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Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:17 pm
by rustywire
It's true, many simple circuit, vintage variety fuzz and wah pedals prefer using a 9v cell to keep them happy, peak rockin.
They also keep the noise floor lower than a psu. An obvious downside is the
disposable waste it creates.
In 2015 I began switching to Energizer rechargeable 9V batteries after trying one on a whim.
They don't make vintage circuits sound as bright as alkaline batteries. Also don't 'dull' on the smooth taper sag as do carbon-zinc chloride cells... but they do taper down throughout their charge and then begin dropping off a cliff when approaching 30% or so.
Up until that point they sound great in MKII tonebender and wah circuits, seem to be a great value so far

They hold charge about as long as standard heavy duty 9v, and are even better on the shelf, stored. Highly recommended to cut costs & waste in the long term. I still keep a few heavy duty 9v on hand just in case, but have yet to encounter a situation where they were needed to make a pedal work properly since going rechargeable.
Anyone have experience with other brands of rechargeable? Solutions?
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:20 pm
by Chankgeez
No, but I am interested in this topic.

Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:44 pm
by DRodriguez
Some major tours are starting to do rechargeable 9v's as a way to save on both money and waste.
They use 2 sets of rechargeables. The set not in use that night gets recharged at the venue for the next show.
I can offer no insight into brands though.
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:41 pm
by waltdogg
relevant to my interests.
i've heard similar things that rechargables and the old school super heavy duty batteries are the way to go for cheap reliable battery power. that's moot if you have a multi power supply and all the necessary adapters though active instruments...
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:46 pm
by coldbrightsunlight
vidret wrote:Norway would kill to have this technology.
You'd probably have to kill to get the money to buy one there. Maybe it's best if they don't know...
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:47 pm
by rustywire
Yeah, I'm up to 6 NiMH cell rotation with 2 NIB extras on hand (currently for non touring purposes). Curious how the major tours are recharging, as my charger only handles 1 9v at a time, takes at least 6hours. I'd need to buy more chargers to tour.
I use a china marker to label mine A,B,C,D,E,F while keeping a chart to tally and track the cycles like |||| ||||. Currently use 4 at a time, and I would need all 6 to run all pedals I prefer to power via 9v. They aren't cheap. The cells are about $9-10 each and the charger was a few bucks over $20. Got my eye on a dual-9v charger, for a few bucks less oddly enough, but doesn't look to have the same segmented lcd display to track progress.
Something else I find curious is they're rated for 175mAh while disposables are supposedly 3x as much. Still plenty of power for fuzz & wah. They also seem to supply the full 9.6v, necessary for more finicky digital pedals although I only recently got a big box RRR to try cycling one down.
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 2:59 pm
by jrfox92
I wonder whatever happened with that Stoner's FX thing.

Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 3:22 pm
by Faldoe
Can't help you Rusty cause my only experience with rechargeable 9Vs is also with the Energizer ones. Only used it in my Ebow.
Who else makes them?
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 3:46 pm
by crochambeau
I use an NiMH Energizer in my early muff, it works a treat. Would be fun to explore others, but the greater majority of my gear takes PSU.
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:27 pm
by UglyCasanova
monkeydancer wrote:vidret wrote:Norway would kill to have this technology.
You'd probably have to kill to get the money to buy one there. Maybe it's best if they don't know...
*Special Services picks up walkie-talkie*
"Mr. King of Norway, sir...we've got a Norwegian citizen discovering rechargeable 9V batteries on an online forum for....for people who like bushy vaginas..? Do you want me to neutralize target?"
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:44 pm
by coldbrightsunlight
I don't know what the king is like but my first thought would be why is there a whole forum about that. Hold off on the extrajudicial killing until we unravel this mystery. Hold my calls for.... 30 minutes?
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:11 pm
by UglyCasanova
*Walkie-talkie crackles*
"Take out the snarky limey"
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 7:11 pm
by 01010111
I'm actually making a battery-powered powersupply for my pedalboard today. I'll post pics later if people are interested, but it's a six-AA battery holder with an on/off switch and I'm using the tip from one of my old powersupplies. It'll work like a onespot or the old volto, and alltogether I think it costs $20 including batteries?
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 8:06 pm
by Blackened Soul
I use these, no issues, no noticeable change in sound
Re: Rechargeable 9v batteries
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 2:40 pm
by 01010111
wfs1234 wrote:I'm actually making a battery-powered powersupply for my pedalboard today. I'll post pics later if people are interested, but it's a six-AA battery holder with an on/off switch and I'm using the tip from one of my old powersupplies. It'll work like a onespot or the old volto, and alltogether I think it costs $20 including batteries?
To see how long it'd last, I timed the battery pack last night. It uses six AA's, and it powered five pedals for roughly five hours? For three of those the fuzz/dirt didn't suffer too much. But it got significantly worse after that.