saving battery power

[cousin jack]

Hi I am lost my old potosi handle by messing up new email address. No big deal! Can I save batteries by only running discrimination instead of the noisier all metal setting on my vaq ? I still use el cheepo radio shack headphones and all metal mode is well worth having but being retired disabled means being penney wise.

 

[sqwaby]

I have a vaq also and it goes though those expensive 9v batteries faster than I like. You might take a look at the rechargable batteries, get good quality(name brand) with the highest amp/hr rating. I've never tried them and some people will tell you the machine won't run as smooth on them as a alkaline battery. Maybe someone on the board will have some additional input on the subject.

 

[Adrian SS]

HI cousin jack<
Running in silent search discriminate mode will extend battery life a bit, not too sure by how much.
If you only detect for short periods at a time and infrequently then a good set of alkalines might be a good idea, If you detect often then get the max m/ah rated nickel metal hydride's that will fit in the battery holder, some of the high m/ah are a bit thicker than others and can be a tight fit in some battery holders.

If these are too expensive then get high qual alkalines. You will get more hours out of good alkalines than you will get from rechargeable's between charges.
Although rechargeable have an initial high cost plus the cost of the charger, I think in the long term they are the least expensive way to go.
Adrian SS

 

[vw242]

I have been tryig different rechargeables with my "V" and the only thing that hurts is the battery box is so
tight it ruins the negative or "female" side of the 9v. I had several that just collapsed. I am going to try filling
in the female with a "blank" to strengthen it. On the other hand, I have had good luck with rechargeables and
it may be that different brands have better quality connectors or being new, the "V" just needs to be broken in.

Don

 

[blowfly1967]

i have some success recharging aa alkaline batteries,they recharge two or three times before finally giving up , don' last long but,they work.could one recharge 9 volt alkaline batteries to extend their life.i'm thinking about it but,at this stage i don't have a charger to suit ,however i will rectify that problem shortly blowfly

 

[cousin jack]

Thank all for the replies. Now I remember hearing about battery compartment problems too.

 

[jhettel]

Why skimp on batteries? Go out and buy some good Duracell copper tops, they are highly rated alkaline batteries. Rechargeable batteries are a waste of money used with a Tesoro. They put out, and correct me if I am wrong, 1.2 volts rather than 1.5 volts. I was told by Tesoro not to use rechargeables for that reason. They don't have enough power for the machine. Figure it out. eight batteries at 1.5 volts is a total of 12 volts; eight batteries at 1.2 volts is 9.6 volts but I think the nicad will put out a bit more that 1.2 when fully charged, but still I want all the battery power I can get. My batteries last about 15 hours anyway. Gas and batteries, I don't care what they cost if I want to go out and detect for relics.