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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: yltfan on March 24, 2015, 04:24:31 PM

Title: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: yltfan on March 24, 2015, 04:24:31 PM
I blew another recording last night using a battery that did not have enough juice :(

How do others deal with this? Test the battery every time? Keep track of how many hours are on it? Neither seem very practical--are there any other ways to get the most out of those 9 volts, while not risking screwing up the tapes?
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: Craig T on March 24, 2015, 06:09:00 PM
Rechargeable battery.  Top it off before each show and never* lose power mid-recording again.

* until the battery cell dies (which has happened to me).
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 24, 2015, 08:58:57 PM
On alkaline 9v batteries for my Littlebox, I keep a piece of painters tape on the battery and mark down how many hours are on it with a pen. I can get 18 hours with it, so I get about 3 shows. VERY easy to do and keep track of, and one roll of tape will last a lifetime :)
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 24, 2015, 08:59:45 PM
I blew another recording last night using a battery that did not have enough juice :(

How do others deal with this? Test the battery every time? Keep track of how many hours are on it? Neither seem very practical--are there any other ways to get the most out of those 9 volts, while not risking screwing up the tapes?

And when I ran 9100 tests a few years ago, I got like 40+ hours with an Energizer alkaline 9v battery ;)
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: The Other Chris on March 24, 2015, 09:36:30 PM
Rechargeable battery.  Top it off before each show and never* lose power mid-recording again.

* until the battery cell dies (which has happened to me).

This.
Been using rechargeables for 15 years & never had any issues.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 24, 2015, 09:48:54 PM
Rechargeable battery.  Top it off before each show and never* lose power mid-recording again.

* until the battery cell dies (which has happened to me).

This.
Been using rechargeables for 15 years & never had any issues.

9v though? I've been using AA/AAA rechargeables for a long time too and never really had any issues either, but for some reason, I've never tried rechargeable 9v's :( I'm sure their performance is much better than it used to be though, so I've been thinking of giving them a try. It costs me not much at all a show though and 1x9v alkaline lasts me 1 whole day of recording at Summer Camp 8) Plus, Mr. Naiant said that using [1] rechargeable 9v wouldn't give the Littlebox enough juice for my Schoeps actives, so I've just stuck with alkalines so far!
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: Church-Audio on March 25, 2015, 11:25:25 AM
I blew another recording last night using a battery that did not have enough juice :(

How do others deal with this? Test the battery every time? Keep track of how many hours are on it? Neither seem very practical--are there any other ways to get the most out of those 9 volts, while not risking screwing up the tapes?

Honestly as others have said I would use rechargeable.. Batteries. These are the best I have found and they work great the charger is great and they have higher current capacity. And they ARE DIRT cheap!! Check this auction out on flea bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EBL-4x-600mAh-9V-Li-ion-Rechargeable-Batteries-9-VOLT-Battery-Charger-/300974624904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46137c5088
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: yltfan on March 25, 2015, 06:49:48 PM
I blew another recording last night using a battery that did not have enough juice :(

How do others deal with this? Test the battery every time? Keep track of how many hours are on it? Neither seem very practical--are there any other ways to get the most out of those 9 volts, while not risking screwing up the tapes?

Honestly as others have said I would use rechargeable.. Batteries. These are the best I have found and they work great the charger is great and they have higher current capacity. And they ARE DIRT cheap!! Check this auction out on flea bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EBL-4x-600mAh-9V-Li-ion-Rechargeable-Batteries-9-VOLT-Battery-Charger-/300974624904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46137c5088

I think I will snag one of these, thanks!
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: yltfan on April 12, 2015, 03:26:09 AM
Chris--does your battery charger light up? Mine does not.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: robeti on April 12, 2015, 03:35:01 PM
I use powerex 9,6V recharcheable batteries.
Not dirt cheap, but true 9V.

After each show I recharge them. Never had issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Maha-PowerEx-230mAh-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B000WGCYPQ
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: shownomarcy on April 15, 2015, 06:32:41 AM
I'm also in trouble with guessing it.
I use Energizer or Duracell for my CA-9200. It lasts so looong that I didn't feel like buying rechargeables. And usually I record 1-2 hours only within 2-3 weeks, so it lasts long. But I always lose counting since which month (!) I use a certain battery...
must be a bad habit!  ::)  :facepalm:
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: yltfan on April 16, 2015, 09:06:36 PM
I blew another recording last night using a battery that did not have enough juice :(

How do others deal with this? Test the battery every time? Keep track of how many hours are on it? Neither seem very practical--are there any other ways to get the most out of those 9 volts, while not risking screwing up the tapes?

Honestly as others have said I would use rechargeable.. Batteries. These are the best I have found and they work great the charger is great and they have higher current capacity. And they ARE DIRT cheap!! Check this auction out on flea bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EBL-4x-600mAh-9V-Li-ion-Rechargeable-Batteries-9-VOLT-Battery-Charger-/300974624904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46137c5088

I would NOT recommend this charger and batteries at this point. The charger does not light up like it's supposed to. I have not tested it very carefully yet, since I can't find multimeter.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: greenmtnsrider on April 17, 2015, 12:38:49 AM
I have ebl rechargeable 9v's  and I have one complaint...the positive tab popped off one of the batteries taking it off the charger. Other than that the batteries have been great and yes the charger should light up red until the batteries are fully charged.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: live2cd on July 19, 2015, 03:49:48 AM
I blew another recording last night using a battery that did not have enough juice :(

How do others deal with this? Test the battery every time? Keep track of how many hours are on it? Neither seem very practical--are there any other ways to get the most out of those 9 volts, while not risking screwing up the tapes?

Honestly as others have said I would use rechargeable.. Batteries. These are the best I have found and they work great the charger is great and they have higher current capacity. And they ARE DIRT cheap!! Check this auction out on flea bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EBL-4x-600mAh-9V-Li-ion-Rechargeable-Batteries-9-VOLT-Battery-Charger-/300974624904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46137c5088

I would NOT recommend this charger and batteries at this point. The charger does not light up like it's supposed to. I have not tested it very carefully yet, since I can't find multimeter.
Im having the same problem, yltfan. Just received them in the mail today, but the LED wont light up to indicate its charging. Not sure if I should return them or what.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: taperwheeler on August 15, 2015, 01:27:58 PM
So Chris, the 8.4v rated 9v rechargables are ok for running the 9100?  I purchased a couple of rechargable Tenergy Centuras that I didn't realize were rated 8.4v not 9.6v. Hoping that they'll be ok to power my rig.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: Gordon on September 12, 2015, 11:17:07 AM
when using standard 9volts I always check the voltage with a multimeter before a show. just wondering what the lowest voltage reading is to still be considered safe?  I've read most are considered "dead" in the 6-7 volt range. I would guess it would be safe till around 8 volts but I really have no idea.
Title: Re: CA 9100/9200 battery life best practices?
Post by: robeti on September 15, 2015, 11:13:28 AM
So Chris, the 8.4v rated 9v rechargables are ok for running the 9100?  I purchased a couple of rechargable Tenergy Centuras that I didn't realize were rated 8.4v not 9.6v. Hoping that they'll be ok to power my rig.

8.4v should work fine. I used 8.4V before switching to 9.6V powerex batteries. Never had any problems.