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Next: varicam question
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External
Since: Mar 17, 2004
Posts: 92
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:06 am
Post subject: IPower battery voltage question
Archived from groups: rec>arts>movies>production>sound (more info?)
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I rather like the idea of using rechargeable batteries wherever possible and
heard many good thing about the iPower system so I purchased a charger and
set of four 9-volt batteries.
In charging the batteries for the first time, I am measuring voltages that
seem much lower than I would expect.
I measured the voltage of the batteries before putting them on charge. When
just unwrapped, they measured from 7.3 - 7.6 volts. A bit low but, then,
they had never been charged.
After a full charge (with the charger carefully switched to the LiOn
setting) the cells still measured only 8.3 or 8.4 volts. I'm using a good
meter that has always given me accurate readings in the past. I left the
cells on charge for several extra hours in the event that they might come up
higher after trickle charge. But additional time does not seem to have any
appreciable effect.
Voltage well under 9 volts seems much lower than I would expect, especially
in the absence of a load.
Do these cells start low and gradually come up to spec after several
charge-discharge cycles? Or have I received some duds?
I've not used them in any way, save to charge them. What experience have
others had with them? (And my apologies to iPower if there's nothing wrong
and I'm raising a fuss for nothing. Since I haven't yet used the batteries,
I can't be sure there really is anything wrong; it just seems odd to me.)
David Waelder |
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External
Since: May 03, 2006
Posts: 17
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:06 am
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Feb 18, 5:06 pm, David Waelder <davidwaesha... DeleteThis @earthlink.net>
wrote:
> I rather like the idea of using rechargeable batteries wherever possible and
> heard many good thing about the iPower system so I purchased a charger and
> set of four 9-volt batteries.
>
> In charging the batteries for the first time, I am measuring voltages that
> seem much lower than I would expect.
>
> I measured the voltage of the batteries before putting them on charge. When
> just unwrapped, they measured from 7.3 - 7.6 volts. A bit low but, then,
> they had never been charged.
>
> After a full charge (with the charger carefully switched to the LiOn
> setting) the cells still measured only 8.3 or 8.4 volts. I'm using a good
> meter that has always given me accurate readings in the past. I left the
> cells on charge for several extra hours in the event that they might come up
> higher after trickle charge. But additional time does not seem to have any
> appreciable effect.
>
> Voltage well under 9 volts seems much lower than I would expect, especially
> in the absence of a load.
>
> Do these cells start low and gradually come up to spec after several
> charge-discharge cycles? Or have I received some duds?
>
> I've not used them in any way, save to charge them. What experience have
> others had with them? (And my apologies to iPower if there's nothing wrong
> and I'm raising a fuss for nothing. Since I haven't yet used the batteries,
> I can't be sure there really is anything wrong; it just seems odd to me.)
>
> David Waelder
These batteries usually read about 8.4 volts when fully charged. They
will gradually loose they're charge under load over 4 hours with a
Lectro Tx. When they reach 7.7 volts think about changing battery.
>From my experiences when they reach 7.4 volts they could drop out any
time
Regards
Colin |
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External
Since: Mar 07, 2005
Posts: 1504
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:39 am
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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the litium ion cells are 3.7v so the 7.3-7.6 seems right for 2 cells
the maximum after charge is 8.4 as the voltage of your charger .
the most of your equip which works on 9v batteries runtill 6-7 v with dc to
dc converters till you loose all the battery capacity power .
the lithium do not loose v drastically under load.
so the only bad thing is that almost till the end of the battery your equip
will show good capacity till the last 3-10 minutes and then would collapse
..
as it happened to me 2 days ago :-) when I powered all my rig with 190w for
almost all they and the meters sowed full ,then suddenly in the middle of
the take everything died except the 744 which switched to its internals :-)
so when you read 7.3 -7.4 v on your receiver ( if its 201 and up) change if
not change about every 3.5-4hourse
never run till the end , it would short your battery life .
the battery dont colaps under heavy load and lossing vilatge as alkaline .
so the volatge run down from 8.4 to 7.2 when thbattery is ampty .
"David Waelder" <davidwaeshades.TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:C1FD2CD4.E4D7%davidwaeshades@earthlink.net...
>I rather like the idea of using rechargeable batteries wherever possible
>and
> heard many good thing about the iPower system so I purchased a charger and
> set of four 9-volt batteries.
>
> In charging the batteries for the first time, I am measuring voltages that
> seem much lower than I would expect.
>
> I measured the voltage of the batteries before putting them on charge.
> When
> just unwrapped, they measured from 7.3 - 7.6 volts. A bit low but, then,
> they had never been charged.
>
> After a full charge (with the charger carefully switched to the LiOn
> setting) the cells still measured only 8.3 or 8.4 volts. I'm using a good
> meter that has always given me accurate readings in the past. I left the
> cells on charge for several extra hours in the event that they might come
> up
> higher after trickle charge. But additional time does not seem to have any
> appreciable effect.
