DaveC wrote:
I want to keep some NiMH rechargeable 9v batteries in my tool bag (well, my
meter bag, actually). I am currently running a double loop of electrical tape
around the entire battery to insulate the terminals.

I'd like to use something more durable (one battery has had a terminal peek
through the tape) and was thinking about something like a battery terminal
connector but made of insulating material like nylon (probably of some
cheaper plastic).

Does such a thing exist? I did web searches, but maybe my terminology isn't
spot-on...

Ideas?

Thanks,

As Michael pointed out, the same caps that Duracells ship with are
available in aftermarket. Personally, I just use a piece of gaffers
(duct) tape, line the cells up--terminals down, adhesive side up--then
fold the tape down over the sides. That's enough to keep them from
shorting together. Put in a drawer or box, they won't short to anything
else.

YMMV...the goo from the tape is sometimes an issue.

jak

On Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:38:29 -0600, the renowned jakdedert
wrote:

DaveC wrote:
I want to keep some NiMH rechargeable 9v batteries in my tool bag (well, my
meter bag, actually). I am currently running a double loop of electrical tape
around the entire battery to insulate the terminals.

I'd like to use something more durable (one battery has had a terminal peek
through the tape) and was thinking about something like a battery terminal
connector but made of insulating material like nylon (probably of some
cheaper plastic).

Does such a thing exist? I did web searches, but maybe my terminology isn't
spot-on...

Ideas?

Thanks,

As Michael pointed out, the same caps that Duracells ship with are
available in aftermarket. Personally, I just use a piece of gaffers
(duct) tape, line the cells up--terminals down, adhesive side up--then
fold the tape down over the sides. That's enough to keep them from
shorting together. Put in a drawer or box, they won't short to anything
else.

YMMV...the goo from the tape is sometimes an issue.

jak

Now if it's AA/AAA/CR123 cells you want to protect, there are nice
little soft plastic snap boxes available that work fine. Dealextreme
sells a set of 3 4-cell AA boxes for $2.50. Pricey for a few bits of
plastic, but that includes worldwide shipping. I use them for NiMH AA
cells. You often get them for free when you buy a set of 4 cells.

Just out of curiosity, what are you using that requires a 9V
rechargable battery? Something special? Most occasional-use meters and
such like are better off with a 9V primary cell because of the low
self discharge rate of primary cells compared to NiMH.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
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Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:38:29 -0600, the renowned jakdedert
wrote:

DaveC wrote:
I want to keep some NiMH rechargeable 9v batteries in my tool bag (well, my
meter bag, actually). I am currently running a double loop of electrical tape
around the entire battery to insulate the terminals.

I'd like to use something more durable (one battery has had a terminal peek
through the tape) and was thinking about something like a battery terminal
connector but made of insulating material like nylon (probably of some
cheaper plastic).

Does such a thing exist? I did web searches, but maybe my terminology isn't
spot-on...

Ideas?

Thanks,
As Michael pointed out, the same caps that Duracells ship with are
available in aftermarket. Personally, I just use a piece of gaffers
(duct) tape, line the cells up--terminals down, adhesive side up--then
fold the tape down over the sides. That's enough to keep them from
shorting together. Put in a drawer or box, they won't short to anything
else.

YMMV...the goo from the tape is sometimes an issue.

jak

Now if it's AA/AAA/CR123 cells you want to protect, there are nice
little soft plastic snap boxes available that work fine. Dealextreme
sells a set of 3 4-cell AA boxes for $2.50. Pricey for a few bits of
plastic, but that includes worldwide shipping. I use them for NiMH AA
cells. You often get them for free when you buy a set of 4 cells.

Just out of curiosity, what are you using that requires a 9V
rechargable battery? Something special? Most occasional-use meters and
such like are better off with a 9V primary cell because of the low
self discharge rate of primary cells compared to NiMH.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

To be honest, I don't use them for anything. My comments referred to
alkalines used in wireless mics and other sound equipment. I save the
used batteries in the manner suggested above. 9v's are expensive.
While I wouldn't use them again professionally, we change them at almost
every opportunity, since the expense is trivial compared to a dead mic
during a show or presentation. As such, they are still useful for less
demanding applications.

I also wouldn't use rechargables for the application; but the size,
shape and intent are close enough for the method to be useful to the OP.

jak

In article ,
jakdedert wrote:
To be honest, I don't use them for anything. My comments referred to
alkalines used in wireless mics and other sound equipment. I save the
used batteries in the manner suggested above. 9v's are expensive.
While I wouldn't use them again professionally, we change them at almost
every opportunity, since the expense is trivial compared to a dead mic
during a show or presentation.

Surely the client effectively pays for them?

