but my dealer argued with them untill they agreed to send a brand new one. Hope my new one is better
 

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