Testing batteries
 

For those who have a/e guitars that take 9v batteries, I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who 'tongue tests' the battery. I always tell myself that one day I'll get a battery tester, or throw my pocket sized multimeter in the gig bag. Nonetheless, for the last 7 years I've been getting zapped.

Anyone carry a battery tester? If so, at what voltage do you change batteries.

Also, fwiw, I'm opposed to Ni-Cad or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries since a) they probably won't fit my battery box, and b) when they go dead, it's usually without any notice. My alkalines will let me know either with a distorted sound through the pickups, or a lower than normal output level.

Drop a fiver on one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...hps_bw_c_x_3_w

You’re right to be wary of non-alkalines. I once seriously blew a showcase gig when I tried using a lithium 9v. Fit my Martin’s battery slide but did not make electrical contact. Extremely embarassing. Had to borrow the headliner’s guitar. I thought I was gonna die from shame.

This ZTS Battery tester will test your batteries under a load which is the correct method for testing. It also gives you a readout indicating how much battery life is left.

You're not the only one. I've done it for years and since it works great, there's no need for me to spend money on anything I don't need. Lick on....:D

Since I was a kid. 🤣

Well sure everyone has done (or still does) the tongue "test." If you can seriously tell how many amp-hours you have left in a 9 volt battery within 25% with your tongue you have a serious talent you should be exploiting besides guitar playing. I always bring spare batteries with me, and I find if I change batteries once a year (just like you do your CO and smoke alarms) they never go dead during a gig.

i don't test.
I dont install 9v battery boxes internally in my guitars.
hate em. as a matter of fact i own only one tuner (that stays home)
that takes a 9v battery.so when my batteries (AA)in my wireless unit
go dead it's about 30-45 seconds to change them out.
yes i wait till they die during a gig. always keep
some close by. everything else i have either runs off phantom or
120v. pedals are all pugged in . no batteries in them.

Interesting and curious indeed.

so how do you do it ?? how do you know how many amp
hours are left. if you have to play a 4 hr gig. and
you have 4.5 amp hrs left do you change it or
take a chance.? seem like a waste of time and angst
to me. mine die i change them. i don't play with
springsteen. my audience does not care if i take
30 seconds to change out two aa batteries. i take
longer to tune up. again mine are not internal to the
guitar. i won't own that type of system unless it's a flip
door kind of thing. i usually get 4-5 gigs out of a set of lithium aa batteries.
most of the time i can hear when it's going to die and
change them between songs... most of the time :)

Testing batteries
 

Any guitarist playing in front of an audience has to deal with your battery conundrum. The simple answer is Rechargeable 9V Batteries. Insert a freshly charged battery into each guitar before a gig and you'll never have the problem of having one fail during a performance. As with all batteries rechargeables have a life span. They should be cycled out of service based on their use. You should ALWAYS remove batteries when you’re not using them. Exploding batteries can cause a lot of damage.

Easy. http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...t-O-Meter.html

I was just starting to write a post saying that someone should come up with a device to measure battery life without me having to unstring my guitars.

And then this...

:cool:

Hate to be a stick in the mud, but I use a voltmeter.

I know, no fun in that. :)

Doesn’t taste as good. 🤣

And I have no idea how to use one...

PJ