But if you're using decent quality batteries and equipment, the life
should be pretty consistent. With mine, it's 9 hours so I change at 8. If
I were using them for an all day presentation where they could only be
changed at say the lunch break, good rechargeables *might* be worth it.
Assuming your mics have an SMPS that can work on the lower voltage.

But as I said earlier, 'pro' batteries bought by the box already come with
a clip on protector. Or do in the UK. And are cheaper per unit than buying
retail - unless you're willing to use no name stuff. At the moment I'm
using Energiser.

--
*There are two kinds of pedestrians... the quick and the dead.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
jakdedert wrote:
To be honest, I don't use them for anything. My comments referred to
alkalines used in wireless mics and other sound equipment. I save the
used batteries in the manner suggested above. 9v's are expensive.
While I wouldn't use them again professionally, we change them at almost
every opportunity, since the expense is trivial compared to a dead mic
during a show or presentation.

Surely the client effectively pays for them?


He is in the convention business. The mics are used to at least half
battery life, per use. Rather than take a chance of one dying before a
second use is over, the battery is replaced. It's figured to be a
consumable item like gaffer's tape & light bulbs.


But if you're using decent quality batteries and equipment, the life
should be pretty consistent. With mine, it's 9 hours so I change at 8. If
I were using them for an all day presentation where they could only be
changed at say the lunch break, good rechargeables *might* be worth it.
Assuming your mics have an SMPS that can work on the lower voltage.

But as I said earlier, 'pro' batteries bought by the box already come with
a clip on protector. Or do in the UK. And are cheaper per unit than buying
retail - unless you're willing to use no name stuff. At the moment I'm
using Energiser.


--
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aioe.org, Goggle Groups, and Web TV users must request to be white
listed, or I will not see your messages.

If you have broadband, your ISP may have a NNTP news server included in
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The crazy, and the insane.
The first sign of insanity is denying that you're crazy.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
jakdedert wrote:
To be honest, I don't use them for anything. My comments referred to
alkalines used in wireless mics and other sound equipment. I save the
used batteries in the manner suggested above. 9v's are expensive.
While I wouldn't use them again professionally, we change them at almost
every opportunity, since the expense is trivial compared to a dead mic
during a show or presentation.

Surely the client effectively pays for them?

But if you're using decent quality batteries and equipment, the life
should be pretty consistent. With mine, it's 9 hours so I change at 8. If
I were using them for an all day presentation where they could only be
changed at say the lunch break, good rechargeables *might* be worth it.
Assuming your mics have an SMPS that can work on the lower voltage.

But as I said earlier, 'pro' batteries bought by the box already come with
a clip on protector. Or do in the UK. And are cheaper per unit than buying
retail - unless you're willing to use no name stuff. At the moment I'm
using Energiser.

ProCells are well discounted and often two boxes for the price of one at
CPC in Preston. My last batch of PP3`s worked out around 80p each.

Ron(UK)

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
jakdedert wrote:
To be honest, I don't use them for anything. My comments referred to
alkalines used in wireless mics and other sound equipment. I save the
used batteries in the manner suggested above. 9v's are expensive.
While I wouldn't use them again professionally, we change them at almost
every opportunity, since the expense is trivial compared to a dead mic
during a show or presentation.

Surely the client effectively pays for them?

When I say they're expensive, I'm speaking as a consumer. A card of two
name-brand 9v's might be as much as $8 in a convenience store. That's a
lot to pay for a backup battery in an alarm clock (the usual destination
for my used cells), or a toddlers toy. Servicable cells are a perk of
the job. I never buy them, either way (unless jobs with 9v's haven't
come my way lately). Professionally, the client pays. Personally, I
get free batteries.

Either way the cost (to me) is trivial.

But if you're using decent quality batteries and equipment, the life
should be pretty consistent. With mine, it's 9 hours so I change at 8. If
I were using them for an all day presentation where they could only be
changed at say the lunch break, good rechargeables *might* be worth it.
Assuming your mics have an SMPS that can work on the lower voltage.

The breaks don't always come at 8 hours. So, as you say, at lunch I'd
change them, depending on the projected balance of the presentation.
I'd also watch the reciever battery indicators like a hawk if they
started to get low. I've been known to sneak up and change them on the fly.

But as I said earlier, 'pro' batteries bought by the box already come with
a clip on protector. Or do in the UK. And are cheaper per unit than buying
retail - unless you're willing to use no name stuff. At the moment I'm
using Energiser.

I've never bught (my clients haven't, actually) anything but Procells.
I don't--and I don't allow anyone to--put the protectors back on the
cells, or put them back in a used box. In the box--or protector
on--means 'new battery' to me. Too much trouble to keep track during
the heat of battle. If the stagehands or anyone else want the used
cells, they need to get them out of my sight.

