Author Topic: How to test 9 volt battery (Read 775 times)

daveo · « **on:** March 17, 2006, 01:44:39 PM »

Hi,

I started getting some weird output from my Tribute and found that changing the 9volt solved the problem. Can anyone tell me what the thingy is that tests a battery's voltage and if it is possible to buy one for a reasonable price?

Thanks,

DaveO

olieoliver · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2006, 01:51:28 PM »

Radio shack should sell multimeter for under 20 bucks. They are always good to have.
Or you can rely on the old faithful test, Stick your toungue on it. (Warning this can be painful & addictive)

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2006, 03:41:56 PM »

I use my tuner to test 9 volts. A transister radio works also.

Bill, tgo

bigredbass · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2006, 10:51:23 PM »

The old faithful is not very accurate . . . in the old days when i worked in music stores, we used to check the batteries that came with BOSS pedals that way. And man, they would part your hair! Finally we took a couple into the shop and the tech put 'em on a meter: 10.5, 11 volts consistently. Called Roland in LA: We get them REAL warm, as who knows how long they'll be on the shelf, and want our customers to have their first battery on us I appreciated their thoughtfulness . . . after my tongue quit smoking!

J o e y

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2006, 12:06:37 AM »

I personally use the old faithful and have for years, you kind of get a feel for a suitable voltage.

I was told years ago but never checked... that when you put the battery on your tongue, it makes your pupils dilate.
I'm sure its rubbish. lol

When I was doing more regular bass gigs, I used to change the batteries very regularly maybe every two or three gigs and keep the used ones in my case as backups for my tuner and wireless transmitter etc.

I figure about ?3.50 off my gig fee is neither here nor there to ensure confidence that the bass is always on full power and performing to spec.

Jazzyvee

crgaston · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2006, 04:43:34 AM »

Ollie is right on the money.

You can use your tongue. Try it with a new one a few times to get a baseline. You really can feel a difference when they start to go.

A multimeter is certainly handy to have as well, and is small enough to slip in your gig bag, too.

(Message edited by crgaston on March 18, 2006)

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2006, 08:14:54 AM »

I can hear it now,....but officer I just checked a 9 volt batery.....
I agree Joey the tongue method is not very accurate. The multimeter is one thing I have on every gig. It's great for checking cables, speakers, batteries, wall outlets....

bassdr · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2006, 11:10:31 AM »

Go to Ace hardware, they sell a tester for batteries that will test all the common batteries for about $10- I use mine all the time and it takes the guess work out of is this battery good or not?, it is a load type tester rather than voltage tester and as such is more accurate to determine if the battery is still good. Michael

daveo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2006, 10:54:38 AM »

Thanks everyone! And Michael, I did actually get the Ace hardware battery tester. It's small, light and cheap and it seems to work well. Thanks for the advice.

DaveO