Karaoke Forums

I recently obtained a shure ULX wireless system and, as we know, they love to gobble batteries.  Now, some models of wireless mic use AA size cells, and finding a high capacity rechargeable for those is relatively simple.... Nickel Metal-Hydride would be my choice.  However, there is a problem using rechargeables with the ULX transmitter in that it uses a 9 Volt cell.  The NimH 9V cells  typically have around 140mAh capacity  (compare that to AA cells with 2400mAh).  Couple that with the fact they aren't 9V but more like 8.2V when fully charged.... means they don't last long before requiring a charge.

I have just found out about a new cell, called the E-Cell Fuel Cell.  These are hydrogen cell "batteries"  and I have been informed that the 9 volt versions ARE actually 9 volts when fully charged.  I have requested the local retailer get some in so I can check them out.   Will keep you all informed of my findings.

As a footnote, I bought a couple of "9V size" "Ultralife" lithium cells a few days ago.  They claim tto last up to 5 times longer than alkaline cells.  Well, that would be fine so long as they were 9V size.... they are actually slightly larger and won't fit into the
Shure gear!

Check this out
http://www.notabattery.com/index.htm

I have some  Quest batteries and have to say that they are stilll going strong (bought in 2002)  and are far better reliably than any other NiMH batteries I have used.

I buy in bulk from Sam's Club. Cost is about $1.79 each, battery last 2 Shows. I'm not complaining, that's reasonable. Mic's 2 and 3 see much less use and last longer.

Check out this site:

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/

We've purchase dozens of batteries from them over the years, both 9V and AA. Our newer systems (Shure UHF's)use AA's, and we're currently using lithium 9V in the older (Shure LX/SC's) systems. The company has always treated us fairly, when it came to the occasional defective battery.  :oh yeah:

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Premiere Karaoke Ent. LLC

his looks interesting, considering 9V rechargeables usually hace only around 140 - 160 mAh ratings!  

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/ipowe ... ry.php#top

I buy old-style Zinc Chloride (heavy duty) 9v batteries at WalMart for $0.47 each. They drive my Sennheiser Freeport for an entire show, at which time I toss them. They are supposed to have 60% of the maH of alkaline, and they are 30% of the cost. They last twice as long as rechargeable 9v.

Murrlyn,
You are exactly right in your assessment of the 9V dilemma for wireless. Shure says recharging 9volts are a no no. You actually get less life on a recharge, and they are not 9 volts. I also have some Litheum batteries not fit into some of my stomp boxes i have for my guitar rig. I switched to the AKG Dual Microphone system, that gives 30 hours on 1 AA battery. And i am using a Sony wireless system for my own personal mic, which uses two AA batteries. I sold my wireless shure system for this very reason.

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

Murrlyn;
   The link you posted above are the batteries we started using several months ago.... they have lasted several 4 hour shows before needing a recharge. You must, however, buy the reccomended charger:

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/ipowe ... harger.htm

and make sure the switch on it is set to Lithium.....

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Premiere Karaoke Ent. LLC

That is true, but Shure are talking the "9V" batteries that are only 8.4V or 7.6V.  The E-Cells are truly 9V according to what I  have heard and their discharge is linear so I would expect them to last longer than the NiMh or NiCd cells.  Not sure of the voltage of those Lithium rechargeables, but Doug's comments are very encouraging.... with the results he is getting, it would make Mcky's solution more expensive!  

Say @$0.47 each, if they last twice as long as a 160mAh cell, then the 500mAh cells would probably last 1.5 times as long on a single charge.... but it seems according to Mcky that he only gets one show out of a cell, whereas Doug is getting not 1.5 shows but several.   So, 3 x .47 = $1.41 is what Mcky pays to get the equivalent of one charge cycle for the Lithium.... x cell life of 500 charges = $705.00 as opposed to $16.00 + the cost of the charger @ $35.00    Makes those cheap ZnCl cells look like false economy!

B&H Photo Video Audio has a 9v500mAH lithium polymer rechargable battery they say is recommended for wireless.  Page 320 in their summer 2007 cataloge. They have a web site at www.bhphotovideo.com.


Jim_n_TN

You also have to buy the electricity, you know. It does cost, even if you can't trace it.

I actually get more than one show's worth from a battery. I use the remainder for my practice time. 47 cents per show is pretty cheap, though -- I spend many times that  on gasoline, tires, and car to get to the gig. I also never have to worry about batteries dying in the middle of the show.

Mics two and three probably wouldn't need their battery replaced every time, either.

Ok, so buy two rechargeables and have one on charge at the gig while using the other... then it's not you who is paying for the electricity!  

I don't want to have to worry about it. With rechargables, you never are quite certain what their status is. If I wanted to worry about running out of charge during the show, I could just use the ZnCl ones until they died.

My policy is good for me. It is cheap, and I have never had the mic-running-out-of-battery event, which I simply don't want to risk.