I don't have time to check (or recharge) used batteries. I do check the
mic's indicator whenever I change out the cells, though. I've never
gotten a bad Procell; but there's a first time for everything.

jak

jakdedert wrote in
:

I don't have time to check (or recharge) used batteries.

No-one's time should be that important unless they're saving a life or
something. Time these devices were fitted with lithium ion batteries.
Changing out sets of those occurs less because the energy density is good,
there;s no 'memory effect' or other reason not to top up on demand, the cost
can be low enough to compete with Procells, and changing them is as fast, or
faster, given no fiddly pop-cap connector to mess with. And you top up your
batteries at night in a charger and in the morning you have lots of new
batteries. Their energy density is good enough that you'll likely get through
a day or more of the demands a microphone makes, so if time really IS si
desperately im,piortant that you think you can't find enough to charge a
battery, think again. It will save you more than it costs.

The only serious obstacle is the possible lack of 9V PP3 shaped lithium ion
types. I don't think I've seen any yet. But a decent mic could use a DC-DC
converter and run off one or two standard CR123's just fine, and for a lot
longer too. The use of space for chemical reaction is far better in large
cells than groups of small ones.

jakdedert wrote:
I've never
gotten a bad Procell; but there's a first time for everything.

I have! several times. PP3`s suffering sudden infant death - I always
let radio mikes run for at least 15 minutes before a show where I can.
I`ve never had a faulty AA, but as you say there`s always a first time.
and I never ever use rechargables in radio packs.

ROn(UK)

Ron Johnson wrote:
jakdedert wrote:
I've never
gotten a bad Procell; but there's a first time for everything.

I have! several times. PP3`s suffering sudden infant death - I always
let radio mikes run for at least 15 minutes before a show where I can.
I`ve never had a faulty AA, but as you say there`s always a first time.
and I never ever use rechargables in radio packs.

ROn(UK)

As i just said in another post, most mics these days use AA's. Last
tour I had 11 presentation systems, each with four RF receivers; and
each receiver had a lav pack and a handheld mic...presenter's choice.
That's a lot of batteries (two per). Additionally, we had a general
session (the 'main tent') with a dozen RF mics. I never got a bad
battery, but I didn't have time to monitor each mic for 15 minutes,
either. Usually either I (or my designated crew) checked batteries on
each major break and replaced if below full scale on the mic battery
indicator.

All that said, I did have to shepherd eight walkie-talkies that all used
rechargeables. That was trouble enough....

jak

... and I never ever use rechargables in radio packs.
ROn(UK)

Why? [if you wouldn't mind a newbie question...]
--
John English

On Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:03:52 -0000, Spehro Pefhany wrote:

On Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:38:29 -0600, the renowned jakdedert
wrote:

DaveC wrote:
I want to keep some NiMH rechargeable 9v batteries in my tool bag (well, my
meter bag, actually). I am currently running a double loop of electrical tape
around the entire battery to insulate the terminals.

I'd like to use something more durable (one battery has had a terminal peek
through the tape) and was thinking about something like a battery terminal
connector but made of insulating material like nylon (probably of some
cheaper plastic).

Does such a thing exist? I did web searches, but maybe my terminology isn't
spot-on...

Ideas?

Thanks,

As Michael pointed out, the same caps that Duracells ship with are
available in aftermarket. Personally, I just use a piece of gaffers
(duct) tape, line the cells up--terminals down, adhesive side up--then
fold the tape down over the sides. That's enough to keep them from
shorting together. Put in a drawer or box, they won't short to anything
else.

YMMV...the goo from the tape is sometimes an issue.

jak

Now if it's AA/AAA/CR123 cells you want to protect, there are nice
little soft plastic snap boxes available that work fine. Dealextreme
sells a set of 3 4-cell AA boxes for $2.50. Pricey for a few bits of
plastic, but that includes worldwide shipping. I use them for NiMH AA
cells. You often get them for free when you buy a set of 4 cells.

Just out of curiosity, what are you using that requires a 9V
rechargable battery? Something special? Most occasional-use meters and
such like are better off with a 9V primary cell because of the low
self discharge rate of primary cells compared to NiMH.

The new type (eg. Uniross Hybrio) of NiMH have a very low self discharge. The only problem is certain devices like smoke alarms not liking the slightly lower voltage.

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

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_.-' `-._| `-._ _.-"-,-' `-._
"-._ _.-| _.-" "`-._ _.-"
`-._ _.-'_.-"-,-' `-._ _.-'
`-._ _.-'_.-' "`-._ _.-|_.-'
|_.-' `-._ _.-' "
"-._ _.-|_.-'
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`-._ _.-'
"