Rechargeables and the Tejon

[LittleJohn]

Do any of you Tejon users run your machine on rechargeable batteries, and if so how is your performance?

I am trying them in mine right now, and with freshly charged batteries, I am getting 4 beeps on the battery condition when I power the unit on.

I did some air testing and everything seems to be fine as far as performance.

I'd like to hear from anyone that uses the rechargeables or has tried them and your expierences with them.

Thanks

LittleJohn

 

[jmaryt]

rechargeables will initially emit a "lower voltage " when fresh,however the voltage regulators in the detectors "adjust"
for this...the main concern is that they will dis charge "suddenly" whereas a set of alkalines will "hold" the voltage longer and more gradually discharge,hence
the longer useful time frame before discharged completely.

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[LittleJohn]

I have thought about the "suddenly lose power" scenario, and I will be carrying a second set of charged batteries with me when I go out. I guess my biggest concern was whether the approximately 9.6 volts supplied would run the machine at the same capacity as the regular alkalines which initially provide 12V but then continually drop off. In the big scheme of things 2.4 volts isn't a whole lot, the mAh are probably more critical as far as supplying the juice on a DC circuit.....or at least that is my best guess.

 

[Monkeywrangler22]

LJ, are your rechargeables old? Are they NiMh or Nicad? I suggest getting some fresh NiMh rechargeables (no memory issues). Try http://www.batteryjunction.com/ for good ones. I have the Tenergy version 9v in my Cib and it fires up with MORE beeps at startup when fresh off the charger, than a new alkaline, and lasts longer. NiMh batteries have a very good discharge curve--far superior to alkalines, at least in flashlight usage, as evidenced by the copious discharge curve tables on CPF.

Another point of problem with your Tejon since it requires more batteries to make voltage, if you use old batteries, they will likely discharge at unequal rates, leading to one or more cells which discharge too soon, leaving the others relatively charged, but unable to run the Tejon. Fresh batteries are your friends!

 

[LittleJohn]

I currently have two brand new sets of NiMH batteries for my Tejon. I haven't had the chance to hunt with them yet, because mother nature has not been cooperating lately and we have been getting soaked for the past few days.

I have one set that is 2500 mAh and one set that is 2900 mAh. I have fooled with both sets, and the 2500 set gives me 4 beeps on startup and the 2900 set gives me 5 beeps.....both when fully charged. I am looking into a charger which uses microprocessor technology to "top off" the batteries to 100% of their available capacity, as most chargers take them to 85% and leave that 15% in limbo, thus not utilizing the available capacity of the cell.

Hopefully in the long run, that will make a difference. I have also considered building a setup where I can run 10 of the 1.2V batteries, which would net out the 12 volts, and life would be grand....but I have't made that step yet.

LittleJohn

 

[Monkeywrangler22]

I dunno--other than self discharge of NiMhs over time, but you said this was fresh off the charger...
DH runs his Xterra on 4 1.2v NiMhs with no problem, and I run the Cib on the 9v (8.4 really) and I get 8+ beeps on startup on a fresh battery--enough so I lose count sometimes!

If you batteries are REALLY new, and you have only charged them 1-2x, then that may be part of the problem. It typically takes new NiMh's a few cycles to begin to take a full charge.

Be sure to get a smart charger that will discharge the batteries first if you push a button, so you can condition them properly. I find it a very helpful feature for use on my older batteries. I use a Titanium/Vanson BC2-HU.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/v1ec-bc2hu.html

It is a good charger, and loads $$ less than a Maha.

 

[telerobotics]

Most metal detectors have a voltage regulator circuit built in. That is the reason you can run Alki. 1.5v or Rechargables 1.2v. The detector is designed to run at a voltage less than 12v. The voltage regulator will stabilize voltage over a battery voltage range. Every detector manufacture uses a voltage MIN. Alot of detectors run down to 8v before it affects performance some even less. I have seen them run fine to 6v. Cheaper detectors have no voltage regulation. So battery voltage will effect those sooner. You should not see any performance issures with rechargeables only run time. Some manufacturers may not want rechargeables because of run time issures. cheaper batterys 1200ah to better batterys 2900ah in AA size. Plus cheap chargers out there.

