What battery do you trust for your active?

[rtav]

Duracell. I set an alarm on my phone to alert me every 3 months when it's time to swap them out on both of my guitars - works for me!

Oh, and because there's usually a good amount of charge left, I get to re-purpose those batteries in other things til they are gone. I just wish my Roku remote took a 9v.

 

[line6man]

I set an alarm on my phone to alert me every 3 months when it's time to swap them out on both of my guitars

You should be able to go at least two or three times that, without any risk of the batteries dying.

 

[FretNoMore]

Any cheap battery really, it will get replaced way before it has died anyway.

 

[rtav]

You should be able to go at least two or three times that, without any risk of the batteries dying.

Oh yeah. I'm aware of that, but I like to keep them fresh, they're cheap, and I can always find a gizmo lying around that needs a battery with some life still in it. And if I don't change it in time, I'm OK, too, I know it'll keep going for awhile (usually).

 

[Humbled]

Procell/Duracell (same battery) is what I use out of old habit and it's what every Pro-Audio Company I've ever run across used.

 

[Clark Dark]

I usually buy Duracell Ultra, now Quantums or Procells and when I buy a pack new I use them this way.
#1 smoke alarms
#2 basses and everything else.
Don't put the used batteries in the smoke detectors

 

[HeavyJazz]

The :Copper Top" - Energizers used to driver my G&L nuts for some reason.

 

[moody]

People... We are talking about a tiny circuit requiring a tiny current. Any battery will be more than ample.
(Rechargeable aside depending on exact voltage tolerance of your circuit).

I get the cheapest battery I can find. I will run it until it dies in rehearsal (I have not been gigging much lately) or replace it before a gig if it is getting to the 6 month point. I carry several spares. My bass is quick and easy to replace the battery on.

I know that if I ever buy an expensive battery I will accidently leave it plugged in one day and drain it anyway.

I have been known to get very good batteries, use them in the smoke alarm for 6 months and then put them in the bass for another 4 or 5.

From rehearsals and a couple of early gigs, battery failure can manifest in several ways on the same bass. From gradual lack of volume, strange noises, instant no volume and surges of volume (like an expansion circuit).

 

[gregmon79]

Anything lithium or regular. I also will use rechargeables. They have worked pretty well for me so far. I keep two, one in the bass, on in the case. If it dies, grab the one in the case and recharge the other one when I get home and throw it back in my case. Other than that though, def lithium or regular.

 

[dmac1961]

I use the Rayovac alkalines. Ingles (regional grocery store around here) usually has them on sale every few months for $.99 each. The also have four packs of the AA's and AAA's and two packs of C's and D's for $.99 too. I usually clean 'em out of 9v's and stock up on the others if I'm making a beer run and they're on sale. Oh, and they work just as well as the Procells for my basses, tuners, remote controls, flashlights, etc.

 

[Yango]

Duracell. I can leave them in my Stingrays, and pedals for up to two years.
I've tried the Energizers and found that they tend to die too quickly.

 

[Ewo]

I'm not picky about the battery brand, at all. Part of my pack-for-the-gig routine is to check the battery condition with a McMillen Batt-O-Meter tester. But that's more my OCD than a real need; my Sadowskys go through batteries very slowly, anyway.

 

[Big Hoss]

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..



View attachment 634605

You are paying about $3.00 a piece too much for them. My local Lowes has that same battery for $6.00. I use them in my Ibanezes almost exclusively. They last so much longer than regular old fashioned batteries.

 

[Jim C]

I've had Duracells leak and ruin a Brinkman flashlight, a small radio, and nearly a Fluke meter.
I was using the Bunny but they are now made in China but have not leaked.
I just switched to Rayovacs which are still make in the states.
BTW, the Duracells are something like .050" large than a standard 9 Volt making them a super tight fit in older Stingrays; odd in that is what they recommemd.

 

[TigerInATrance]

I get mine from BJs. A box of 12 goes for $10 when they're on sale. I also change them out every 2 months (the old ones usually have enough charge to make it a year in the smoke detectors, so it's a win all around!)

 

[1954bassman]

After having issues with Duracels, I use only Energizers. I buy them in bulk. My experience is: I have never had an Energizer leak on me, can't say the same for copper tops.

 

[landwomble]

In about fifteen years my J Retro has probably had 5 batteries, tops. I use Procells only because I trust then not to leak acid when tired.
I suspect OP is over thinking this...!

 

[Haji]

Isn't overthinking things exactly what musicians are supposed to do?

 

[raventepes]

I use whatever batteries I have on hand. I'm not picky. I think right now, I have some Duracell's of some type in my Spector, but I have some Panasonic's in my pedals.

 

[Ajapses]

I just use what Dad liked, which was pretty much what's near the checkout at the store, as long as they look pretty and seem fresh. Generally start changing them once I get that queasy feeling, which will be 6 to 12 months depending on how much I forgot to unplug. So far, the old ones have always passed the tongue test - enough life left to make you flinch when you short across it. Seems you can play it super careful and have a rigorous regimen of battery swapping, or live on the edge and gamble a little.