New batteries in the beacon, please

**old goat** · 10-24-2009, 10:33 AM

Trouble is, I don't know if the fresh ones I put I are any good--my wife saves the old dead batteries, also burned out light bulbs.

**SkiED** · 10-24-2009, 12:22 PM

Why is it mandatory i change my batteries? My battery meter is still at 90%..... seems dumb to me.

**Wibby** · 11-07-2009, 09:23 PM

bump for the NW dumpage.

**bean** · 11-07-2009, 09:44 PM

Took the batts out over the summer, they were fresh when I put the beacon away (~97%) but I don't know where they went...so new batts today.

**Mister Senor Love Daddy** · 11-08-2009, 12:54 PM

Done, thx.

**hutash** · 11-08-2009, 06:39 PM

I assume these are just a bunch of smart assed answers, after all this is TGR, but some people really don't know any better, so just to be sure....PUT IN NEW BATTERIES.

**melotime** · 11-08-2009, 07:22 PM

fresh batts here, cheers to a new year!

**Pancakes** · 11-08-2009, 09:27 PM

Ur a dumbass if you don't use new 100% Lithium Ion Batteries every time. They might be expensive, but they make the beacon's range and signal stronger, and it goes farther.

**waxman** · 11-08-2009, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by skibee

We put our "old" beacon bats in the remote control or in the milf frother thingie for in the morning.

sorry Brenda i had to

**hutash** · 11-08-2009, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Pancakes

Ur a dumbass if you don't use new 100% Lithium Ion Batteries every time. They might be expensive, but they make the beacon's range and signal stronger, and it goes farther.

Is this true? I know Li batteries last longer, but I doubt the latter is true. In fact I would be more concerned that the degrade the signal since the beacons were not designed for their use...any EE mags actually know the real answer?

**mntlion** · 11-19-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by waxman

sorry Brenda i had to

you just love her for her baking.......

**skibee** · 11-19-2009, 11:38 PM

No milfs in our house! Just me!

**mntlion** · 11-20-2009, 12:04 AM

GILF?
8765

**Hacksaw** · 11-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by skibee

No milfs in our house! Just me!

LOL!!!!

**Al_Rouse** · 11-20-2009, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by hutash

Is this true? I know Li batteries last longer, but I doubt the latter is true. In fact I would be more concerned that the degrade the signal since the beacons were not designed for their use...any EE mags actually know the real answer?

I thought there was a thread about this on TTips a year or two ago. IIRC the BCA Tracker did not like Li batteries (I think it experienced some sort of transmit failure - could be wrong).

New Energizers/Duracells for me! Go with what has proven to work.

Found the link:http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14095

**Meadow Skipper** · 11-20-2009, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Pancakes

Ur a dumbass if you don't use new 100% Lithium Ion Batteries every time. They might be expensive, but they make the beacon's range and signal stronger, and it goes farther.

You got something to back this up?

**killclimbz** · 11-20-2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Pancakes

Ur a dumbass if you don't use new 100% Lithium Ion Batteries every time. They might be expensive, but they make the beacon's range and signal stronger, and it goes farther.

You are a fucking retard and have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Stick to conversations about riding chairlifts please.

http://pistehors.com/news/ski/commen...anche-beacons/

Don't use lithiums in your beacon.

**eldereldo** · 11-20-2009, 09:07 AM

Ur a dumbass if you don't read your manual to see what the manufacturer requires.

Lithium batteries, along with all other rechargables are 1.2 volts, alkalines and the old carbon cells are 1.5 volts. I know my beacon, an F1 specifically says NO rechargables as the range is reduced and the circuitry can be damaged. Read your manual to see if you beacon can use non alkalines.

LI last longer, they do not provide any more power unless the device they are installed in has smart circuitry and can increase the amperage draw from them.

What are you going to do, save $10/year by using LI? You have spent thousands on gear, buy the right batteries. You can check your beacon before heading out the door for the day, replace the batteries if low. If you are going for a week put new batteries in, and take a spare set. How hard is that?

**hutash** · 11-20-2009, 10:20 AM

Thanks, that is what I thought, but I couldn't remember the reason. This comes up every year or two, so it is a good reminder.

Here is the pertinent info. from the above links for those too lazy to click the links.

From Pistehors:

However all the manufacturers are very strict about using only Alkaline batteries in their avalanche beacons. This is because the circuitry which detects how much battery life remains is tuned for this kind of cell. The capacity of Alkalines degrades gracefully whereas Lithium (and rechargeable cells) have a relatively flat discharge curve. One minute your beacon is saying 99% full, the next it is on zero.

...and TTips

A few weeks ago while doing a beacon practice session, I noticed my DTS Tracker was not working properly in search mode. While it would transmit fine and could be picked up by other beacons, in search mode it would not give any indication of direction and gave a constant reading of 0.1 M. Normally when I put my beacon on I simply check to see whether it transmits and receives, not whether it searches correctly, so I don’t know how long I’ve been using it like this. I returned it to REI and they gave me another one.

Turns out that the problem appears to be related to the use of Energizer Lithium AAA batteries. When I initially used the new beacon with the alkaline batteries supplied with it, it worked fine. Today when I changed to Lithium batteries, it ceased searching again. I also tried this with a 3rd beacon with the same result. Switching back to alkaline batteries rectifies the problem. Cursory examination of the batteries with a voltmeter shows they both put out the correct voltage, so I’m not sure what the problem is, but in any case I would advise against using Lithium batteries in your tracker (even though I love them in cold weather for other devices.)

**El Chupacabra** · 11-07-2010, 08:09 AM

Bump for a reminder going into winter 2010-11. New batteries time, everyone.

And use regular alkalines, not lithium or rechargeable. Definitely *not* rechargeables, anyway -- when those die, they die FAST, and seem more affected by cold temps than good old fashioned Duracells or Energizers.

**powdrhound** · 11-07-2010, 10:20 AM

Thanks. Timely.
When I reinserted the batteries for last month's skin, they were at 89%. Today, 85%.

My life is worth more than a couple batteries.

Cheap insurance.

**lynchdogger** · 11-07-2010, 01:44 PM

Great bump - although we are a bit away from the need here on the ice coast.

**lemonhead** · 11-07-2010, 02:10 PM

New batteries for me. If your going to be cheap I recommend cutting corners on other items.

**Zee** · 11-07-2010, 02:39 PM

Any real difference between premium brands (Energizer/Duracell) and in-house brands that anyone has noticed?

I usually buy AAA and AA in bulk (PC Brand from Superstore/Loblaws)

**El Chupacabra** · 11-07-2010, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Zee

Any real difference between premium brands (Energizer/Duracell) and in-house brands that anyone has noticed?

I usually buy AAA and AA in bulk (PC Brand from Superstore/Loblaws)

I've used generic ones without any problem, in all sorts of devices, including the beacons. No problem with the Kirkland-badged ones that Costco sells.