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Safari Battery life?

O

Onus

New member
I use standard Rayovac Alkaline batteries and I find that after about six hours the batt indicator shows only about half charge. I also notice that the recovery time seems to slow way down . Also, the numerical value scale doesn't want to change for at least 30 seconds or so. So I change out the batteries and everything is back to normal. I always use head phones and am very careful not to leave the unit turned on when I put it away. The usable battery life seems to be about 5 to 6 hours. I have tried rechargable batteries in one of my other detectors but didn't really like them as they won't stay charged even when not in use. Has anyone else determined battery life in their Safaris? Does this seem to be about normal? Onus
 
I am getting about 12 hrs. before I change the batteries. I've not noticed any slow down in recovery speed at all, nor any difference in the numeric changes. I am using Energizers.
I change batteries when the icon goes into the last bar.
 
Onus, I PERSONALLY would NOT BUY Rayovac Batteries, because my personal experience with RAYOVAC'S has shown me that they ARE JUNK batteries!!
I personally use Duracell or Energizer Batteries! Am very pleased with them, but I am playing around with Panasonic Batteries and Kodak Batteries, but
cannot give an Honest Evaluation at this time!! Several forum members are having GREAT Success with Sanyo Eneloop Rechargable Nimh Batteries, and
they are Japanese batteries, Not Chinese Batteries!! Sanyo Japanese Made Batteries are SUPPOSE to be VERY GOOD BATTERIES!! Best of luck, hh,
Les Robinson
 
Thanks all I am looking at buying the Sanyo Eneloops on Amazon for less than $40.00 US with charger. Onus
 
I am aware that the Eneloop cells need to be shipped in refrigerated containers, but the reason is to eliminate the normal self discharge associated with NiMh cells. If these cells are kept below 38 C (not 38 F), they will be ready to use right out of the package without having to charge them first. At higher temperatures, their self discharge rate increases.

Since the freight from Japan comes into the port at LA, temperatures can often be up to 50 C or over inside the shipping containers. The impact of this is that these new cells would have to be charged before use, and that does not fit with their advertised capability of being able to use them right out of the package.

Sanyo did a series of tests at 20 C that indicated that the Eneloop cells would retain 85% of their initial capacity after 1 year of storage (at 20 C). You can view their press release here:

http://www.sanyo.co.jp/koho/hypertext4-eng/0511/1101-2e.html

It appears that Sanyo is using a thicker separator (hence the lower mAh capacity) that is saturated with deionized water. This has the effect of shutting down the self discharge process. At higher temperatures, the electrolyte is more active and you end up with a normal self discharge rate. I am not aware of any permanent damage that is done if the cell is stored at higher temperatures, but it is possible.

I have been using them for the past 3 months at normal summer temperatures and have not seen any drop in performance. I have tested them extensively and they seem to be very good cells. The tests indicate that the self discharge rate starts off higher than they indicate, but I have not had them long enough to draw any long term conclusions. I plan to test out to 6 months at room temperature storage and then to re-evaluate after that.

At 1 month of 20 C storage they still had about 93% of their initial capacity. That is a vast improvement over normal NiMh cells.
 
I just tossed a bunch of NIMhs that would only last about 3 hours! Won't say the name but they might have something to do with a rabbit. And they would completely discharge after sitting for about a week not being used. I guess I should have sent them back to the manufacturer with a note telling thme what junk they were, but just never thought of it. I'll see how the Eneloops do and then report back. Onus
 
Try the Duracell 2650 MAH NIMH rechargeables. They have been on sale at Best Buy for $10 for 4. I have found them on E-bay and got 16 for $16.00.

They last quite a bit longer than the Evereadies and I can go for over 8 hours before my E-trac says the batteries are flat. They recharge in 4 hours and I have been very happy with those.

My friend John has a Safari and he has found the same with his machine.
 
I just received the Sanyo Eneloops I ordered but have been having problems with my Safari. May be sorry batteries I'm using now, so i will hook them up and give it a go and let you know. They are supposed to carry an 85% charge for over a year in storage. Onus
 
Wonder why you care what they hold in storage....

Since you can assume you'll be using the batteries, charge them before you do. Unlike NICAD's NIMH's have no memory effect and can be used completely or partially charged...

Sounds like what I've been reading that the SAFARI is a cantankerous machine if the power source isn't there for it. Wonder if there's a way to rig and external battery and carry something with more ooomph strapped to the belt at the small of the back...

Anyone had any luck there?
 
The Eneloops work great! And they don't seem to discharge when not being used. I can tell a big difference between them and the Rayovacs I have been using. Too the Safari on a real detecting road trip last week and didn't locate the correct site but still found a few interesting artifacts. I think I am learning the sounds better although still being bugged with the darn screw caps! I don't understand the question ,"Why would you worry abut them discharging when not being used"? DUH! What would you do if you took a two day trip and the ones in your detector went dead? Why of course you'd want a set of hot ones to replace them. Simple logic. What good is it to carry discharged batteries? Onus
 
you should check your owners manual before using rechargeable other than the ones from minelab. I read that the batteries will put out a combined voltage that is higher than the recommended voltage and could damage the electronics. I believe rechargeables put out upwards of 13 volts +-. Not that I don't like to save money, but how much is a new detector?
 
NiMH batteries only give out 12 volts just longer life. The only batteries I know of that put out 13 volts are the lithium batteries, wich shouldnt be used in a detector. Although I did for a period of time in my Garrett 1350 because I didnt know that, but it still works great. Nothin like my Safari though.
 
I use GP ReCyko NiMh batteries in my Quattro. They give me 12+ hours (3 outings) of detection. They are 2050Mah, slow discharge (85% after one year)

I don't think the battery drain of the Safari is much different from that of the Quattro.

HH
 
The manual tells you not to use lithium batteries. I talked to a factory rep and they said NiMHs were fine, to put that to rest. I am getting much better results since I ditched the Rayovacs. They work fine in my other detectors, but for some reason, the Safari just don't like them. Although Rayovac wouldn't admit to any problems, they did send me 24 brand new batteries when I wrote and complained. Onus
 
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