The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Acoustic Amplification

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 01-12-2018, 09:25 PM
YamahaGuy YamahaGuy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Ohio the heart of it all
Posts: 4,586
Default 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.
__________________
As my username suggests, huge fan of Yamaha products. Own many acoustic-electric models from 2009-present and a couple electric. Lots of PA too.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-12-2018, 10:48 PM
David MacNeill David MacNeill is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 749
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-13-2018, 09:44 AM
Al Acuff's Avatar
Al Acuff Al Acuff is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Posts: 758
Default

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.
__________________
Al Acuff
Al's Folk Music Blog
Alan Acuff Music
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-13-2018, 10:01 AM
DenverSteve's Avatar
DenverSteve DenverSteve is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Denver
Posts: 11,893
Default

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....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-13-2018, 11:11 AM
1neeto 1neeto is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,412
Default

Since I was a kid. 🤣
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-13-2018, 11:38 AM
Mandobart Mandobart is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Washington State
Posts: 5,422
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-13-2018, 11:59 AM
varmonter varmonter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The heart of Saturday night..
Posts: 3,645
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-13-2018, 12:19 PM
ManyMartinMan ManyMartinMan is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: In The Hills, Off Mulholland
Posts: 4,101
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by varmonter View Post
i don't test.... i wait till they die during a gig. .......
Interesting and curious indeed.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-13-2018, 03:53 PM
varmonter varmonter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The heart of Saturday night..
Posts: 3,645
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan View Post
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

Last edited by varmonter; 01-13-2018 at 03:59 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-14-2018, 09:10 AM
BT55 BT55 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 1,525
Default 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.
__________________
Taylor V-Class 814ce, 717e BE WHB, 520ce, 454ce, 420 Cedar\Maple, T5z Classic
Martin D18E Retro
Cordoba C10 Crossover
Emerald X20
Rainsong H-OM1000N2
Voyage-Air VAD-04
Custom Les Paul
Hot Rod Deville 410, Fishman Loudbox Performer

Last edited by BT55; 01-15-2018 at 10:00 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-14-2018, 09:59 AM
duluthdan duluthdan is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,797
Default

Easy. http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...t-O-Meter.html
__________________
DD
Gibson J-45 TV (LR Baggs Lyric)
Gibson J-45 Legend
Gibson J-50 (K&K Pure Mini)
Martin D-35 (Trance Audio M)
Gibson J-35 Vintage (Trance Audio M)
Martin 1937 D-28 Authentic "Aged"
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-14-2018, 10:29 AM
menhir menhir is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,208
Default

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...

Quote:
Originally Posted by duluthdan View Post
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-14-2018, 12:07 PM
chitz chitz is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,405
Default

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

I know, no fun in that.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-14-2018, 09:41 PM
1neeto 1neeto is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,412
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by chitz View Post
Hate to be a stick in the mud, but I use a voltmeter.



I know, no fun in that.


Doesn’t taste as good. 🤣
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-15-2018, 10:08 AM
Photojeep Photojeep is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 2,230
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1neeto View Post
Doesn’t taste as good. 🤣
And I have no idea how to use one...

PJ
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Acoustic Amplification

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=