Battery quality and detector performance!

[Infiniumexplorer Excalibur]

Does the battery quality affect performance? And if so, on which machines? I would particularly like to know about the GMT. I read an article about the Tejon that mentioned that high performance batteries are important for the Tejon: http://www.garysdetecting.co.uk/tejon.htm (scroll right to the bottom). I know the Infinium isn't affected, but which detectors are (GMT?) and what batteries are alright? (are rechargeables ok?)?

 

[thebeatmachine]

All batteries put out the voltage that they say they do when they are new but some put out the voltage for a longer period of time before it begins to taper off. Your detector goes "dead" from used up batteries because the voltage of the battery pack falls below the lowest level the detector can operate on.

The lowest voltage the detector can operate on is determined by the Voltage regulator, a chip in the detector's circuitry. Typically they are 8 volts, so the power from your battery pack may put out 12v to the detector and the regulator slows it down to the 8 Volts that the detector uses.

As you are humming along in the field your battery pack will be above 12v. when it is fresh and some hours later (the mfg usually states how long) the batteries get used up and getts near 8 Volts and the detector shuts off or loses performance.

Disposeable:

If you use disposables get Alkaline. Don't fall for "Heavy duty" or any other wording, as long as it says alkaline those are the best because they will stay at there voltage longer than cheaper batteries.

Brand names make no difference in batteries as long as you are buying Alkaline. So skip the Duracell and go for the dollar store.

Rechargeables:

Recharge-ables are what I use. They put out less voltage 1.2 Volts instead of 1.5 volts like alkalines,
but you can recharge them up to 1000 times. Typically a re-chargeable will have 1.3 volts when it is a fresh charge and 1.3v x 8 batteries ( in a White's and Minelab pack) is 10.4 volts which is way more than the 8 volts a detector requires.

The rechargeable batteries will put out that 10 Volts until they finally go dead.

The MAH rating on recharge-ables determines how long they will last

The higher number the better. 2600 mah is fantastic Lets say a detector runs on 200 Milli-amps ( which is a total battery hog) Than take 2600 and divide by 200 and you get 13 hours of use.

As long as you keep them charge you wont lose any performance IMO, plus you can save about $700 by using them


I hunt in the park so if I was hiking in gold country which is completely different I would go with those dispose-able Lithium batteries
because they are light weight and really do last 8x longer. for 3x the price.

I am no expert but have looked into this stuff for a while and use rechargeable 90% of the time.
If I was going where power for days on end really mattered I would spend the money and buy those dispose able lithium.

Alkalines that can be picked up for a rock bottom price are a great deal (completely ignore brand name)

Batteries that say Heany duty, or long lasting are crap unless they specifically say Alkaline on them[size=medium][size=large][size=medium][/size][/size][/size]

The Guy in the article on the link you gave IS basing an important opinion on only one example. His batteries where defective, or old or maybe he left his new machine on overnight. I wouldn't run out to buy panasonic industrials after reading it either, but I wouldn't be buying four packs of Enigizers for $7 with out looking for much cheaper alternatives.

 

[Infiniumexplorer Excalibur]

Thanks for the detailed post.
It looks like my Explorer SE is a total battery hog! I have 2450 rechargeables and they would only last about 10 - 12 hours!

 

[landmetals]

Very informative post, thebeat. I have always heard that for the money and performance, dollar store alkalines are excellent for detectors.

 

[ridgerunner]

Great information,Definatley some info I have been wondering about. Thanks Russ

 

[garwha]

I will say overall I do not like Chinese batteries, and will no longer put one in a detector. I have seen too many of them leak, and never reach their expiration date. I have had perfect performance from all of the American, and German brands. Raovac is really overlooked by many because of advertising, but match energizer and Duracell in every way. 99cent only stores have them in Dallas. 4 AA's for a dollar right now. I have also bought a few dozen two packs of their 9volts there for a dollar.

Those looking to convert to rechargeables should now look to the new lithium ion rechargeables on the market. Thomas Distributing has them, and some local companies too. They will run longer than alkalies, and about three times longer than Nmih.

All metal detectors are powered off of their voltage regulator. I don't know of any that require more power than rechargerables produce. I used to run a Tesoro MicorMax of of a 7.2 volt rechargeable 9 volt with no problems other than run time because of nicad performance. If you don't know the operating voltage of your machine you can call service of your maker. I think some post this info on there web sites.

 

[Infiniumexplorer Excalibur]

Didn't know that rechargeable Li-Ions had come out yet, that's awesome!

 

[garwha]

A note on the AA lithium Ion batteries. I had gone to a batteries suppliers web site to check on some other batteries and saw some Lithium Ion AA and though that would be a great way to go if I went back to rechargeables in my AA machine. I went back to check on them again and it turns out there are plenty of AA Lithium Ion batteries out there, but they all seem to be 3.6 to 3.7 volts, and not 1.5 volt regular AA replacements. Further research has not led me to any 1.5 volt rechargeable Lithium Ions.

 

[S.S.Tupperware]

I use either enigizers or duracell, from Home Depot 36 are only 12 bucks or so. There is a difference in the cheap dollar store batteries. Never had a bad one or a leaky one. I guess I get 6 months out of the 36 pack... they are in a DF if that makes a difference.

 

[B.T]

You can get good rechargeable NIMH batteries now that last as long as Alks. The Vapex brand has a set that rates at 2900 mah and lasts longer than Duracell and Energiser rechargeables. They are very popular with those using battery powered model planes, cars etc due to their high rating and long life. I use them in my 6T and have used them in a Prizm 4 without a problem and couldn't tell the diff between them and good Alks. Vapex also makes a smart charger that shows the batteries charge/power level on an LCD screen as well as a charger that can be used on 240v (Aus) or 12 in your car. Quality stuff.

 

[Woodchuck]

I use the Sanyo Enloop for NiMH rechargaeable they live up to the reports on them