Trantec 5.3 batteries, usegae, types you use

[durian]

Please only comment if you use trantec 5.3 mics . thank you kindly. :blink:

 

'We' recently purchased an 8 way racked n ready to go I would be interested to hear what batteries you use, what combination of mics you use and how you decide what batteries to use.

The documentation says up to 11 hours on one AA cell

 

I have an 8 way comprising

 

6x beltpack/lavalier

 

2x handheld

 

I use a combination of duracell, ross and some generic AA thing rechargeable cells.

 

when I put a freshly chrarged battery in a transmitter I never get a full indicator bar of power, but it does last for most of the day. (7 hours)

 

I use an intelligent charger, what charger do you use, if you are using re chargeable cells

 

Which AA cells do you use for your 5.3 trantecs and why?

 

thanks

[themadhippy]

when I put a freshly chrarged battery in a transmitter I never get a full indicator bar of power

maybe due to the fact most rechargable cells are 1.2v,were as non rechargables are 1.5v

[TonyMitchell]

We use Duracell Ultrapower AA cells in our Trantec S5.3 kit. Haven't tried rechargeables on the Trantec, to be honest was put off the whole rechargeable thing after using them on our Sennheiser EW500 kit a few years back as even when fully charged, they never lasted more than a few hours (on handhelds)... although they're 9v not AA.

 

My only criticism of the battery meters on the S5.3 is (when used with bodypack transmitters) the battery meter seems to go from 3 bars to 0 disproportionately fast. I've not had one die on me yet, but have had a few nail biting moments.

 

Personally, I wouldn't rule out tips from users of other brands, after all the technology is the same and the kit similar.

[cedd]

I use the good old Gp alkalines from cpc. Easily get 2 performances out of them (which by the time you've handed them out, done the interval and retrieved them all again, can easily be 4 hours). I'm nowhere near getting worried about battery levels after 2 performances, and I recently used a set that had already done 2 performances, for a tech rehearsal of a similar length and again had no issues (I lie actually - one pack did shut itself down. It seemed to have tried to restart itself but only got as far as the screen where it says it's an S5.3 - didn't get to displaying frequency).

 

Never used rechargeable batteries in any of my radio mics, so I won't comment. I believe those figures quoted are for a regular cell, so I'm not surprised you're seeing a fair bit shorter life on them.

C

[GridGirl]

Moderation: A few off-topic posts have been removed. While the question asked by the OP is pretty specific, there's nothing stopping that specific question being asked - there is plenty of discussion elsewhere on the forum regarding rechargeables/radio mic batteries. Please can we attempt to remain on topic! Thanks, Anna (mods)

[ramdram]

Partly on topic...a word to the wise on "make" of battery/cell.

 

Very recently a group I did the sound for hired in some rms. I asked the hire company to include the batteries as well but much to my surprise they declined. It seems that in the past they would but then got complaints that some new packaged Procells (they supplied) were dying prematurely. They complained in turn to a rep and found that that the Procells might have been pirates.

 

This was a known occurrence, so to speak, and the way to tell was in the printing on the cell itself. Sure enough they had bought duffers. (The "price" of buying cheap off the www.)

 

Their advice was to simply buy own brand alkalines from Morrisons (the nearest massive place in our locale) and they were as cheap as. This we did and had no problems. I would posit too that it would be highly unlikely some dodgy outfit would pirate supermarket own brands???

 

Ref the chemistry of the cells...IF Trantec, say, advise alkalines, say, then buy alkalines. The rechargeable cell voltage issue is also well documented, g-I-a (= google if arsed), in that some manufacturers go so far as to say do NOT use rechargeable cells. Doubtless the volts drop is monitored to provide the battery level indication so if your cell is starting at 1.2v...(different chemistries have different voltages, again g-I-a.)

 

And of course a manufacturer would not want their product to be famed for having too high a battery consumption.

 

You could do your own survey and see if your local own brand cells last longer when taking into account the cost issue.

[pumphouse]

I use s5.3 systems, and thus far have had good results with Costco own brand alkaline batteries (Kirkland Signature). Have easily got 4 shows out of these in beltpacks (which surprised me - 2 had been the limit on our previous Shure systems). Hand-helds seem to be a little thirstier - 2-3 shows max I think.

 

I have had some poor results with Procells recently (even CPC or other reputable supplier sourced ones) and have been finding a few dud ones.

 

Jason

[DavidHart]

I use s5.3 systems, and thus far have had good results with Costco own brand alkaline batteries (Kirkland Signature). Have easily got 4 shows out of these in beltpacks (which surprised me - 2 had been the limit on our previous Shure systems). Hand-helds seem to be a little thirstier - 2-3 shows max I think.

 

I have had some poor results with Procells recently (even CPC or other reputable supplier sourced ones) and have been finding a few dud ones.

 

Jason

 

I agree with that, regulary get dud ones with the Procells.

[Lamplighter]

I would concur with Cedd, the GP gold alkaline cells are cheap (keep track of the special offers) from CPC, and reliable. I have not had a single faulty one in five years. This is in contrast with Procells, bought from other reputable suppliers, where around 2% were either dead or low capacity. I routinely check all the batteries on load as I prepare the radios, regardless if they are new or have done a show. I would reject any used ones that don't reach 1.35V for use in a show.

Brian

[durian]

I am most grateful for the input from other 5.3 users.

I am happy with the performance I get from re chargeables but was curious to see what other 5.3 users

are working with,

 

so many thanks for your comments so far