 

[jmaryt]

85% of useable capacity when fully charged?..i wasn't aware of this!..really!
how do you know this to a certainty?..when i charge my nimhs,i test them and they are all at full charge!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[LittleJohn]

How are you measuring the mAh? voltage and amperage are two very different measurements. Tou can be charged up to a certain voltage, lets say 12 volts....and still not have the battery amperage up to full capacity.

 

[jmaryt]

i only have a voltage tester,and the nimh's are 2900 mah!..i dont have a tester that measures amperage,so an assumption was made based on the voltage measured when fully charged!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[LittleJohn]

I am basing my information on testing that was done which was able to measure not only voltage and amperage, but charge rate and discharge rate. I understand what you are saying, but if you will humor me for a moment here, it is very similar to your cars battery.....it can read 12 volts.....yet not have enough amperage to turn the starter....same situation with these batteries we are talking about....they can read 1.2 volts on a multimeter, however their ability to work....the amperage....must be at a certain point before it is able to do the work. The date that this test provided stated that most....not all...but most NiMh battery chargers on the market today, will only take these batteries to about 85% of their mAh, as a safety net to not overload them. 99% of folks wont know the difference, and they will work good enough for them to not be concerned with the performance.....However I am afraid I am part of the 1% that would like to see the full capacity of the battery realized and put to use. I hope this all makes sense. Have a great Day!

LittleJohn

 

[jmaryt]

one would surmise that if only 85% of amperage is available at full charge,then this will bode well for longevity purposes.
your batteries could ultimately last longer,always a good thing,and possibly a money saver over time..

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[LittleJohn]

I am afraid I don't agree, as when it comes to technical spec's and capabilities, facts produce results, opinions are just that....opinions.

 

[mattw]

I also am anal about filling them up. I have found the best charger is the uprocessor controlled 4 channel Maha. http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-mhc9000-advanced-battery-chargerbrfree-deluxe-storage-case-included-p-405.html?SP_id=&osCsid=a98rm8a91donrsllit8gi3gna7 I charges, discharges, cycles and conditions 1 to 4 cells at about any rate you want it to.

Good stuff.

Some of my NiMH batteries have been charged in excess of 100 times and still work well.

Matt

 

[jmaryt]

i NEVER stated that it was factual!,as i do NOT know,however it seems logical that based upon YOUR 85%
amperage charge ,that it MAY be possible to achieve better durability,as a result of your amperage observation.

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[LittleJohn]

i NEVER stated that it was factual!,as i do NOT know,however it seems logical that based upon YOUR 85%
amperage charge ,that it MAY be possible to achieve better durability,as a result of your amperage observation.

(h.h!)
j.t.

Relax and please accept my apologies if you are getting a little...tense.

Here is what I have concluded from researching the topic.

A battery has a capable capacity of 100%

Most "common" or "store brand" chargers are of basic circuitry to allow them to bring NiMh batteries to approximately 85% of their capacity, some with timers, V caps, or a combination of the two.

Chargers are also available which have a more "intelligent" circuitry, which allows the battery to be discharged, charged, conditioned, as well as analyzed.

The "smart" chargers will take the batteries to their full capacity. That is what I would like to do with my batteries. I don't fill my gas tank up 85% of the way, I expect more than 85% of my paycheck, and I intend to get the full usage capacity of the rechargeables as well...100%

This has been and continues to be a great learning experience for me. I appreciate all the help and comments. Have a great Friday!!!

LittleJohn

 

[desimundo]

How about the other direction. I have found some 2500mah Nickel-Zinc rechargeable AAs that run at 1.6 volts. I have read reviews that say this can fry LED Maglite. Is the Tesoro circuitry robust enough to handle the slightly higher voltage?

http://www.amazon.com/Powergenix-5-Hour-Charger-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B002WLP69U/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[LittleJohn]

Talked to Tesoro on the phone just a minute ago and he said it would be fine to run the Tejon on the NiZn AA rechargeables. The regular alkalines they send the new units out with are at 13.6-13.7 volts, so he said 14.4v would not be an issue. Also asked if there was a circuit in the Tejon which would rehulate the voltage...and he said yes, and that it would work fine.

So Now I am wondering what to do with 2 complete new sets of NiMh batteries....because the NiZn's are already on order and on the way.

LittleJohn

 

[jmaryt]

yeah!,,no sweat!..in any event,.,i consider them to be an excellent value IF one utilizes the equipment
ALL the time!..it is possible to save some serious scratch!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[LittleJohn]