>
> Voltage well under 9 volts seems much lower than I would expect,
> especially
> in the absence of a load.
>
> Do these cells start low and gradually come up to spec after several
> charge-discharge cycles? Or have I received some duds?
>
> I've not used them in any way, save to charge them. What experience have
> others had with them? (And my apologies to iPower if there's nothing wrong
> and I'm raising a fuss for nothing. Since I haven't yet used the
> batteries,
> I can't be sure there really is anything wrong; it just seems odd to me.)
>
> David Waelder
> >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: May 16, 2006
Posts: 524
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:15 am
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Brand new alkalines read 9 Volts + when very fresh but drop quickly
under load (minutes). The iPower reads lower but does not drop as
fast. The average voltage of the iPower's in Lectro devices will
actually average higher over full battery use. The 8.47 Volts (2
cells) is as close to 9 Volts as the designers can come given that
they are making 4.235 Volt steps. LiPoly runs from 4.235 Volts per
cell fully charged to 2.7 Volts fully discharged. The iPower batteries
shut down a little early at 6.4 Volts to spare the cells. Most current
Lectro gear runs down to 5.5 Volts before giving up.
Best Regards,
Larry Fisher
Lectrosonics
On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:39:15 +0200, "Oleg Kaizerman"
<kaizero1.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>the litium ion cells are 3.7v so the 7.3-7.6 seems right for 2 cells
>the maximum after charge is 8.4 as the voltage of your charger .
>the most of your equip which works on 9v batteries runtill 6-7 v with dc to
>dc converters till you loose all the battery capacity power .
>the lithium do not loose v drastically under load.
>so the only bad thing is that almost till the end of the battery your equip
>will show good capacity till the last 3-10 minutes and then would collapse
>.
>as it happened to me 2 days ago :-) when I powered all my rig with 190w for
>almost all they and the meters sowed full ,then suddenly in the middle of
>the take everything died except the 744 which switched to its internals :-)
>so when you read 7.3 -7.4 v on your receiver ( if its 201 and up) change if
>not change about every 3.5-4hourse
>never run till the end , it would short your battery life .
>
>the battery dont colaps under heavy load and lossing vilatge as alkaline .
>so the volatge run down from 8.4 to 7.2 when thbattery is ampty .
>"David Waelder" <davidwaeshades.DeleteThis@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>news:C1FD2CD4.E4D7%davidwaeshades@earthlink.net...
>>I rather like the idea of using rechargeable batteries wherever possible
>>and
>> heard many good thing about the iPower system so I purchased a charger and
>> set of four 9-volt batteries.
>>
>> In charging the batteries for the first time, I am measuring voltages that
>> seem much lower than I would expect.
>>
>> I measured the voltage of the batteries before putting them on charge.
>> When
>> just unwrapped, they measured from 7.3 - 7.6 volts. A bit low but, then,
>> they had never been charged.
>>
>> After a full charge (with the charger carefully switched to the LiOn
>> setting) the cells still measured only 8.3 or 8.4 volts. I'm using a good
>> meter that has always given me accurate readings in the past. I left the
>> cells on charge for several extra hours in the event that they might come
>> up
>> higher after trickle charge. But additional time does not seem to have any
>> appreciable effect.
>>
>> Voltage well under 9 volts seems much lower than I would expect,
>> especially
>> in the absence of a load.
>>
>> Do these cells start low and gradually come up to spec after several
>> charge-discharge cycles? Or have I received some duds?
>>
>> I've not used them in any way, save to charge them. What experience have
>> others had with them? (And my apologies to iPower if there's nothing wrong
>> and I'm raising a fuss for nothing. Since I haven't yet used the
>> batteries,
>> I can't be sure there really is anything wrong; it just seems odd to me.)
>>
>> David Waelder
>>
> >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: Mar 17, 2004
Posts: 92
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:17 pm
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Thank you to all who replied to my inquiry about iPower batteries and
voltage.
I've been using the batteries for about a week now. While I haven't
conducted any run tests, the performance seems roughly equivalent to good
alkaline cells. I'm using them in a cordless boom and we change out the
batteries at lunch. Sometimes I'll make more frequent changes, rotating them
after a few hours, then at lunch, and again a few hours before expected
wrap. Since there does not appear to be any liability to changing often,
this provides an additional level of comfort, at least until I have more
experience with the system. Recharge is very quick, perhaps 30 minutes or
less, depending on how completely drained they are. So, my short term
experience is very positive.
David Waelder
(working e-mail is my name + wae, my server is earth link dot net) >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: May 16, 2006
Posts: 524
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:24 am
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Hi David,
From everything I've read on LiPoly there are some real benefits to
only doing partial discharges. The life is extended by more than the
reduction in discharge, i.e., doing 50% discharges will give you more
than twice the long term battery life compared to 100% discharges.
