Excal Alkaline battery pack question

[John(Tx)]

I decided to use my alkaline battery pack on my Excal today and it didn't run as stable as when I use the rechargable pack. I also had to back off on the threshold to get a low audible tone, running the threshold like I do with the rechargable pack would make the machine blare up. Anyone have this problem? Maybe it's just a characteristic of the alkalines? Thanks, HH

 

[Critterhunter]

I'd suspect you've got a weak cell or intermittent connection break that keeps fluctuating the voltage to the machine.

 

[goodmore]

I got one of those after market battery packs that fits inside the alkaline housing. 39.00 plus shipping. I am more than pleased with it.

Maybe you are more organized than me, but I have a hard time keeping track of hours on batteries.

I never like to go to the ocean (2.5 hrs) with out some back up power. Fearing that I have too many hrs on the Alkalines I trade them out. Now I have a pile of half dead AA's. I swear to the wife I will use them up in flashlights or remotes. She moves them. Now I have no idea which is which. You get the idea.

Well I swapped them out for the pack and I have no more worries. I even bought an inverter to use the house charger in my car.

 

[Critterhunter]

Use a volt meter to match those batteries to others with similar voltage readings. I still would only use them in a remote or something, though.

 

[John(Tx)]

may I ask where you got yours? Thanks, John

 

[John(Tx)]

The machine runs great with the rechargables it came with. HH John

 

[goodmore]

only battery packs . com

Put it all together. Once there do a search for Excalibur

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[John(Tx)]

I checked the batteries and they range from 1.48v to 1.49+v. They average to 1.491v. Wonder if that's too low? Wiring looks ok. Thanks, HH

 

[Critterhunter]

That's not too low but check the total pack voltage since it's wired in series. That'll give you a better idea. By measuring the voltage of the cells in the holder via the connector you'll also see if there is anything going on which might be delivering less voltage. 1.2V per cell for nimhs/nicads or 1.5V for regular batteries, but they can be a bit lower than that depending on how discharged they are. Add up the number of batteries X the above number for the type they are and then see what your voltage reads. I think the Sovereign/Excals need about 10.5V minimum for the voltage regulator to work. I know at least my GT low battery alarm kicks in right around there but am not sure if those Excals have some different setup. My guess is either an intermittent connection or oxide build up on the battery contacts or plug. Clean them with an eraser and then rubbing alcohol. Something like this can cause an "in and out" type of voltage drop/rise and do funky things to a detector. Even oxide or dirt on the contacts can cause the resistance to rise enough to where the device doesn't see full source voltage.

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[jenkiel]

I am testing all new batt before use in the Safari and Excal. Had prob once,one bad batt in the Safari

 

[Birdseed]

Jenkiel

What was the problem you had with the Safari

Peter

 

[John(Tx)]

I guess I could use my excal battery charger to charge the batts while in the pod? That would be great.....Thanks, John