Battery life

[Rooster]

What is the expected battery life on these instruments? Practically speaking of course.
What are the signs/symptoms of a weak battery?
If controls (low, mid, high) are boosted/cut how does it affect the battery?
Output plugged in?

I'd just like to understand this a bit more, thanks.

 

[Samingo]

Well I can't answer everything but I've heard the Expected life is Three Months.

Though I, and I know others, have had batteries last up to a year if not longer on occasion if you unplugg when not using and such. And I use my bass a lot so they're pretty reliable.

Signs and symptons, from what I've heard are weaker signals, quiter volume, less dramatic EQ, mostly stuff you could guess at it.

I'm sure somebody mor eofficial will chime in, I just got here first. Hope it helps.

 

[Aussie Mark]

What is the expected battery life on these instruments? Practically speaking of course.

It really depends on usage. I haven't needed to change the batteries in my Bongo yet, and I've had it for a year now. The battery in my fretless Stingray is around 3 years now. My black Stingray, which gets gigged the most of all my basses, is running a battery that is around 2 years old.

What are the signs/symptoms of a weak battery?

Firstly, distorted sound, then reduced output

If controls (low, mid, high) are boosted/cut how does it affect the battery?

I don't know the answer to this one, sorry

Output plugged in?

Yes, that will run the battery down real quick. Well, no quicker I suppose than playing the bass for an equivalent amount of time.

 

[midopa]

I too would like to know if the battery is used when the EQ is set < 0...

 

[dlloyd]

I too would like to know if the battery is used when the EQ is set < 0...

Yes, it is.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Just connected a milli Amp meter to my 3 band EQ.

I plugged a lead into the jack to activate the battery. I didn't connect the other end to my power amp.

I tested while playing with a heavy and light touch. The vol was adjusted up and down. The treble, mid and bass controls were set at boost, flat and cut.

Battery drain was constant, no matter how the controls were set.

The battery is in use with the controls set flat. The settings (including flat) should not decrease or increase the life of the battery

P.S. My batteries last a couple of years.

 

[bovinehost]

If I had a battery that lasted only three months, I'd take it out in the back yard and slap it around for being such a wuss.

 

[Big Poppa]

maybe somebody was using your battery for another handheld device while you were in the purple room escaping reality

 

[bovinehost]

Those use bigger batteries.

 

[Big Poppa]

my transistor radio uses 9v! You have a sick mind, or were you thinkin of a flashlight?

 

[bovinehost]

my transistor radio uses 9v! You have a sick mind, or were you thinkin of a flashlight?

or

D. All of the above.

(can't compete with Luscious, however)

Jack

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

If a battery only lasts 3 months, it's not the pre-amp. Even though a battery is purchased new, it may infact have been sitting on the shelf for some time.

The early pre-EBs had the batteries permanently switch on....taking the plug from the jack didn't disconnect the battery. The drain was so low that it wasn't considered necessary for it to be disconnected. This is the case with my 1979 Ray. I still get a couple of years out of it. The current 2 bands are basically the same as the Pre-EB circuits. I don't know the position with the 3 band, but with the 2 band, if you forget to remove the plug, it shouldn't make a big difference to battery life.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>maybe somebody was using your battery for another handheld device while you were in the purple room escaping reality

Heeeheeeehee

 

[AnthonyD]

If I had a battery that lasted only three months, I'd take it out in the back yard and slap it around for being such a wuss.

Hysterical!

I only gig a few times a year, but plug in and play a regularly a few days a week with my "virtual band" (translation: Selection of MP3's).

My Sterling has the original battery in it - going on 15 months. Unplugging the cable when not in use is key!

 

[midopa]

Neato. Thanks for the info, Dlloyd and Rod!

Ja, my Bongo is coming close to its second (because it's Korean and people don't counting from zero ) birthday and it's still got the original batteries inside. I "gig" once weekly, at my church, but also spend a lot of time on the bass at home. Thems batteries are butch!

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

Lmao to tell you the truth i just changed my yesterday it came to be in Februry... I could still use the battery and the bass sounded better than any other however, with the new battery the tone was wayyyyyyy brigther/cleaner

 

[Samingo]

And just for the record.


Duracell. The Coppertop. Bum Boom Bim

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>Just connected a milli Amp meter to my 3 band EQ.

Just a thought. There could be some added battery drain in the micro Amp range (when playing, as opposed to the pre-amp being idle). If there is, it don't think it will make much difference to battery life.

 

[Psycho Ward]

There's a battery? I thought that little door was where the bottle opener was, have you guys checked with BP on this?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]