LarryF
Lectro
On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 20:17:20 GMT, David Waelder
<davidwaeshades.RemoveThis@earthlink.net> wrote:
[snip]
> I'm using them in a cordless boom and we change out the
>batteries at lunch. Sometimes I'll make more frequent changes, rotating them
>after a few hours, then at lunch, and again a few hours before expected
>wrap. Since there does not appear to be any liability to changing often,
>this provides an additional level of comfort, at least until I have more
>experience with the system. >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: Jan 10, 2007
Posts: 8
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:22 pm
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Feb 26, 12:24 pm, Larry Fisher <lectroson....TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi David,
> From everything I've read on LiPoly there are some real benefits to
> only doing partial discharges. The life is extended by more than the
> reduction in discharge, i.e., doing 50% discharges will give you more
> than twice the long term battery life compared to 100% discharges.
> LarryF
> Hello Larry.
What does the does that translate into the Batt voltage reading on
411 receivers?
The IPower 9v's I was using seemed to shut down in the transmitters at
6.8 volts.
Is this 100% discharge? what voltage readout represents 50%- 7.6v?,
since they seem to strt around 8.2?
I was changing them just before lunch on my last studio shoot, maybe
every 2-2.5 hours?
Art McKay >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: May 16, 2006
Posts: 524
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:18 pm
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Hi Art,
I would expect the iPowers to run the UCR411A for 8 hours. They will
run UM400's for 5 hours so you were getting them 50% discharged at 2.5
hours. I don't know what the voltage levels represent. The transmitter
will run down to 5 Volts (approx) so the ipowers were shutting
themselves down for protection, which is by design.
Best Regards,
Larry Fisher
Lectrosonics
On 26 Feb 2007 14:22:05 -0800, "Artur" <amckay DeleteThis @hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote:
> Hello Larry.
>What does the does that translate into the Batt voltage reading on
>411 receivers?
>The IPower 9v's I was using seemed to shut down in the transmitters at
>6.8 volts.
>Is this 100% discharge? what voltage readout represents 50%- 7.6v?,
>since they seem to strt around 8.2?
>
>I was changing them just before lunch on my last studio shoot, maybe
>every 2-2.5 hours?
>Art McKay >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: Jan 17, 2007
Posts: 24
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:55 pm
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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External
Since: Jan 10, 2007
Posts: 8
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:42 am
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Hi Larry
I have gotten 5 hours out of the i Powers in um400 transmitters too.
What I was trying to get your opinion on was
if changing them at 2.5 hours would represent 50% discharged.
You seem to agree...
I don't think I EVER saw lower than 6 volt readings
on the TX battery readout on the 411 when they shut down, though.
(They die so suddenly that's no surprise, though, isn't it.
SO , I had come down to about 2 and a half cycles a day per 9v,
- two changes to keep from running out during a take -
at about the 4 and 8 hour mark in the day.
It would be nice to make decisions with the readout of Transmitter
battery strength on the 411 receiver when variables like the
talent turning off their transmitter during setups, etc are thrown in
and in run and gun Doc work.
Art McKay >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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External
Since: May 16, 2006
Posts: 524
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(Msg. 11) Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:14 am
Post subject: Re: IPower battery voltage question [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Hi Art,
My comments are in your post.
On 27 Feb 2007 07:42:03 -0800, "Artur" <amckay.RemoveThis@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote:
> Hi Larry
>I have gotten 5 hours out of the i Powers in um400 transmitters too.
>What I was trying to get your opinion on was
>if changing them at 2.5 hours would represent 50% discharged.
>You seem to agree...
LEF- Yes
>I don't think I EVER saw lower than 6 volt readings
>on the TX battery readout on the 411 when they shut down, though.
LEF- The protection circuits in the iPower disconnect the battery when
the voltage gets to the 6.5 Volt range.
>(They die so suddenly that's no surprise, though, isn't it.
>SO , I had come down to about 2 and a half cycles a day per 9v,
>- two changes to keep from running out during a take -
>at about the 4 and 8 hour mark in the day.
>
>It would be nice to make decisions with the readout of Transmitter
>battery strength on the 411 receiver when variables like the
>talent turning off their transmitter during setups, etc are thrown in
>and in run and gun Doc work.
>Art McKay
LEF- The problem with voltage readings is that the voltage will go up
when the transmitter is turned off and not give as reliable readings
as the continuous use situation. If the talent is turning transmitters
on and off to save batteries, I would recommend using the battery
timer function in the UCR411a. You have to keep the UCR411a on to
catch the transmitter signal (unless you are sure both are off at the
same times) and the transmitter has to be in range. However, this
should work accurately.
Best Regards,
Larry Fisher
Lectrosonics >> Stay informed about: IPower battery voltage question |
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