Battery Life using the ID Edge?

[Sven]

What batteries are you finding last the longest in your Edge?
I put in fresh 9 volts before yesterdays hunt, they read on the meter 9 volts. After 5 1/2 hours of hunting they drop down to 8 volts.
At what voltage point do they need replacing?

I believe Jabbo did a mod using AA batteries to get longer battery time.

 

[MarkCZ]

@ 8 volts your still really good. The detector I believe is regulated to 6 volts and the batteries are not in series they are parallel so if the ID edge is like the Coinstrike it should give you a low battery warning around the 6 volt range.

I use rechargable batteries and take a set of regular batteries for backup.

Mark

 

[jabbo]

Sven, I believe 6 volts is the minimum to run the detector. One 9 volt is all it needs. I put a 9 volt wooden dummy battery in and ran the wires back to to an 8 cell AA battery pack but using only 7 rechargables and a dummy 1.5 volt. Also an 1/8" jack for the batt charger and an on/off mechanical switch to the batt pack. Head phones now plug into a 1/4" jack at arm cup too. Using a 12 volt 150 mA charger, plug it in for 2 hours set on a timer brings it back up to 8.5 volts. When I'm out for 3 hours the voltage drops to under 8 volts, still has a long way to go. I pick up the 1.5 v. rechargables at the recycle center, they're from cordless phones. Here's stuff the Edge found past two weeks. The large penny has no detail left, had to dig down 8", was under a large tree root, has no heavy rim around the edge so most likely a colonial NJ penny. All found in corn fields and woods. Jabbo

 

[MarkCZ]

You can get a couple of Nickle Metal rechargable's at Harbor Freight for $4.00 each and a charger for $14.00 and you won't run it down on a LONG day's hunt. Its simple, cheap, and works very well, just carry a backup set of Rayovac regular 9 volts batteries to get you back home then recharge the Nickle Metal's for the next hunt.

Mark

 

[jmaryt]

do you experience any (e.m.i.) issues with the i.d.edge?
thanks!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Sven]

Only had one issue in one 10' area, underground wire?, near the backside of a bandshell, otherwise no. From all the places I have tried it, it is one machine that does not suffer from EMI.
At least I would like to think it doesn't suffer from EMI.

 

[jmaryt]

that's good info! thanks! was just curious,if you have hunted in a more "urban" environment
such as a city park,or school ground,AND you have experienced (e.m.i) in THAT environment,
while using the "edge?

thanks!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[Sven]

I hunt within the city limits, you have your standard microwave towers, some underground power lines, air port ....with the usual EMI emitters.
Have hunted the beaches, local parks as well as sports fields and schoolyards. I was pleasantly surprised with the non issues of EMI, except for
that one area by the bandshell. I suspect it was a underground high power line. As the bandshell is used to musical bands. And it was only in like a 10" radius.

I am not sure what EMI issues you might come across in your city but, so far have no problems here.

 

[jabbo]

My Edge doesn't have EMI problem except when within 30 - 50 feet of power lines.

 

[jmaryt]

thanks sven! i suspect the edge will be (e.m.i) free as well in my hunting environments too!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[jmaryt]

thanks for the info! apparently it's NOT an issue overall!

(h.h.!)
j.t.