Taylor CE - Battery

Rudals · #1 04-25-2017, 06:39 AM

This past week, we were practicing and I noticed that the battery was dying. In the process of yanking out the battery holder the plastic piece came apart. I can use superglue so that's no big deal. But how do you guys plan for this? Just have a spare V9 battery? Does shaking the dying battery help? Does licking the dying battery help? Can I perform CPR on the dying battery? Or should I just carry a spare? What do you guys do?

ChrisE · #2 04-25-2017, 06:42 AM

Carry a spare. Easy fix.

Also there's a little red light inside the guitar where the processor is that lights up when your guitar is plugged in. The light goes off when the battery is low.

Rudals · #3 04-25-2017, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisE

Carry a spare. Easy fix.

Also there's a little red light inside the guitar where the processor is that lights up when your guitar is plugged in. The light goes off when the battery is low.

Yes, indeed! But the light was a clear red but I was getting distorted sound. When the battery was replaced, the issue was resolved.

MikeBmusic · #4 04-25-2017, 07:01 AM

Yeah, with the Taylor ES-1.3 (at least that's what I have) the light is still lit when the battery dies. Low volume and distortion, and it happens almost instantaneously. Spare battery in the guitar case at all times. For an important gig I'll change the battery ahead of time.

Earl49 · #5 04-25-2017, 10:17 AM

^^ This. For a gig put a fresh battery in, and always keep a spare handy in the case. Partially used batteries are for practice and other devices. The ES system gives you little or no warning when the voltage drops too far to work.

Rudals · #6 04-25-2017, 12:11 PM

Sucks.
Wish they'd make the light turn yellow to give warning.
...wait, then they would have to make it blue/green for full power, yellow for time to switch, and red for time to replace.

ChrisE · #7 04-25-2017, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudals1281

Sucks.
Wish they'd make the light turn yellow to give warning.
...wait, then they would have to make it blue/green for full power, yellow for time to switch, and red for time to replace.

I always felt like the red light was sucking up a bunch of power, meaning (to me) it seems like the battery would last a lot longer if the light was off when fresh and then came on to alert you when it's time to change it.

Oldguy64 · #8 04-25-2017, 12:35 PM

I have two Taylors and I have
To agree that the ES can be working one minute, and dead the next.
Always keep a battery (fresh in the package) in your gig gear bag.

The only way you will never be surprised by a dead battery is to change it every 20-30 hours the guitar is plugged in.
The battery is supposed to last UP TO 40 hours.
Plan accordingly.

Mandobart · #9 04-25-2017, 01:14 PM

In my gig box (aka my "open mic den mother kit") I have spare cords (guitar, mic and power), spare picks, spare strings, spare tuners, spare tuner batteries, spare preamps and spare preamp batteries. Plus any tools needed to change batteries, a small bright LED flashlight, clothespins to keep music on stands (I never use it but some of my open mic attendees do), pencils, roll of electrical tape and more. I'll have the parts you should have brought yourself. I'll give you crap for it but I'll help you out.

Greg Ballantyne · #10 04-25-2017, 04:08 PM

I'm hoping to plug mine in in one day......maybe I better check the batteries foe corrosion.....

Rev Roy · #11 04-25-2017, 04:21 PM

Taylor came out with Taylorsense recently. Basically a new battery box with sensors that monitors the guitars temp, humidity, etc. Includes a tuner and a bunch of other stuff. But my favorite feature is that it monitors the battery life. No more guessing or peering into the soundhole to check the light. Had one installed in my 812e 12-fret. A bit pricey, but to me worth it.

bobwl · #12 04-25-2017, 05:15 PM

I always keep a spare. However, my wife got me this really cheap dollar store battery tester, seems to work fairly well for a quick battery check.

Earl49 · #13 04-25-2017, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Ballantyne

......maybe I better check the batteries for corrosion.....

Interesting that you mention that, Greg. I recently went through all of my guitars and removed the batteries, since I no longer perform plugged in. One was completely dead (from 2006) and a couple were weak. Another had swollen a bit and was hard to remove, but had not actually leaked. It was marked from 2009. I put a date on my batteries with a Sharpie as they get installed.