Excalibur 1000 Battery Question

[donjohn]

I'm the new guy on the block and have a question concerning Excalibur batteries. I just acquired a used Excalibur 1000. The condition of the NiCad battery is questionable due to having sat for about 3 years without use. I am considering purchasing a a battery holder and using AA batteries rather than the rechargeable battery. As I will not be diving the question of the battery not being completely waterproof is of no consequence.
Does anyone have information as to how the AA's lifespan compares with the rechargeable NiCad? Thanks in advance for the information.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

Instead of spending the $80+ dollars on the alkaline pack I would suggest purchasing the replacement rechargeable pack on Ebay. The sellers name is "toolbay" on Ebay and has the website onlybatteries.com The alkaline pack and the rechargeable pack have the exact same seal and neither is more of less waterproof. Minelab states that the alkaline pack is for shallow water use only as it requires the user to open and close the case which if done improperly may result in poor seal.

 

[biglry]

Instead of spending the $80+ dollars on the alkaline pack I would suggest purchasing the replacement rechargeable pack on Ebay. The sellers name is "toolbay" on Ebay and has the website onlybatteries.com The alkaline pack and the rechargeable pack have the exact same seal and neither is more of less waterproof. Minelab states that the alkaline pack is for shallow water use only as it requires the user to open and close the case which if done improperly may result in poor seal.

Yep, that is the way I have gone.
I converted all my Excal alkaline battery packs to the 1600mah NiMH battery pack sold by onlybatteries.com and when the factory sealed ones won't hold a charge I do the same thing. I also do recommend their peak detection charger , they will do a package deal that comes with a battery for the Excal and peak detection charger for under $60, free shipping if bought off Ebay, on Ebay look for item number 180800432691.

 

[tomcatpl]

and get the charger he sells ....fast charge and the LED will tell u when its done

 

[Jason in Enid]

The cost of disposable batteries will be huge if you hunt more than a couple times a year. Get the rechargables.

 

[Tin Fin]

Ditto Zofchak and Biglry - I replaced the aa pack with the same deal - charger is great too; thanks to the folks here for guiding me right! I don't regret the purchase at all. Also bought some extra batteries to replace the orignials if/when they go out.

 

[donjohn]

[size=large]My new 1600mah NiMH battery pack arrived in the mail today. I'm back in business.[/size]

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I did the same and love the new 1600mAh NiMH battery, I'm sure you will too.

 

[jkoaltrades]

i have a opportunity to purchase an older excal. it has an "AA" battery holder (pod?) it is cracked. is it do-able to use a excal 2 battery pod in tjis unit?

 

[John(Tx)]

Could not get the threshold to quiet down, acted like the batteries were low but they were new, tried another set, same thing, went with the rechargables, glad I did....HH

 

[Suncoast Kid]

jkoaltrades,

The Excals come with 2 battery pods when purchased ( 1 with a factory rechargeable battery, and 1 with an Alkaline battery holder). If one of the pods is cracked, it is no good for use in the water. See if the person selling it has the other pod, if not, you should get a discount equal to the cost of buying a new pod. An Excal II battery pod should fit the older Excal, just make sure that the 3-Prong connector on the Excal fits the newer Excal II pod.

John(Tx),

Wow, that's a new one to me that the Alk batteries don't work with your Excal, as you know they are supposed to. I personally have never tried Alks with mine so I don't know if it would be the same for me as well. I have the factory rechargeable in one pod, and the new 1600mAh NiMH rechargeable battery pack that I got off the Bay in the other. They work so well for me that I've never considered using Alks. The only thing I could think of is that the Alks will give you 12V, where as the Rechargeable will give you 13 to 14V, and the Excal's Threshold will blare out around 11V when the battery is depleted. I would use what works best. HH

 

[otlew]

i have a opportunity to purchase an older excal. it has an "AA" battery holder (pod?) it is cracked. is it do-able to use a excal 2 battery pod in tjis unit?

Where is the crack located in the pod?

I dropped one and cracked the flat end not the end cap connector. Sure enough it leaked.

I thought I would try silicone, but not the normal kind you buy at most stores. I bought flowable silicone for windshields at an autoparts store. Took out the end cap and battery then stood the pod on end flowed silicone on it until it was dripping off of the flat. Let it dry for a day, the cracked sealed and its been working fine now for almost a year. I WOULD NOT dive with it but wading has not been a problem.

If the crack is in the connector end cap or cylinder body this probably won't work.

 

[jkoaltrades]

Instead of spending the $80+ dollars on the alkaline pack I would suggest purchasing the replacement rechargeable pack on Ebay. The sellers name is "toolbay" on Ebay and has the website onlybatteries.com The alkaline pack and the rechargeable pack have the exact same seal and neither is more of less waterproof. Minelab states that the alkaline pack is for shallow water use only as it requires the user to open and close the case which if done improperly may result in poor seal.

Yep, that is the way I have gone.
I converted all my Excal alkaline battery packs to the 1600mah NiMH battery pack sold by onlybatteries.com and when the factory sealed ones won't hold a charge I do the same thing. I also do recommend their peak detection charger , they will do a package deal that comes with a battery for the Excal and peak detection charger for under $60, free shipping if bought off Ebay, on Ebay look for item number 180800432691.

\

if my battery holder (pod) is cracked, then not only would i have to buy the NiMH battery pack and charger, but the NiMH battery holer (pod) as well, right? on e bay these holders are about $165, the alkiline battery holder is $94. also will the NiMH battery fit in the alkaline battery holder (pod) or does it have to be inserted into a strictly NiMH battery holder (pod)? this detector is the older excalibur "sword" model with the horse-shoe style coil and the green headphones, i need the newer excal 2 holder/?

 

[jkoaltrades]

i have a opportunity to purchase an older excal. it has an "AA" battery holder (pod?) it is cracked. is it do-able to use a excal 2 battery pod in tjis unit?

Where is the crack located in the pod?

I dropped one and cracked the flat end not the end cap connector. Sure enough it leaked.

I thought I would try silicone, but not the normal kind you buy at most stores. I bought flowable silicone for windshields at an autoparts store. Took out the end cap and battery then stood the pod on end flowed silicone on it until it was dripping off of the flat. Let it dry for a day, the cracked sealed and its been working fine now for almost a year. I WOULD NOT dive with it but wading has not been a problem.

If the crack is in the connector end cap or cylinder body this probably won't work.

the battery holder is broken where the screws hold the end cap on and there's a crack that runs a little more than half the length of the holder