Author Topic: Ultralife battery (Read 519 times)

tommy · « **on:** March 12, 2010, 11:19:22 PM »

Can I use an ultralife 9v lithium battery for my anniversary electronics? Its a new battery that supposedly lasts 5 times longer than an average 9 volt. It says its 100% free of mercury, lead, cadmium.

edwin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2010, 11:36:34 PM »

I don't see why not. There seem to be several varieties. I wonder what the differences are:

http://www.ultralifebatteries.com/subcategory.php?ID=5

elwoodblue · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2010, 11:46:19 PM »

At the bottom of that page gives a link to the info,

http://ultralifebatteries.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ultralifebatteries.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=228

It says the aluminum sheathed batteries are a tad larger and resist environmental influences.
The 5x life battery is the U9VL-BP if I read all that correctly.

edwin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2010, 12:00:40 AM »

Ah, I'm tired and didn't see the link. I wonder if the larger size would be an issue. For most of my instruments, it wouldn't, as the batteries pretty much flop around inside body (lots of room in a Starfire!), but it would be cool to have long life batteries for a Series instrument.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2010, 02:04:21 AM »

My 84 S II barely will take the blue labeled Duracell non-lithium batteries. I actually had to squish them a bit with pliers to get them to fit properly into the compartment - no, not enough to cause a breach of the outer wraping. I have not opened the battery compartment of my 2003 bass, so who knows on that one. However, I just quit using batteries altogether in my S II's, as when do I ever plug in a 1/4 jack? Once a year to tune when I have my rack apart for cleaning, maybe? If the batteries are any larger than regular Duracell 9 volts, then I would expect them not to fit in the 'dual' battery compartments on mine. However, each instrument may be a bit different, as they are made by people, right?

LMiwa · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2010, 05:56:16 AM »

I have used these in non-Alembic basses. I didn't keep records, but I would say that they last maybe twice as long as regular Duracell batteries. Certainly not 5 times as long (note the ad says up to 5 times as long).

As for using them in a Series instrument, I'm not sure how the higher discharge rate would affect them. I suspect that you may see 5x in a very low discharge rate application (smoke detector) and maybe not much better than a Duracell in a high discharge rate application (Series). You'll need someone with a chemistry background to answer that one.

I will agree with their ad that the discharge curve is much flatter. That's both good and bad. It means that the voltage stays high longer giving a longer useful life. But when it goes, it's gone. The transition from being slightly fuzzy to no sound is pretty quick.

I would recommend them if the price is less than double a Duracell, but I wouldn't pay much more than that.

Just my opinion of course...

Loch

mike13 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2010, 12:43:47 PM »

Been using these for 5 years good for 3 times the life of an alkaline in an S2, Essence,and a custom fretless with a p/j kit

edwin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2010, 01:20:10 PM »

Good to know! On my old series I, I bailed on the batteries in order to get an Omega cut, but on the new one, I'd like the option of sitting in without having to lug a power supply. It will be nice to feel confident that the batteries won't drain being in the bass really quickly.

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2010, 05:27:54 PM »

I have wierd experiences with Lithium 9v's:

The Ultralife ones will NOT fit in my Elan. They seem to be a few mm's bigger and squarer than the other Lithiums out there.

I got a regular 9v Lithium from another source that indeed lasted forever except . . . it continually smelled like rubbing alcohol . . . ?

J o e y

jx2638 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2010, 10:17:28 AM »

Wondering if anyone has tried rechargeable 9v batteries???

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CON7PS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000ES8A8M&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0NB92PV2QJV23T42XH7K

LMiwa · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2010, 01:29:02 PM »

Most rechargeable 9V batteries are actually only 7.2V or 8.4V. This is because the individual cells are actually only 1.2V instead of 1.5V. So instead of 6 x 1.5V = 9V they are either 6 x 1.2V = 7.2V or 7 x 1.2V = 8.4V. Some of the new ones are 8 x 1.2V = 9.6V.

Make sure you check which actual voltage the cells produce.

I've used both the 7.2V and 8.4V rechargeables in my wireless system. I got a couple hours out of the 7.2V and about double that out of the 8.4V as opposed to 10 hours from an actual 9V battery. So I had to recharge them between morning and evening service with the 7.2V, but could do the whole Sunday with the 8.4V.

In any case, I would NOT recommend either of them for use inside an instrument. I have not used the 9.6V batteries, so I can't speculate on how they would work in a bass.

Also, keep in mind that all rechargeable batteries have a maximum number of recharges, usually about 1000. And as they approach that, their capacity diminishes.

terryc · « **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2010, 09:13:19 AM »

Imiwa..I have been using rechargables for a year, since I have SIMS LEDS that are powered by the same battery I just change it when the lights go dim.
I have the highest quality units..they were expensive and charging them is no problem since I have four of them and also run them in my wireless system.
I don't have a Series bass(MK Signature) so maybe my current drainage is not as critical as Series basses.
I have no tone or output reduction using them and they save me money as well.
All in all I think it is the best move I have made, I also run 6 AA's in my Boss ME50B as I was sick of power supplies choking up my floor layout.
You state you would not recommend them..is the reason is because of voltage difference or capacity??

terryc · « **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2010, 09:17:34 AM »

Those re chargable on the amazon site are extremely good value for money..$16 for 4, I paid ?12.00 for one which equates to $17.00.
And I said in my last post that I bought 4!!!
You guys in the USA have consumer goods so cheap!

LMiwa · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2010, 11:51:28 AM »

Terry,

Did you get a chance to check the voltage rating on your rechargables? If they are 9.6V, then that explains both the cost and the capacity.

The current drain on Series basses is quite a bit higher than in non-Series basses. A number of people on this site have remarked on how fast they go through regular 9V batteries in their Series basses.

While 7.2V rechargables would yield slightly lower headroom (14.4V rail to rail vs. 18V) I'm not sure that would be terribly noticeable. The reason for my non-recommendation was that the 7.2V and 8.4V rechargables I used simply wouldn't last very long in a Series bass.

When I got my Series bass, I stopped using my wireless. Using a cable but never having to change a battery was preferable to the battery powered freedom of the wireless.

Just my opinion of course...

Loch

terryc · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2010, 10:56:40 AM »

Imiwa..they are 8.4 @ 250mAH, I guess that is why SI's & II's have there own power unit.
Some Status basses use 4 x 9V = 36V for the pre amps!
Batteries are not cheap and maybe it is better for series users to use the power supply all the time.
Now if someone could invent a device that transmits voltage via radio waves that would be great!!!LOL