Rechargeable batteries

[iamdelmar]

Hi, everyone.
Just a quick question about my 14-year-old CZ-20:

Can I use rechargeable 9 volt batteries in it? And if so, what kind are recommended.
I no longer have a source of cheap batteries where I live so I'd like to invest in rechargeables and get a good, fast charger.

Thanks.

 

[Rob (IL)]

Yes you can use rechargeable. The CZ's need 12V to operate. The 9v alkalines equal 18V and two rechargeables run anywhere from 16V to 18V depending on which ones you use. I use them in my 6a and my brother's CZ5.

 

[GTzer]

Rob-so do you look for the highest mah or do you have any suggestions to harrow the multitude of choices?
Thanks

 

[Rob (IL)]

I won't recommend a certain brand because as soon as I do they will not work for you. My theory is for me if they would last as long as my longest hunt, that's long enough for me, all day.

I bought 4 - 250 mah Tenergy NIMH and charger. They charge is less than 2 hours or less. So there is no advantage to have a larger mah rating. I don't need them to last for 2 or 3 days, I just charge them when I get home. I really have never checked the maximum time they will run. Since I have 4, I always have 2 extra with me but have never needed them so far.

I use LI ION in my V3i and Minelab SE, the reason for these is they can be charged and are ready to go a month later.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Rechargeable 9 volts for some reason don't last as long as other type rechargeable batteries...If you do a lot of hunting look for a quality alkaline and buy them in large packs for reduced prices...Remember if you don't use the pinpoint which draws a lot of current they will last a lot longer and on beach and water areas where digging is easy many just X the target and batteries last longer...

 

[GTzer]

Thanks for the info. I use rechargables in my Whites & Minelab, They last several hunts. For the CZ20 I use the alkalines from the box stores. Decent price-but still expensive. I don't mind recharging after a hunt-especially for the beach. I live-min.-70 miles away-so it's almost always a 1 day affair 4-8 hrs.
I wish the CZ had a power regulator like the Minelab. That was my reason for asking about the mAH. I've seen some with mAH 2500-3000. Maybe $10 more.
For me & the thread-anyone else care to offer an opinion on the mAH or type of rechargable batteries?

 

[Rob (IL)]

I wish the CZ had a power regulator like the Minelab. That was my reason for asking about the mAH. I've seen some with mAH 2500-3000. Maybe $10 more.

I don't understand about the CZ not being regulated. It can operated from a voltage somewhere above 18V to 12V. The voltage has to be regulated. All mah refers to is run time. You can use the highest mah that is made, it just means it will run longer. You cannot have a battery that has too much mah for a detector.The voltage just has to be within the limit of the voltage regulator.

 

[GTzer]

I could very well be wrong. What my simple understanding regarding-what I may have incorrectly called a regulator is:
Minelab states that you have full power until it is too low in power to use (705 xTerra). I assumed that the CZ was similar to my Whites(6000 xl)-once it reaches a certain depletion you start losing depth & function. I know this is true from using analog Whites for 30 yrs. I bought a used CZ20 and I don't know enough to state the same about it. I haven't had it long enough.
The reason I like the idea of rechargable batteries is from using analogs. I hate having a stock of half powered batteries. I use them in other devices until they go-but I won't use them to MD.
When I get a chance-I'll look into the power regulation so I can speak with a little more knowledge about the subject.
Thanks for the input.

 

[Rob (IL)]

The CZ is regulated and I asked Tom about using re chargeable batteries in my CZ before I ever bought them.

The CZ runs on approximately 12V, (asked Tom) it doesn't matter if it has 18v, 16v, etc. the PCB sees the regulated voltage.

 

[vito]

Hey,
there is one other factor you may look at: nominal Voltage.
It mostly is printed somewhere very small. Depending on how many cells will be used to form this 9V battery pack you get some with 7.2V and some with 8.4V.

Personally the 8.4V ones are preferred in the CZ here.

[attachment 277491 9V_rechargeable.jpg]