Batteries??

[brucester]

Hi,

Just about to build my second detector as my surf pi kit just arrived.

I have never really used a proper detector before and have no idea about the best battery type to use for them.

I did a search and read every surf pi thread on here :P

Still not clear. Are 8 alkaline AA batteries or 10 AA NiH the correct choice?

In general, what type of battery gives best performance and longevity with PI detectors?

Anyone tried a laptop battery? Figured if they can power a 32 bit processor, big lcd display and all the rest for 8 hours, they may be the best choice and are rechargeable.

Thanks for any advice

[SVEN1]

Deal Extreme has a number of rechargeable batteries that seem to last and last between charges in my PI.
Here's what I use:
http://dx.com/p/ysd-12450-12v-4500ma...-battery-80405
http://dx.com/p/3000mah-rechargeable...-dc-12v-144110
http://dx.com/p/12v-4800mah-recharge...-battery-91001

[golfnut]

For 12v on surf ...

I have used 3 laptop cells in series.
Also used 18V lithium pack from Makita drill.



S

[Zizbang]

Scogdawg

Hey golfnut, did you have to use a voltage regulator inline for the 18v makita battery, and what search coil are you useing with it? Thanks.

[F117]

The DX batteries mentioned here by Sven1 looked very good, so I ordered this rechargeable battery from DX: http://www.dx.com/p/80405.
Payment was Ok and the order shipped on Oct 25. A couple of days later they sent a mail that the goods were witheld at the airport because they contained LiIon batteries. .
Of course: they ARE Li Ion batteries !
They told me in the mail that another way of shipping would be found.
That is the last I heard from it, one month later.
This looks like a fraud to me and therefore I would like to warn everyone - living in Europe anyway - before blindly ordering anything at DX.
No idea if I will ever see the goods or a refund, but for me this was the first and last time with DX.

[Tibuck19]

I use 3 18650's that are recycled from Laptop batteries. they last for along time on one charge. just make sure to get a good bms charger for them.

[F117]

Just an update on the battery from DealExtreme: it has arrived after a trip of 42 days from China to Belgium.
Looking good at first sight

[Tibuck19]

Just an update on the battery from DealExtreme: it has arrived after a trip of 42 days from China to Belgium.
Looking good at first sight

Can you weigh it in grams please, a long time ago before I started using recycled laptop 18650's I was looking at that pack. Wondering what is the weight difference between the two.

[SVEN1]

Just an update on the battery from DealExtreme: it has arrived after a trip of 42 days from China to Belgium.
Looking good at first sight

Averages 20-30 days Air Mail from DX -- China to Canada. Never had any Li-on battery pack orders stalled at customs. Might be different when shipping to other countries.
Ebay battery orders took 30-40 days, some never arrived and sellers always issued a refund promptly if you paid with Paypal and filed a "Did not Receive dispute claim" directly thru Paypal. Just beware there are many many manufacturers of the same battery pack in China, some are of poorer quality, mah rating far less than claimed, one cell may go bad after a few months. Charging instructions can be pretty poor. Also, ebay has far less suppliers-sellers of Li-ion battery packs than they had several years ago. Might be due to current shipping regulations regarding these type of batteries.

[F117]

@Tibuck19

The battery weighs 163 grams.

[Tibuck19]

@Tibuck19

The battery weighs 163 grams.

Thanks, 3X18650's and a little bms board weights 133grams Not a huge difference. I don't know about your batt pack, but 3 18650's last a very very long time.