Author Topic: Check your batteries... (Read 109 times)

bsee · « **on:** March 26, 2009, 07:53:12 PM »

Just a reminder. My battery bit me tonight. Hard. I played the bass at the rehearsal last week and it sounded great (I use a Duke for living room practice in between). Plugged it in tonight, and I thought someone had blown the speakers in the bass amp I leave in the rehearsal space. When I opened the bass up, the battery was 100% dead on the tongue tester. The bottom of it had also busted open a bit. Sixty to zero in 3.2 seconds.

I assume what happened was that the voltage was dropping as the battery got old and, as a result, the current through the battery went up, generated some heat and blew open the battery. I'm glad the battery fried and everything else held together.

In any case, periodic battery replacement is a concept we all should embrace. Consider this a friendly reminder.

-bob

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2009, 02:31:04 AM »

Highly unusual that as all batteries now are designed to prevent heatup when voltage drops, I remember back in the 60's it was a regular occurrence but not now. Maybe you have a faulty battery, as you say lucky it didn't damage the internals.

keavin · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2009, 06:08:18 AM »

I had battery problems they would die very quick & get soo hot i could feel the heat on my stomach while holding my bass so i took it to a local tech & the problem was just a bad wire.

(Message edited by keavin on March 29, 2009)

olieoliver · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2009, 06:24:49 AM »

Good reminder Bob. Something else to think about, if you have an instrument in storage for any length of time, TAKE THE BATTERIES OUT. Even dead batteries can leak after setting around after a year or so.
In fact I have a few at home I probably should remove the batteries from.

OO

Bradley Young · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2009, 09:56:50 AM »

I have a better solution:

Get a series instrument, and don't use batteries.

Bradley

glocke · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2009, 11:31:09 AM »

I get burnt on this time after time...Every time it happens I check my amp, cable, and always end up checking the batteries last....one of these days I'll learn.

mike13 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2009, 07:22:50 PM »

Use lithium batteries

terryc · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2009, 08:54:50 AM »

byoung..well I would love a series II if you care to donate one to me for free LOL