I'm using a Digitrax DT402D throttle. It goes through batteries quite quickly. Digitrax said this is because of it's duplex radio operation which is communicating with the command station frequently.
Digitrax recommended the Powerex brand. This is not readily available in nearby stores so must be purchased online.
Any other recommendations?
My local Ace Hardware has the Energizer brand. Unfortunately the Energizer website doesn't have much actual specification info.
Only some of them are - you need to check WHICH Powerex battery you buy. The 9.6 ones have a lower mAH capacity, but the power draw of the throttle isn't all that much, it's just picky about the voltage. A normal "9V" rechargeable starts at 8.4V so it's already almost to the cutoff threshold. Powerex makes both types, be sure to get the 9.6V variety and the charger meant for them.
You can get longer life by turning the backlight brightness down, or off entirely, and by not constantly tweaking the throttle knob. Many times a loss of control is attributed to a low battery when it is not really the case, I've seen that at club shows - someone loses control fo their train and assumes i si the battery, so they swap batteries - but I can take the supposed "dead" battery and it works fine in another throttle for hours. You should be able to get several hours use at least out of a battery before it dies.
One of my to do projects is a little poking at the circuitry of one of my throttles to see if I can improve the power system (yes, this woudl void the warranty). Seems strange to me that circuitry that is goign t be 5V or 3.3V drops out by *v on the supply, a low dropout regulator should do much better than that. Alternately, I was thinkign a boost converter and driving it from a pair of AA batteries.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you want Powerex, check Amazon. Free, fast shipping also with specs and reviews.
I but mostly local, Amazon. lol. Prime also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
RR_Mel The reason they recommend Powerex is because the Powerex is 9.6 volts, most of the rechargeable 9 volt batteries are 7.2 volts. Mel
Thanks. That's one of the things I was wondering about.
rrinker You should be able to get several hours use at least out of a battery before it dies. --Randy
You should be able to get several hours use at least out of a battery before it dies.
I saw a digitrax video and the guy said something like a month of use from the battery. I was like, "yeah, right". As you said, I was getting several hours use out them. But they're still usable for other devices that aren't so sensitive to a drop in voltage.
I got mine here: http://www.thomasdistributing.com/Maha-Imedion-9V-96V-230-mAh-Low-Discharge-NIMH-Rechargeable-Battery_p_2455.html
mfm37 I got mine here: http://www.thomasdistributing.com/Maha-Imedion-9V-96V-230-mAh-Low-Discharge-NIMH-Rechargeable-Battery_p_2455.html
Yep, thnx. That's what and where I just ordered
The low self discharge is also key - unlike ordinary rechargeable batteries, they will retain their charge just sitting on the shelf. I use the AA variant (Sanyo Enloop brand) in my camera, and even if it's been sitting foor over a month, they aren;t dead. The old Energizer ones I had would be totally flat after that amount of time.