Rechargeables and Noise Reduction Headsets

[EMBPLT]

Anyone know how long an Energizer NiMH 9 rechargeable battery will last in a noise reduction headset? How long does it take to recharge?? Thanks for the info, I am looking to switch off the non-rechargeables. -J

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I use the 15 minute recharge NiMH AA batteries in my Bose X. They dont have near the life of "real" batteries, but it beats buying new AAs every 20 hours.

I get about 8 - 10 hours out of a set.

 

[EMBPLT]

Any idea about a 9 volt??

 

[puddlejumper]

I use the 15 minute recharge NiMH AA batteries in my Bose X. They dont have near the life of "real" batteries, but it beats buying new AAs every 20 hours.

I get about 8 - 10 hours out of a set.

I'm getting well over 60 hours on 2 AA alkalines in my Bose. Something's not right if you're only getting 20 hours.

-PJ

 

[Sunnfun]

Anyone know how long an Energizer NiMH 9 rechargeable battery will last in a noise reduction headset? How long does it take to recharge?? Thanks for the info, I am looking to switch off the non-rechargeables. -J

I get about 20 hrs from a duracell 9V and about 10 - 12 hrs from a rechargeable energizer in my Bose X. Thought a couple of times about converting it to the AA type. Maybe I'll do it, 60 hrs from 2 AA is impressive!

 

[Wrenchnfly]

I use rechargables in my GPS. They work fine, but they don't seem to have the shelf life that "real" batteries do. I always carry extras in my flight bag. If they are fresh off the charger they last a lot of hours, but don't seem to hold a charge as well when on "stand by". I have been using the one hour duracells. Anyone else noticed this as well?

 

[dmspilot00]

Rechargable batteries have different capacities for charge. Look for the ones with the highest mAh (milli-ampere-hour) number. NiMH do lose charge sitting on the shelf unlike NiCd, however the capacities are much higher and they don't suffer from the problems NiCds do.

 

[EMBPLT]

Thanks for the input - the gentleman at the battery store told me I would only get about an hour out of the 9 volt rechargeable. I fly anywhere from 3-7 hours per day and just want to have something that will last the day and I can recharge it at night in the hotel. I have the rechargeable, I just don't want to try it unless I know it will last at least 7 hours. I am afraid I won't be able to return it if I use it. Thanks to all - J

 

[Luftpost]

Batteries

I have a DC ANR that utilizes 9v. In the past I used the best disposable batteries I could buy. They would last typically 15-20 hours.

I have since gone to Radio Shack NiMH, 150 MAh. They will last aout 7-8 hours.

Besides the useful life, the biggest difference is that the recharable batteries fall off very quickly as they approach "the end", where as the disposable batteries have a milder curve. I simply turn the ANR off, and then on again to recycle the system, and it will reset itself and continue to run for a while longer.

I have heard that there are different grades of rechargeable batteries. I do believe you get what you pay for. I don't think RS batteries are the best.

I always carry the disposable batteries with me in my headset bag within reach when I fly. When the rechargeable goes down, I just replace it with a disposable. Then when I hit the hotel, I will charge it overnight for at least 12-15 hours if my schedule allows, put the disposable back in my bag and use it next time the rechageable goes down. This system works well for me.

I also have a Sennheiser set that utilizes 2 AA. I have yet to get rechargeable batteries for this set as it last about 60-80 hours on a good set of disposables.

My charger supports two 9v batteries at a time, therefore theoretically I could rely entirely on rechargeble batteries if I had two, problem is I lost the second somewhere along the line.

My .02 cents.

L

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I've had the same experience with my 15 minute "quick charge" I-C3 batteries. They will last a day or two of flying, but no-where near as long as good ol' fashioned disposables.

I guess I could stock up on the originals at Sams club or something.

 

[EMBPLT]

Thanks again!

 

[CubanSmoker]

I did the conversion on Bose X's from 9v to AA's and it was well worth the money. The auto off feature is great and yeah, I got at least 45-50 hours of use on one set of non-rechargeables. I used the Energizer NiMH rechargeables and would get around 20-30 hours per charge from them. It's also easier, cheaper (and safer) to carry spare AA's over the 9v's.


I had to wait more than half a year to get my conversion stuff from Bose. It was so delayed that they gave me a free set of the regular ANR headphones that half of the pax in the back of the airplane have (very nice). I'm not sure how backed up they are now, but you really should do the upgrade if you can afford it. Battery life, auto off, easy volume adjustments, cheaper batteries are all worth it.

Just my $0.02

CS

 

[DJS]

From my experience with cameras, Radio Shack NiMH rechargable are the best batteries (hands down) and will far outlast Energizer, Duracell, etc. It is possible (probable?) that cameras use the batteries differently than headsets, though, so YMMV.

 

[DitchDriver]

The best source for rechargeables I found is www.batteryspace.com

About a year ago I bought a 24 pack of 2000 mAh AA size and 12 pack of AAA from them, all for about $30. Batteries last at least 8-9 hours in GPSIIIP with some backlight use. Regular alkalines go 14-15 hours. Right now they are selling 24 pack of 2300 mAh AA's for $30.

So far only one or two of them went bad, meaning overheated in the charger, popped the outer plastic (no leaks unlike other brands I've used) and won't take any charge now.

RadioShack's 9V are rated 120 or 150 mAh and cost $11 or $13. The site above sells 9V rated 200 mAh for $6 a piece.

Expect a short shelf life of the charge - not a big deal for my GPS use but useless in the handheld radio which is used very seldom.

I really oughta get me one of 'dem ANRs.

 

[fly2crawl]

I use the 15 minute recharge NiMH AA batteries in my Bose X. They dont have near the life of "real" batteries, but it beats buying new AAs every 20 hours.

I get about 8 - 10 hours out of a set.

I use the 15min rechargable Rayovac batteries in my BoseX and get a very long life out of them, at least 30 - 40 hours.