Battery life in Strl 5 HS?

[keko]

Just an usuall question, not a panic, know allready a lot, but anyway:

What's a regular battery life time in EBMM Sterling basses? In hours? Aprox.?

I just wonder, 'cause I bought recently a Sterling 5 HS produced in 2008. and the battery inside seems to me OEM Duracell factory built in (it's made in USA) but with 2007. date on it!

Bass works fine, sound is fine, no distortion at all, but should I change the battery, just for sure?

However, I'll check the voltage with an instrument today, and make a decision!

 

[keko]

Sorry to bother guys, but OK, voltage is 9.02 Volts.

So, due to my experience, I was usually changing a battery when voltage drops under 9 V, well I predict one practice, one sound check, and one wedding party, than this factory Duracell goes to Recycle bin

However, in my previous basses, batt. life was about 3-4 months according to my semi-pro weekend usage, so I expect similar condition with my new Sterling 5!

See Ya!

 

[five7]

Longer!

 

[Duarte]

I've been using the same battery in my Ray for over a year now, and this bass goes everywhere with me. Maybe if I change it I'll see an improvement in tone, but I have noticed no drop in quality as of yet. I think it takes a long time to wear these batteries down.

 

[keko]

OK, this Thread I opened in July this year (2009.) and than after about a week I changed battery with fresh alkaline (Varta).

Yesterday, (22. December 2009.) I checked voltage with voltmeter and it shows 8.7 Volts!

Of course today I'm gonna buy a new alkaline batt. and replace an old one!

Let's make a conclusion:
With my way of bass usage 5-6 months will be usually batt. changing period I suppose!

Question for the forum family:
Did I play a lot my Music Man bass in last 5 & 1/2 months?

 

[ZiggyDude]

I don't change mine in any of the active basses until they start to sound fuzzy or I notice something. As long as it passes the ouch my tounge test - it stays in. I have had batteries for years. Just make sure you unplug the bass - there is supposed to be a switch that "unplugs" the battery inside.

 

[five7]

Keko you play alot if you change batteries that often. I practice 2 to 3 hours a day and mind last and last like the bunny!

 

[keko]

I don't change mine in any of the active basses until they start to sound fuzzy or I notice something. As long as it passes the ouch my tounge test - it stays in. I have had batteries for years. Just make sure you unplug the bass - there is supposed to be a switch that "unplugs" the battery inside.

Actually, I do the same, but I just noticed at last Sunday gig some preamp "problems" and now it's obviously why!

According the unplugging matter, yes I know that with 1/4" jack plugged in electronic preamp circuit is ON, but my gigs are lasting very long and I usually just turn volume pot down and hang the bass on the stand during the breaks!

But when vol. pot is turned off, electric current consumption of the battery is really miserable, practically there's no signal from pickups and preamp is in kind of a "stand by mode", I suppose?

Anyway, I would rather change the batt. than every hour turn amp off and plug the jack out, and than reverse, plug in, turn the amp on...etc.

 

[keko]

Keko you play alot if you change batteries that often. I practice 2 to 3 hours a day and mind last and last like the bunny!

Yeah, my gigs usually last 6-12 hours (including short breaks of 15 minutes aprox.), depends is it a kind of party, or wedding!
Some weddings were lasting 16 hours, but that's the way here on the Balkans!
Almost every weekend I do have at least one gig, and band must, time after time, practice too, right?
Now, after N. Year I'll take a vacation, finally!

Last weekend we played Friday, Saturday & Sunday, all some company business party stuff, just for example each party 6-7 hours!

But look that at the bright side, I'm collecting the money for the new Music Man bass, which would it be first, Bongo or a Reflex?

 

[oli@bass]

8.7 Volts does not seem really low for a 9V battery. I had the impression that many don't put out higher voltage when new... ?!

 

[mynan]

I believe a new Duracell will put out about 9.3 Volts.

 

[keko]

8.7 Volts does not seem really low for a 9V battery. I had the impression that many don't put out higher voltage when new... ?!

Well, 8.7 V is not the end of the world for sure, it could still supply the preamp, it could be good for practice and so..., but for professional long gig use is not safe!
Could drop under 8.5 or less and cause preamp distortion!

Anyway, I bought and insert brand new Duracell batt. (made in EU/Belgium) and measure it before with voltmeter, it was 9.58 V !!!
That's what I'm talking about!

 

[oli@bass]

Ah. OK. Thanks for the info. Though... I *never* had a battery die on me or needed to exchange one before several years of playing (I may have to add that I mostly practice unplugged)

 

[Musicman Nut]

Just an usuall question, not a panic, know allready a lot, but anyway:

What's a regular battery life time in EBMM Sterling basses? In hours? Aprox.?

I just wonder, 'cause I bought recently a Sterling 5 HS produced in 2008. and the battery inside seems to me OEM Duracell factory built in (it's made in USA) but with 2007. date on it!

Bass works fine, sound is fine, no distortion at all, but should I change the battery, just for sure?

However, I'll check the voltage with an instrument today, and make a decision!

I Play all the time for hours and get 2 years out of a Battery.