Rechargeables in Tejon

[upnorth]

Can you use rechargable batteries in the Tesoro Tejon?, yes or no. I can't seem to get a straight answer anywhere. Thanks.

 

[upnorth]

Well I guess that I'll find out on my own. I just picked up 16 AA 2650 mAh Duracells for the Tejon that I just ordered. This is my first Tesoro.

 

[tvr]

I have not used them, but I would think they would be OK. From a couple of other reports I've read, fully charged, you only get 3 or 4 beeps on the battery test rather than the 6 or 7 beeps you get with new alkalines. Since it still runs well until you are down to one beep, I'd think you should do OK with rechargeables.

Let us know how they work for you.
tvr

 

[BarberBill]

To the best of my knowledge, you can use rechargeable batteries with no problem other than when they die, they go very quickly. The Voltage is less than Alkalines, but above the minimum for operation with a very flat discharge rate until their sudden death (so to speak).
HH
BB

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I've used Duracell 2650 mah from Walmart for years. They work great. I get about 10 hours out of them per charge.

 

[jhettel]

My batteries last a long time. I usually use Duracell, but have even used the cheap ones you get at Dollar General. I can hunt at least 14 hours before I change batteries and always change at around three beeps. I then use the batteries in my gps or my mouse sitting right here beside me. When I start my Tejon I get seven good strong beeps and that is what I want.

Rechargables only get 1.2 volts per cell. So you are starting out losing .3 volts for each battery. That detector is made to run on twelve volts, you are going to get less than 10 volts using rechargables. Go to Wikipedia and they will explain it all to you, I just did just to make sure I was right on the voltage. I was also told by Rusty at Tesoro not to use those batteries and he is the head technician.

If I were you I would take your rechargable batteries back and get some good Duracell batteries, they will last much longer, if you want to use cheap Dollar General batteries that is fine, I just would not use any battery that is going to give me 9.6 volts to start with when my detector is made to run on 12 volts.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

With all due respect to you and Rusty Henry, I've used a Tejon for years and have air and test garden tested it with both top of the line Energeizers and rechargeable Duracells and see no difference in performance. Vince Gifford told me it was fine to use rechargeables in it, but the operating time would be diminished. That's true. But I still get 10 hours starting at 4-5 beeps. But when the batteries get to 2 beeps, which takes close to 10 hours, they're gone. And while the batteries make up a total of 12 volts, the Tejon is not using 12 volts to operate. Take a battery out of the machine after you're down to 4 beeps and check the voltage. It'll be between 1 and 1.2 volts. But performance is not diminished. So obviously it's not using 12 volts to operate. I've used these same Duracells for 4 years, and have probably recharged them over 100 times. And I've made some great finds for my initial $30 investment.

 

[jhettel]

You are right on the voltage. I know that the detector has twelve volts available but only uses a portion of the total voltage. I would imagine that by the time the detector is down to three beeps the batteries are down to about eight volts and the detector probably works on six volts, actually have no idea. You do make a valid point. If the detector required twelve volts then as soon as you used it a few minutes and the batteries fell below twelve volts it would be dead.

 

[BarberBill]

Don't know what the Tejon runs at, but Whites MXT etc. run at 8 volts or thereabouts. 8X1.2 = 9.6 which, with the flat discharge rate of rechargeables, makes them usable.
BB

 

[upnorth]

With all due respect to you and Rusty Henry, I've used a Tejon for years and have air and test garden tested it with both top of the line Energeizers and rechargeable Duracells and see no difference in performance. Vince Gifford told me it was fine to use rechargeables in it, but the operating time would be diminished. That's true. But I still get 10 hours starting at 4-5 beeps. But when the batteries get to 2 beeps, which takes close to 10 hours, they're gone. And while the batteries make up a total of 12 volts, the Tejon is not using 12 volts to operate. Take a battery out of the machine after you're down to 4 beeps and check the voltage. It'll be between 1 and 1.2 volts. But performance is not diminished. So obviously it's not using 12 volts to operate. I've used these same Duracells for 4 years, and have probably recharged them over 100 times. And I've made some great finds for my initial $30 investment.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all comments/experiences. My main concern was whether or not I would damage the machine with the rechargables. I had bought 16 new 2650 mAh's while waiting for the Tejons arrival. Then it got here and I read in the manual that it's 1.5 v only. I just felt that I humped myself because I already had a pile of 2100 mAh duracells. And I don't really need close to 30 of them for my 4 battery ACE and dig. camera. So, primarily it was concern about damaging the Tejon. If others are using the high mAh duracell rechargables without damage, that's cool. I have no problem with 10 hour discharge as I will always have a spare set fully charged. Actually, I will likely use 1.5's primarily unless caught in between. I learned that one the hard way in my first detecting season. Man is it ever ugly to be far from town, about fifteen minutes into a session and see/hear that fade. Then realise that in the rush to go you didn't bring extra batteries!, lol! I laugh now but the language was strong, brief and blue that morning. I also considered battery drainage while waiting for the machines arrival. You simply aren't going to have full voltage after drain anyway. I've read that discussion on different sites several times. So it boils down to this, I will primarily use 1.5 V toss aways, but I'm happy to have a big whack of rechargeable back ups. Even at four - five start up beeps, I should have more capability than the ACE 250, it's a Tejon !

 

[Tfor2]

I've used them in my Tejon(s) for years. Just get the highest mah rating you can find.

I use rechargeables in my detectors, cameras, etc., they're the only way to go for everything except fire alarms.

They're better than alkalines because rechargeables maintain a constant voltage until they suddenly go dead. It's true that AA batteries only deliver 1.2 volts but in total this is plenty for the Tejon.

 

[upnorth]

Thanks Tfor2. It's good to hear from another long term user, that this set up works fine.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

You could possibly damage the Tejon with some of the new batteries that put out more than 1.5 volts, but no rechargeable AA comes close to 1.5 volts. Less voltage certainly will do no damage. No more than a dead battery would.