 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Most instructions say not to use rechargeables in transceivers? Why is this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
GordonFreeman,
I think they are meant to be less reliable in the cold from memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
whats the problem? normal batteries last an age.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
GordonFreeman, I think rechargeables tend to lose charge, and for some kit you need a decent maintained voltage. I have a couple of radios that will not function well for long with rechargeables, but will last ages with normal ones. My current non-rechargeable batteries have been in my transceiver for a total of 19 days skiing over 2 years. Not a problem - as kitenski says.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Non rechargable Alkaline batteries keep their charge for years.
A rechargable looses its charge between 2 weeks and 3 months completely, depending on type, age and usage. Thus they are too unreliable for something as crucial as a properly and reliably working beep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
The standard batteries in my Tracker have done over 4 weeks & still read over of 90% of charge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GordonFreeman, ... we had some fairly detailed discussion on this in the past. Do try the search engine as I seem to remember it was a fairly useful Thread. I contacted several manufacturers on this subject and posted responses. If i can find it I will post a link here ....
... but rechargeables are an absolute no-no. They do lose charge and are very unpredictable in cold conditions. Transceivers use most power in 'Search' mode and in this respect the rechargeables failed miserably in field test conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Also rechargables do not run out gradually - they tend to just shut off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Most rechargables fully charged are 1.2 volts and Alkaline ones start at about 1.6 volts. A set of Alkaline ones last me 30 days and still read 1.4 volts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Scarpa wrote: |
| Also rechargables do not run out gradually - they tend to just shut off. |
I'm not so sure that's not a design feature of some modern non-rechargeable batteries as well. I think some electronic devices don't work well without full power so newer battery design reflects that, the batteries we used to have that drained to nothing aren't the norm' now I think. As a result, on a Tracker I tend to buy a new set of batteries when they hit 85% or thereabouts and use the old ones for something else.
| spyderjon wrote: |
| The standard batteries in my Tracker have done over 4 weeks & still read over of 90% of charge. |
Have you tried turning it on?  That's a bit unrealistic, I've a set in mine today that's been used for 12 consecutive days and they're reading 88% (or were at lunchtime), that's more realistic, that includes 6 or 7 days with temperatures at -10' and below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I have had four one week ski trips this season, all off piste.
I simply use normal batteries and change them for new ones at the start of each week. It's simple and as far as I am concerned probably the safest way and all it costs is a couple of quid for each week.
I did ski with someone this season who does the same but keeps the old batteries for less critical use. I must admit I thought that approach a bit miserly, but to be fair it is a better environmental approach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
I have got some of the "new generation" rechargeables that come fully charged out of the packet, and keep their charge much longer than the older type. Can't remember the name, you can get them off the internet quite cheap. They should work okay in a transceiver..... I think.....! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
richjp, mammut transceivers give a % battery power left which is useful. I change at 50%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| stoatsbrother wrote: |
| richjp, mammut transceivers give a % battery power left which is useful. I change at 50%. |
My Ortovox also gives an indication but with three indicator bars or less, rather than a precise percentage.
I still prefer to change each week.
Hope you have had a good season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
I use new batteries for bleeper, swap when below 90% and then use in headtorch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| the ice perv wrote: |
| I have got some of the "new generation" rechargeables that come fully charged out of the packet, and keep their charge much longer than the older type. Can't remember the name, you can get them off the internet quite cheap. They should work okay in a transceiver..... I think.....! |
It's your life, I wouldn't risk it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
kitenski, It's others lives.. searching uses more juice than transmitting. But the wink gives it away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Uniross Hybrio, rechargeable with 5 yr life apparently. If you keep an eye on the battery level and carry spares, could be worth a try.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Scarpa wrote: |
| I use new batteries for bleeper, swap when below 90% and then use in headtorch. |
I really, really wouldn't do that, that's a classic example of drainage I mentioned, the torch remains bright for a fair while then dies suddenly. When you need a headtorch it can be pretty critical, you really don't want one with flat batteries.
Neither headtorches nor transceivers should be using lithium batteries either as we're on the subject.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
At about €4 a four pack of Duracell AA's, it works out at €0.07 or 5 pence per day. I then put them in the remote controls for the TV and Sat receiver, cause they are always nicked, when I arrive, I expect the Kids have felt their need was greater than mine.
Out of interest I charged a set of good quality 2500 mAh last night and this morning they read 1.302 volts a second set that was charged a week ago are at 1.237 volts. However a spare pair of Duracells that have been in my backpack since December read 1.597 and 1.602.
My tranceiver manual has in large bold writing DO NOT USE RECHARGABLE BATTERIES. I for one believe they have a point.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
ise, Fair point.... I don't use that torch for climbing and ski trips, just general camping. Any critical usage = new batts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reality check please. Are we trying to save £2 for three or four AAA batteries ? 
Having spent £300 for avalanche kit, on top of whatever additional expense we suffer for getting some proper off piste or back country skiing, why would we run even a teensy weensy risk that the batteries won't be totally reliable, especially in view of BernardC's correct comment that, once in receive mode, they have only an hour or so of usable life.
I've had my two weeks away this year. A new set went in the Tracker beforehand. Now they're out and powering Buzz Lightyear or something else in the toybox. I will happily shell out another £2 next year for two weeks' peace of mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sproggski, My thoughts exactly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
richjp, cracking thanks - 4 great weeks of skiing. roll on next winter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sproggski, if you're searching for an hour it's most likely body retrieval anyway  When I got my transceiver I was told to change at 50% left. That seems to be about 4 weeks use including a bit of search practice.
ise, always worth carrying spares for a headtorch, mine ran out of power in the Lakes at a very critical time once, fortunately it was a clear night so I only fell in a bog twice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
