What battery do you trust for your active?

[Ron Johnson]

Just curious which brand of 9v battery you feel confident having in your active bass, not being worried about it draining quickly, dropping voltage, or failing.

I just use Energizer because that's what I hapen to have a box of. I'm thinking of adding a second battery in parallel just to be safe.

I know most major batteries are generally trusted and assumed to hold up, but I'm curous what brand you choose for piece of mind.

Also, will there come a day that basses come with a rechargable battery so all you have to do is plug it into a DC and charge? Or a day that a third lead will be provided inside instrument cables to power the active preamp without a battery?

 

[SamJ]

They're about $9 each, but with a shelf life of nearly forever, and lasting 1.5x as long, this is the only battery that goes into my $10000 Alembic, as well as the others..

 

[20db pad]

I've been using Duracells since forever, but I can live with an Energizer as well.

Rechargeables aren't really the way to go with an active bass because when they lose charge, they do so quickly. There have been attempts to devise a cabling system to power an active system without a battery, but they weren't really popular - it's too easy to do improper wiring and cabling and introduce voltages where they simply don't need to be. EMG used to offer a box that did this, and Alembic did and maybe still does.

 

[Hot Rats]

Duracell, Energizer....Eveready. Whatever is in the pantry when I need one. I had a Lightwave bass and it has a rechargeable battery, just like what you were talking about. Honestly, I never thought about batteries and failure rates much, it'll be interesting seeing some the posts here.

 

[SamJ]

I've been using Duracells since forever, but I can live with an Energizer as well.

Rechargeables aren't really the way to go with an active bass because when they lose charge, they do so quickly. There have been attempts to devise a cabling system to power an active system without a battery, but they weren't really popular - it's too easy to do improper wiring and cabling and introduce voltages where they simply don't need to be. EMG used to offer a box that did this, and Alembic did and maybe still does.

to borrow from Spandau Ballet... "This much is true"

Rechargeable are probably the worse choice as they have a very slow voltage drop off and don't hold a charge as long. Just to be clear, the Lithiums I'm using are NOT rechargeable.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Used to buy expensive, rare metal types, now whatever.

I change them on a regular schedule, that's the deal.

 

[dusterdan70]

I don't think it matters how long they last really, just change them before a bit outing and bring bring backups

the most important issue (imo) should be leaking! battery acid is nasty stuff so go with top shelf whenever and wherever possible

 

[mmbongo]

I feel ashamed to ask this, as I glance over at my Electronics Engineering Degree on the wall (but that was a long, long time ago!)

But you said you wanted to add a second battery in parallel...would that still provide 9volts and just last longer, or would it provide 4.5 volts?

 

[Marko 1]

Duracell “Procells”, which are identical to the regular Duracells but packaged for commercial use and less-expensive.

Check out “Zoro Tools”-- get on their mailing list and they have good sales once in a while.

 

[Stevorebob]

Duracell or Energizer. Whatever is available. I test before gigs and rehearsals with a Keith McMillen Batt-o-Meter.

 

[Pandastylebass]

 

[SamJ]

I feel ashamed to ask this, as I glance over at my Electronics Engineering Degree on the wall (but that was a long, long time ago!)

But you said you wanted to add a second battery in parallel...would that still provide 9volts and just last longer, or would it provide 4.5 volts?

I too have a 20 year old EE degree completely unused and also have been dabbling with amateur radio for the same amount of time... I do feel your pain on the lack of use! Never forgot some basics tho, a parallel circuit will double capacity at the same voltage..

 

[el murdoque]

the ones that are supposed to be good (duracell, energizer and so on) usually start around €4,50 over here.
I usually buy the cheap house brand - i get two for 1,69.
One goes in the bass and one goes in the gigbag. if the battery dies on me, i have a fresh one at hand.
before a gig, when the battery is not that fresh anymore, i swap them, too.

 

[Pilgrim]

All alkaline cells perform about the same. It's OK to buy by price.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Duracell Quantums' just made their way onto mine 2 weeks ago.

I have always trusted that brand for acid leakage.

 

[Ron Johnson]

I feel ashamed to ask this, as I glance over at my Electronics Engineering Degree on the wall (but that was a long, long time ago!)

But you said you wanted to add a second battery in parallel...would that still provide 9volts and just last longer, or would it provide 4.5 volts?

Parallel keeps the same voltage but incrrases the capacity. Series double the voltage and have the same life.

 

[iiipopes]

A few years ago, Consumer Reports, which I'm seeing a googlebot ad as I type this, did a comparison of alkaline 9-volt batteries under load. The verdict was that they all performed the same.

 

[Ron Johnson]

A few years ago, Consumer Reports, which I'm seeing a googlebot ad as I type this, did a comparison of alkaline 9-volt batteries under load. The verdict was that they all performed the same.

Pretty much what I expected. They probably all come from the same factories too, just with different labels.

 

[line6man]

Also, will there come a day that basses come with a rechargable battery so all you have to do is plug it into a DC and charge?

I don't see there ever being an advantage to rechargeable batteries, unless you are trying to be Eco-conscious, or whatever. You have to change batteries so infrequently, that there isn't any reason to bother with rechargeables.

Or a day that a third lead will be provided inside instrument cables to power the active preamp without a battery?

That day has already come. All you have to do is use a TRS "stereo" cable, with a DC power supply feeding the ring terminal. EMG, and a few other companies sell power supplies specifically for this purpose, but it is far cheaper to build a power supply yourself.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[line6man]

I've seen these batteries used on medical equipment. They are good batteries.

 

[Pandastylebass]

I've seen these batteries used on medical equipment. They are good batteries.

Yes, I started using them because they are the standard in television and film for wireless mics and headsets.