I finally pulled my rechareables out and charged them...

[Uncle Willy]

I had one bar left on the battery indicator and it would probably have operated for another several hours. AS it was I got over 35 hours on the first charge so guess they are keepers. Will run it dry the next time to see just how long they will last.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

n/t

 

[Dirt NC]

What brand of rechargeable batteries do you use Bill? I have found that my 1350 gets great mileage on a pack of duracell dry cells. I was thinking of trying some nickel metal hydrides. Another long time Garrett user told me to change batteries when the meter hits one bar. He didn't think that it was as sensitive with only one bar. What is your experience on this. Or anyone elses for that matter.

 

[DavHut]

[size=small]...that is the question. I change batteries in my 1350 when they reach 1-2 bars. I've never allowed them to get so low that the detector goes screwy, so I dont know how long that is. I read a VERY long thread on this on another Garrett forum and these are the things I gleaned from it.

"... As I make it:
1. Alkalines hold a full 1.5 volts over their useful life, although they degrade to about the voltage level of rechargeables over time. At these voltages, the detector works like it was designed - for some this seems to constitute "erratic behavior." For them, I suggest a reduction in SENS(gasp!)

2. NiCad and NiMH only attain 1.2-1.3 volts, no matter the charge level. Detectors are designed around 1.5v cells, so you can see where that logic takes you...

3. Alkies are cheap enough.

4. Rechargeables are expensive to initially purchase.

5. Rechargeables last for maybe 1000's of charges.

6. They die instantaneously, with no warning.

7. Alkalines slowly discharge, allowing ample warning.

8. They both SHOULD last longer than a week on the shelf at charge. If they don't, something is wrong with them.

9. You need to ensure you have:
a. An auto shut-off charger, or
b. A timer shut off, or
c. The ability to unhook them when they've been refreshed.

Once rechargeables have attained peak charge, it is bad for them to remain "on-charge."

10. "Intelligent" auto shut-off chargers are costly, timers are about $5-10 and staying home or remembering to unplug your charger may be impractical.

11. You need a backup battery pack to put on charge while youre out detecting, or should other mishaps occur.

12. You ought to have alkaline backups, too

13. Me, I like the idea of rechargeables - but they WILL NOT simplify your life. You must learn to work within the confines of their technology.

14. Once purchased, their cost is amortized over the life of the detector - unless something goes wrong and you have to buy more, etc.

15. Alkalines are drop in and go, albeit at an overhead cost which must be included for the life of your detector.

Me, I buy alkies at discount, usually at about $.20/cell (Where I work I also get them for free in 4-packs, but that's just my good fortune). I replace them about every 90 days, since I am not a heavy user. Thats 4 changes a year @$6.40/annum. This works for me.

A good charger and battery set of 16 cells (one set in, one set on "refresh") is $30 on up, so Im alright with alkies. Besides, as long Im using my detector, battery money comes to me as "found money," so in theory, I never need to buy more than the first set.

My Tesoro uMax units and Vaquero use only one 9V cell (also free), so I dont even care about them!

If you are a heavy user, frugally minded or just have to have more gadgetry, or some combination thereof - then look into rechargeables. Otherwise I wouldn't sweat it and go ahead with the alkalines.

Did I miss anything important?"[/size]

 

[Dirt NC]

I guess that I will stay with alkies. As I said before, the 1350 gets great mileage with alkies. My other machine, an older minelab sov. xs-2 pro has nicads. They work great, but only if you charge them the night before you want to hunt. Seems like I always forget and have to put the dry pack in it anyway. I buy AA's at home depot where I can get a bulk pack at a better price. I suppose the KISS rule comes into play here. I probably have enough gadgets ie: 2 detectors, gps, gwrs radios, pin pointer, cell phone and the list goes on. Heck, I'm lucky if I don't lose anything while I'm out hunting. LOL

 

[DavHut]

Heck, I'm lucky if I don't lose anything while I'm out hunting. LOL

Aint it the truth! Simple is better, although at the first glance at my "possibles bag," one wouldnt think I believed that. Each thing is there due to a a hard-learned lesson, though.

Bill has said this before an Ive found it to be true: shop around and keep your eyes open and you can find some amazing battery deals. I have seen private label alkies for $.11/cell. At bulk/bargain prices, Im not sure it is worth the hassle of rechargeables. And youre right, the 1350 and others get good mileage out of their cells.

Ths choice, as always, reminad a personal one. Aint this a great country??

 

[NM5K]

I like having the full voltage. IE: 1.5 volts per cell.
When used in the ace 250, this is 6 volts vs 4.8 volts
for the rechargables. I've never really tested to compare
the performance, but being I can tell the difference
between brand new alki's, vs half discharged alki's,
I think there is probably a difference. I change mine
pretty often. Once I drop one bar, I'll use it a good
bit more, but I usually swap new ones in before it drops
two bars. I get them cheap at a dollar store so it's no
big deal as far as cost. Some brands I get 4 for a buck.
Some brands like the "eveready gold" I get two for a buck.
Those eveready golds seem to work pretty well in the 250.
But I've tried quite a few brands. Most all do ok.
My pinpointer uses the 9v cells, and I get them at the
dollar store also, two for a buck. As an extra note, I
also got my "LED headlights" at the dollar store. They
are LED lamps with clip on ends. They are even yellow
to match the ace 250.. They clip on my armband and
light up my display, and also the ground below me. I use
two side by side if I want it bright. They run off those
little lithium cells like you use in watches.
MK

 

[Uncle Willy]

I use the batteries that came with the charger - Uniross. I noticed when it got to one bar it was a little flaky. Was going to run it dry but thought better of it. This is my first time using rechargeables. So far they have worked fine and last a long time.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

This is my first time using rechareables in 43 years of detecting. THe charger and four batteries were only $9.95 so I thought I'd give them a whirl. I get alkalines cheap at Costco or Harbor Freight.

Bill

 

[DavHut]

...Hey Bill and others, just a note. I have one of those $10 bundle deals, too, which I use for my digicam. Dont allow the batteries to sit on the charger, as I damaged one set already after I forgot about them. It can seriously degrade them.

I now use a $5 dial-type timer when I recharge them.

Just a little beer for thought, that's all.

(I changed to old "food for thought" adage to this version. The Germans refer the beer as "liquid bread" and bread is the "Staff of Life," ergo it stands to reason that my version is a good replacement.)

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah I need to get my timer out as my charger doesn't have and automatic shut off. AS Absent minded as I am I'll leave them charging for a week.

Bill