e-trac factory battery

[jas415]

I have had the machine (second one actually because the 'backlight' function did not work on the first one) for about 6 weeks now, used it for about 40-50 hours total. The new factory battery charger and pack only lasts about an hour and it seems to never get fully charged. Just shows 3 bars and never a full charge on the machine.

When I got the machine, I charged the new battery for about 18 hours and the little red light was still on when I took it off the charger. When I put that pack into the machine it read 3 bars. Battery lasted about an hour. Charged it again and this time I left it on for about 24 hours, still the red light was on. Today, I again thought I had it fully charged after about 20 hours on the charger. Put it in and it read 3 bars and lasted about an hour. I have charged it about 6 times now and the red light on the charger never ever goes off and the battery never lasts more than an hour or so.

Duracell Alkalines last about 6-8 hours of use. Energizer 2450 mah, nickel metal hydride types, lasted about 1.0 hours today. The energizers all tested about 1.53 volts when fully charged. I just turn on the machine, noise cancel it and start on the factory coin setting. No backlight on or anything else that I am aware of. I am using the factory coil and the 6" Excelerator one from Kellyco. I have not really tried to isolate the coils as to hours of use but will. I know I got about 6-8 hours on a set of duracell alkalines on the small coil and today I used a new set of Energizers for less than an hour and they went dead, then switched to the factory battery pack, which showed 3 bars and after about 30 minutes it showed 2 bars. I suppose the small coil could be the issue and so I will switch back to the factory coil and run a couple of sets of batteries through there to see if there is a difference.

1. Does the red light on the charger stay illuminated all the time while charging, no matter what the charge level or does it turn green (or pink - whatever) when fully charged????
2. What batteries do you use and what charger?
3. How many hours of use do you get out of the batteries (what type) you use?
4. Do you notice a significant difference between the factory coil and a smaller coil as to battery life?

Swapping batteries after an hour of use is getting a bit frustrating and I would appreciate some information on what I need to do to get at least 6-8 hours, or more, out of a charge on the factory battery.

Thanks

 

[Bell-Two]

The light on the charger always stays red, you go by time to determine the charge. I have only used the akaline battery pack once and that was only because I couldn't wait for the battery pack to charge up...just too anxious! I have two minelab rechargeable packs alternating them. Why you are getting only three bars after charging so long I can't explain. Do you know someone else who has an E-Trac? If so maybe you could try their fully charged pack in your machine to see if it is the battery pack or something in your machine. You should get more life from your duracells than that. If you were running the backlight I could understand that but you said you were not. Coil size should have no bearing on battery life. Keep us informed.

 

[hershey1]

I agree with Bell-Two you should get a lot more time out of those Duracells. As for your battery pack take it back to your dealer they should give you another and send that one back. If you did'nt get your machine from a dealer call Minelab customer care 1-888-949-6522 and they will advise you what to do. I have'nt done a time check on my rechargeable or the alkaline pack because I have not had a problem. Give Minelab a call and keep us posted. Hope it is just something minor. HH

 

[hydrodog]

I have had my E Trac for a little over a week< I started out using the aa battery pack with 2000 Mah Nimh batteries and it worked fine. After charging the minelab pack for the recommended time I inserted it and got three bars. So I took it out and did a rapid discharge on it with an 1157 lamp and recharged it for 18 hrs now it seems to have taken a full charge. My guess is that the factory recharge packs are sitting around a long time and self discharging. I'll follow up on the performance of the rechargeable pack .

 

[Bell-Two]

If you full charge a pack and let it sit either in or out of the machine for a long time it will draw down at least that is my experience. That is why I alternate them so I charge the one I have been using and put the "fresh" one in.

 

[Delta Digger]

I use sanyo 2000 mah rechargeable batteries. I use a mah smart charger and get around 15 Hrs of detecting. With the stock minelab pack I get around 9 Hrs.

 

[OCDfinder]

I think the manual warns alkaline batteries only?

 

[Delta Digger]

Rechargables work just fine. Minelab has a video about using rechargables.

 

[Bell-Two]

Rechargables work just fine. Minelab has a video about using rechargables.

I saw the video about using rechargeable aa rechargeable which operate at a lower voltage...is there another video about using other types of rechargeables? If so can you post a link?

Thanks!

 

[Delta Digger]

Tony that's all I could find on it. I've been using sanyos for about a month now with no problems. This is the best battery that I've ever used.

 

[johnno 481]

Try Sanyo Eneloop batteries , I believe they are the best rechargeable batteries available.

 

[jas415]

Okay, after another full charge I used the factory pack for about 6 hours total now and it shows 2 bars and is a bit chirpy. After being on the factory charger for 20 hours, inserted it and it showed 4 bars. About 30 min later it was 2 bars, and after two hours more it showed 2 bars. Went home, and back to hunting two days later and it showed 3 bars for a few min, then 2 bars.

After reading a lot about the factory pack I suppose this is pretty usual for it. I think the same issue is with the nimh 2450 Energyzers. I guess I have to charge and discharge them a few times to get them to gather a head of steam. The energyzers charge to 1.53-57 V. so a fully charged pack will be about 12.2 V. I will test the voltage of a fully charged factory pack tomorrow.

 

[The Nutty Teacher]

Hello Folks,

On page 15 of the manual, the two warnings that I can find are that lithium ion batteries carry too much voltage
which can damage the circuitry of the E-Trac. The other warning is about over sized AA cells that may not fit
well in the battery compartment.

It says that rechargeable alkaline, NiMH, and NiCad batteries may be used, but they must be charged in a separate charger.
I don't know why anyone would still be using NiCads though.

I've been using rechargeable Energizer, standard Energizer and Duracell brands. I'll have to give the Sanyo
batteries a try.

Thanks for the tip.

Respectfully,

The Nutty Teacher

 

[stasys]

in original Etrac battery is the same rechargeable batteries like you can buy in shop 1,2V .in explorers pack was NiCa can be the same in Etrac. buy any good rechargeable-any-can be lion and use it in your pack with better result.

 

[The Nutty Teacher]

Hello stasys,

Your comment suggesting the inclusion of rechargeable lion batteries is a contradiction of
the warning in the first paragraph in the shaded portion, at the bottom of page #15 in the
E-Trac instruction manual.

The manual states that the voltage from rechargeable lithium ion batteries is too high, causing
detector damage, voiding the warranty, and may keep the detector from starting.

If you've had positive experiences with rechargeable lithium ion batteries, they may be OK with you,
but I'm not willing to risk any or all of the possible results listed in the manual.

Respectfully,

The Nutty Teacher