Make The Scene..... GO GREEN!! Tech Tip #14

Today’s tech tip touches on a subject that affects a lot of us. Some months ago I shared how our band 2Suite was experimenting with a 9volt rechargeable battery system. I was getting a little concerned about the amount of alkaline batteries we were going through, and after doing the math I realized just how many batteries would end up in the land fill.
Well I started researching rechargeable options and after much internet searching settled on Ansmann 250 - 9 V rechargeables with a 10 bay smart charger from Horizon battery (www.horizonbattery.com). We have been using the system for some time now with great success. The German made Ansmann batteries are top notch and used by such organizations as Cirque du Soleil, The Blue Man Group, and many other big name performers. Suzanne and I use Shure in-ear wireless systems and wireless mics with 2Suite, and are getting 4 to 5 hours of use from an Ansmann 9V rechargeable. Needless to say, I am very happy about this and I would like to pass along a few rechargeable tips from our good friends at horizon battery.
1-When using rechargeables with the horizon smart charger always replace the battery in the charger after use even if you have only used it for a short period of time. The batteries will not develop a “memory” like rechargeables of the past. The “smart” charger will go into trickle charge mode when recharging is finished and will protect your batteries from overcharging.
2-Do not remove charged batteries from the charger intending to use them a few days later as they will lose their charge. This is what the smart charger and trickle charge mode are for
3-Make sure when inserting the batteries into the charger that they snap firmly into place and are not just sitting on top of the charging terminals.

What a relief it is to have ten fresh 9 Volts ready to go in our 10 bay charger located right behind my drums and I now never have to worry about running out in a panic to spend 20 bucks on a 4-Pak of Duracells. Yes it was a bit of an investment. $205.00 U.S.D. for the 10 bay charger and 10 of the 250mah 9volt batteries. I purchased everything as a prepak set,and if purchased individually, it would be somewhat more expensive. The batteries are said to have a life span of 3 to 5 years or about 1000 recharges which would mean you earn your money back several times over. Of course that’s not nearly as important to us as not tossing all those used batteries into a land fill. I know we can’t change everyone’s thinking, but we do what we can and hope to lead by example. If you are using a lot of batteries, please consider checking out the rechargeable options, for Mother Earth’s sake if nothing else. Thanks for reading, and see you later in the week.
techtips@mts.net.