Rechargeable 9V Batteries

[Kalani]

Just learned about these. Anyone have experience with them? Do they work fine? Are they worth getting? How do they compare with regular 9V batteries? Recommendations on which one to buy? Thanks!

[steve_mac]

I have used various brands of these, but have ended up going back to normal non rechargeable ones as they last so much longer.

[Kalani]

Great to know, thanks!

[Bill Yellow]

A while ago I got some high grade 9.3V rechargeables. (Normally such NiMh cells are 7.2V rated.) They were said to be good for RF transmitters and so on.

But using them in a stompbox that was just an A-B switching device, they lasted about an hour. So unless you have been recommended to use them, I would say, avoid.

[lt20dbl]

I disagree. I bought eight and a recharger off amazon.com. Have not yet used one in my preamp but have been using one in my beeper collar for my bird dog for three months. It is holding it's charge very well, even in freezing cold weather. Maybe like all batteries, quality varies. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Kalani]

Thanks guys! Anyone know about how long it will last in a typical barn door onboard guitar preamp?

[steve_mac]

Originally Posted by Kalani

Thanks guys! Anyone know about how long it will last in a typical barn door onboard guitar preamp?

In my experience it's weeks as oppose to months with a non rechargeable

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by Bill Yellow

.........Normally such NiMh cells are 7.2V rated..........

This is true of NiCd and many other rechargeable batteries (1.2V per cell). So the voltage is almost half-dead even with a full charge, compared to an alkaline (1.5V per cell). If you have a device that is sensitive to low battery voltage you will have problems, including short battery life. It's not a major problem if you know going in and plan battery changes accordingly.

[cloudyafternoon]

I easily get 3-4 weeks of weekend church services on a Taylor ES-T, and longer in a Martin with a Fishman barn door preamp. Actually, I'm sure I could get longer than that still, but since they're rechargeable I typically pull them out and recharge them proactively. It's not really a big deal to toss them in a charger overnight and I keep a spare. Plus, in my mind, it drastically reduces the chemicals that might someday leach into water supplies or otherwise contaminate natural resources with constantly discarding single-use batteries. I typically buy the Tenergy NiMH high capacity 9v from Amazon, which have a higher mA rating than the low self-discharge variety IIRC.

[Kalani]

Thanks guys, gonna try the Tenergys.

[LSemmens]

I try and avoid batteries in every circumstance I can. The only thing that uses batteries on stage, for me, is the guitar. I can't say that I have found it to be particularly satisfactory, but. The guitar is nearly 40 years old so the electronics are probably well over their shelf life.

[noledog]

Since both my Cooltube preamp (4 AA) & wireless (2 AA) eat batteries, I have found the Energizer rechargeables wonderful & a money saver. I do 2 to 4 or 5 four hour shows a week & then recharge the Cooltube set. The wireless I recharge after each show but keep a second set to swap out while other set charges. Works for me!

[krisls]

Like 'Nole' I too use a Tak w' cooltube (AA's) and they are not gentle on batteries. I also use energiser rechargeables and carry spares. charge up after every gig. No issues at all over the last couple of years. Have a few 9v too for a couple of things.

I suspect though that the actual life is sliding a little so replacements probably due over the course of this year.

Kris

[Mischief]

I like the two before me have a Takamine with cool tube preamp, an awesome preamp that equally is awesome at eating batteries. I bought a smart Varta ultra quick charger.
Charges in 15minutes and lasts comparable to standard AA I was using.
I have two sets of AA one normal capacity and ones with extra capacity. The extra capacity ones are slightly bigger and a bit squeezy to get in the preamp so I prefer the regular rechargeable.

The charger is awesome though.
15minute charge is for two 1600mah batts 4 batts takes 30minutes to 70% so in real terms 4 AA takes about an hour but they are also smart charged and truely at full capacity when done. The charger has a fan and temperature sensing to charge the batteries proper. But does not do 9v but I have not looked to see if there is a 9v version.

http://www.varta-consumer.com/en/pro...fastchargernew

[YamahaGuy]

When ni-cads go dead, they give no warning and go quickly. I tried them in my SLG100S and only got about an hour (with onboard reverb active) per battery. With alkaline I get about 3 hours. I can't speak for the other types of rechargeable batteries (nickel metal hydride, or lithium ion)