battery life

[rjfjedi]

What is max battery life you guys are getting out of your systems and what settings are you using? Having just one battery might not be enough. Also how often are you guys charging them?

HH
Rocco

 

[fsdigital12]

Book says 13 hours of detecting. Might be a little less then that in real world use.

I charge mine every few days and overnight when I know it's running low. Haven't killed it yet.

 

[rjfjedi]

Sounds good, that seems like it is ideal usage. I wonder if some of those are having below normal battery life. And if Minelab would honor the warrenty to exchange for a longer lasting battery?

 

[dadzjunk]

Rocco, Bart told me that he pulls his out and puts it in the charger after each hunt, so that is what I intend to do until told different.
Sounds like you are off to a good start and having much better luck that I have had so far, but I think that I am going to love this thing once I am able to remember the appropriate TDI's. So far I am only digging junk tab tops, nails and a few newer clad coins.
Ken

 

[rjfjedi]

I am going to take that advice dadzjunk, and charge after every hunt just to make sure I have a strong battery. I have only had about an hour and half on it so far, would be on it right now if I wasnt away for the weekend. I am pretty sure your going to hit some nice items soon enough. The TDI's is what I need to remember also, so many different numbers for so many different targets. Was a lot easier on the Ace. Good luck on your detecting.

HH
Rocco

 

[dadzjunk]

Rocco,
Just to be safe in the field, I also loaded up the extra battery pack with 8 AA batteries and it will also be ready just in case. I used that spare battery pack to play with the detector when I first got it and the rechargeable pack was being charged for the first time. I hunted for about 4 hours today and you could not tell that the battery had gone down any, but I put it on the charger when I got back just to be safe for the next trip out.
Ken

 

[rjfjedi]

Great info Ken, thanks. I dont have the extra battery pack so I will make sure it is charged. Having used it for 4 hours and didnt make a dent in the battery charge makes me feel pretty confident that it will last for as long as I will need. I think my next purchase will have to be that extra pack to have as a back up.

HH
Rocco

 

[Jim Robertson]

I was at the beach for the past ten days . I hunted each day for 4 to 5 hours and would hunt two days before I recharged the battery. I never say it get below 60% . I was using the 17 inch coil the entire time. Great battery life compared to other machines.

 

[dadzjunk]

Jim,
What beach did you go to and how did you do? Did the battery on the Wireless hold up as well or did you use it?

 

[Erik in NJ]

The machine comes with one rechargeable pack and one that takes AA batteries.

Is your dealer removing accessories from the package??

 

[Digger]

The machine comes with one rechargeable pack and one that takes AA batteries.

Is your dealer removing accessories from the package??

The difference depends on whether you bought the Starter Pack or the Standard Pack.

[attachment 241575 ctxpackcomparison.jpg]

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Rocco are you using the GPS feature? It reduces hunt time. The smart charger and battery last at least 10 hrs on a full 2 hr charge. I put mine on charge after every hunt. It wont hurt to put it on charge and let it set there until you use it again.

Holler if you have any questions!

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

The machine comes with one rechargeable pack and one that takes AA batteries.

Is your dealer removing accessories from the package??

The difference depends on whether you bought the Starter Pack or the Standard Pack.

[attachment 241575 ctxpackcomparison.jpg]

Thanks Digger for clearing that up! Rocco got the starter pack.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks for the clarification...I'm surprised that they would not include the AA pack too as all the Explorers came with both battery packs. I'm sure Minelab only pays about $5 - $10 to have the AA pack made. I got the Standard Pack so assumed it was same. The wireless is the best feature of the new machine. Now if ML would only add a wireless X-1 clone we'd be set. Tell you what, despite all it's flaws, the X-1 is so much better than the best probes out there. ML could make a really good one and it is sorely needed!!

 

[rjfjedi]

Yes I am using the gos feature. I have only been out twice since I got it, because I went away this weekend to a convention and didnt get to use. But using the gps feature is pretty sweet though, I used it to create a findpoint when I got the barber dime. Great feature. After using it tonight for 2 hours I noticed the battery was down to 3/4 charged. I used it for about 1.5 hrs Friday and it sat till tonight not being used. So it is pretty good so far on battery usage. I have it plugged in for tomorrow mornings hunt. So I will be able to get out there and find some more great finds.

HH
Rocco

 

[grouser]

remember to cover the control head while your batt is on the charger,,,,, don't let the seal get full of dirt while sitting exposed

 

[fsdigital12]

$50 for a AA battery holder is simply ridiculous.

Whites battery holders are $20.

I guess you could argue the fact that it's "waterproof" adds to the cost, but still $50! Come on Minelab.

 

[dadzjunk]

grouser, that is real good advise regarding covering of the control head while charging the battery. I will have to start doing that in the future. Thanks

 

[jtalley007]

I have the standard pack so I have a backup but have never used it.

From what I remember they said you should be able to run everything and still get 13 hours out of it.

If you keep a full charge then you will never outlast it but I would have a spare standard pack with alkalines or rehchargables in case you have a battery failure at some point.

JMHO

Jerry