Topic: Baby Nbox battery life

[guitard]

Current battery in Baby Nbox:



New battery:



Going to a 2 1/2 hour show tonight.  I hate wasting batteries, but that needle is touching the G dammit! 

Ahhh ... decisions, decisions!

[daspyknows]

What is the number that equates to the colors?  It is fine with the 2 lead running to 8v and the 3 lead to 8.5v per Nick.

[guitard]

What is the number that equates to the colors?  It is fine with the 2 lead running to 8v and the 3 lead to 8.5v per Nick.

Kind of hard to say, but I've probably recorded around 20 hours with it.

[daspyknows]

My voltmeter has a number.  Without knowing what green means its hard to know if you are good.   

[flask]

I would change batteries if you're at all worried. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully you have some other non-critical device you can use the swapped out 9-volt in.

[daspyknows]

^  This.   Just realized it was a babynbox.   I was passing on the info on the Platinum. You will be fine.  I typically run 20  or so shows off of a battery in the babynbox.

[yug du nord]

My only experience is with an nbox+.
And with that..  when in doubt, get new batteries..
Got burned more than once trying to push the batteries.

[Dan33185]

I'm just starting out with external mics and battery boxes, but I ended up ordering a rechargeable 9V battery that charges with a micro USB cord. I figured it's going to be a lot cheaper in the long run,and I can recharge it every few shows without having to worry if I'm pushing the battery life.

[dactylus]

Rechargeable batteries are what I use with the various Nboxes, including the Baby Nbox.  Never had any battery issues with these!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Powerex%20Low%20Self-Discharge%20Precharged%209V(9.6V)%20Rechargeable%20NiMH%20Batteries&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

https://mahaenergy.com/powerex-precharged-9-6v-230mah-1-pack/

They may be out of stock due to the whole Covid Supply Chain issue.

[guitard]

I would change batteries if you're at all worried. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully you have some other non-critical device you can use the swapped out 9-volt in.

Yep.  I went ahead and changed the battery; and added it to that collection of "used batteries that still have a little juice in them" pile.

[DavidPuddy]

I use the Powerex and charge every few shows with no problem

[tim in jersey]

I use the Powerex and charge every few shows with no problem

Same.

Nicky told me ~100 hours. I did a half-assed test when I first got mine and can tell you I filled a 16gb card 4 or 5 times @44.1/16 on my M-10 before I got bored with the experiment.

[IraBob]

I don't like to waste batteries either, but as many of us who work in live theater and music have learned over the years, with rechargeable or partially used batteries it's not worth ruining a show over a 50 cent battery.  The "premium" batteries - ProCells, etc - are also not worth the money, IMO. Just get cheap Costco or Sam's Club batteries. They only have to last 2 1/2 hours. Then use them next time for soundchecks or testing or in your bicycle lights.

[Dan33185]

There's always those that will poo poo rechargeable batteries for some reason. I've had the same AA batteries in my recorder for 4+ years and about 15-20 shows per year, and they still work just fine. Everybody's experience will obviously be different, but for 10 bucks for 4 batteries, I got the same lifespan it would have taken matbe 100 batteries to use and saved a lot of money, and it's better for the environment as well (less waste). I guess all I will say is try it and see what works best for you.

[dactylus]

I don't like to waste batteries either, but as many of us who work in live theater and music have learned over the years, with rechargeable or partially used batteries it's not worth ruining a show over a 50 cent battery.  The "premium" batteries - ProCells, etc - are also not worth the money, IMO. Just get cheap Costco or Sam's Club batteries. They only have to last 2 1/2 hours. Then use them next time for soundchecks or testing or in your bicycle lights.

Rechargeable battery technology batteries has improved dramatically!  There are many of us here at TS that use Powerex rechargeables with zero regrets.  The links provided are for consistent, dependable rechargeables!

Powerex 9V Precharged Rechargeable NiMH Battery (9.6V, 230mAh) - In stock at the 2nd link below...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Powerex%20Low%20Self-Discharge%20Precharged%209V(9.6V)%20Rechargeable%20NiMH%20Batteries&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

https://mahaenergy.com/powerex-precharged-9-6v-230mah-1-pack/

[MakersMarc]

I also run powerex 9V no issues ever.

[goodcooker]

I don't like to waste batteries either, but as many of us who work in live theater and music have learned over the years, with rechargeable or partially used batteries it's not worth ruining a show over a 50 cent battery.  The "premium" batteries - ProCells, etc - are also not worth the money, IMO. Just get cheap Costco or Sam's Club batteries. They only have to last 2 1/2 hours. Then use them next time for soundchecks or testing or in your bicycle lights.

I'm not going to try to change your mind but I've worked with and next to many sound and production professionals. The "new duracells every set" is no longer valid. Rechargeable battery technology has changed and all the crusty stagehand union guys need to get on board. Throwing batteries in the landfill is horseshit. The same people who are getting paid to make sure a fresh alkaline battery is in each wireless beltpack need to be getting paid to make sure there's a freshly recharged re-usable battery in each beltpack.

[Scooter123]

Between 20-40 hours is my experience. 

I do not use rechargeables.  I have the rechargeables for the driveway remotes, TV remotes, and all clocks.  I draw the line at shows, due to 2-3 bad experiences where the battery was way in the plus side, like 9.5+ before the show and rapidly crapped out in the middle of the show.  It just died.  All batteries die at some point, but after spending $500 for a ticket, $25 to park, plus gas and meals, I am not going to risk having a dead recording for the sake of $2.  Sorry, I'll be green and frugal somewhere else, so its generally new to near new ProCells.   Now if its a crappy band and show that I don't care about, sure, I might use power-ex or an old Procell running at 9v, but I always, always:

--Unplug the battery after every show
--Check Voltage before each show
--Replace when it even gets remotely close to 9v

I'll note that I have had a couple pre-pandemic 9v batteries, Procells, test OK before the show, and rapidly drain during the course of the show and either end up near dead or actually dead, so having Procells does not guaranty a perfect battery, but it does minimize the risk.  I have basically tossed the pre-pandemic batteries or relegated them to non-music tasks, like remotes.  I can live with having a dead remote on a crappy TV show.  I can't test and change a battery on a recorder in the middle of a show.