Rechargeable Batteries Ok?

[jasper383]

Does anyone use rechargeable batteries in their MM Basses?

I have several 9V rechargeable batteries and a charger, and could save money and resources using them.

Any reason not to? They won't damage the electronics, will they? That's my only hesitation.

 

[DrKev]

No, they can't damage the electronics any more or less than any other battery. They'll be fine.

 

[scottbass71]

I have tried them and they don't last long I was always changing batteries.
Also rechargeable 9V are actually 8.4Volts so you wont get as much voltage swing than using a standard 9V

 

[Aussie Mark]

NiMh rechargables also lose their initial charge very fast if they're not being used constantly. ie. If you charge a fresh one, put it in your bass, and then not use the bass for a week, you'll probably find it fully discharged.

 

[Kristopher]

NiMh rechargables also lose their initial charge very fast if they're not being used constantly. ie. If you charge a fresh one, put it in your bass, and then not use the bass for a week, you'll probably find it fully discharged.

Does that mean it's actually good to leave the bass plugged in with those batteries?

 

[Ken Baker]

Does that mean it's actually good to leave the bass plugged in with those batteries?

Not really.

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries don't suffer from "memory" the way that Nickel Cadmium batteries do. But just like NiCads, they lose their charge just sitting on the shelf. It's less of an issue for the more advanced NiMH batteries, such as the GE/Sanyo "eneloop" batteries, but it's still there. Lithium Ion would be good, but they're just not out there in standard batteries.

As scottbass71 mentioned, voltage is lower. This probably wouldn't be an issue, but you never know. IIRC, the EBMM basses are designed to use Duracells. The voltage will be correct and there is no worry about the physical size.

I use NiMH AA's in my camera and field recorder. The basses get Duracells.

Hope this helps.

Ken...

 

[PocketGroove82]

I've read that as those batteries deplete their energy, they also drop below 9volts.
I would not use them in my bass. After all, if you unplug the thing a normal 9 volt could last you over a year, depending on how much you play...and I play a lot.

Save the rechargeable batteries for your xbox controlers.

 

[LimDidit]

I have a question... how long do batteries last in an MMBass forexample SR4
ive been playing/practicing like 4hrs a day...
when will i notice the battery dying,
theres no led light that warns me the battery is low like on my acoustic/electric guitar.
will i notice the sound dying out slowly or...
will there just be a halt to my playing oneday?

 

[GHWelles]

I like Li-Poly batteries.

 

[PocketGroove82]

When I unplug my bass when I'm not playing, I've found one 9V can last me 6months to well over 1 year. When the bass starts sounding strange to the point of "farting noises not dependent upon technique", your battery is gone.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I have a question... how long do batteries last in an MMBass forexample SR4
ive been playing/practicing like 4hrs a day...
when will i notice the battery dying,
theres no led light that warns me the battery is low like on my acoustic/electric guitar.
will i notice the sound dying out slowly or...
will there just be a halt to my playing oneday?

A daily tongue test is quick and easy because of the fast-access battery compartment. If you're playing 4 hours a day you might get several months out of one battery. If you don't tongue test, the first you'll know that the battery is on the way out will be some distortion.

 

[Ken Baker]

I've read that as those batteries deplete their energy, they also drop below 9volts.

All batteries drop their voltage as they discharge, but rechargeables actually start out below 9 volts. As I mentioned earlier, it's probably not an issue, but you never know.

Ken...

 

[scottbass71]

When I tried it the batteries lasted about a month to 2 months
I was using Nicads fully charged.
When the voltage got low the bass didn't stop the sound started to distort a bit because as I mentioned previous the Rechargeables start at 8.4V
If I can recall I think when I heard distortion I measured the batteries and they were at 7.1-7.2V.
Also another note get the highest capacity amperage eg should be written as mAh ( which tells you how many ampere per hour)

 

[patricknorth]

How often does everyone change their battery?

 

[Aussie Mark]

How often does everyone change their battery?

I change them when I don't get a half-decent zing from the tongue test.

 

[LimDidit]

i have another stupid question... whats a tongue test?

 

[LimDidit]

OOO nvm
i get it now...

 

[MrMusashi]

i hate the taste of the tongue test

i have to pull out the voltmeter to do it.. gheheh

MrM

 

[AnthonyD]

i hate the taste of the tongue test

i have to pull out the voltmeter to do it.. gheheh

MrM

I am SO with you! (Me thinks Mark is a bit too comfortable with the tongue tests!)


My basses are never left plugged in and I find my batteries last about year. I check them with a volt meter when there's a gig to prep for if I am not sure about when they were changed last.

 

[Spectre]

I'm sending all my batteries to Mark for testing