Battery 411 Blog

Many of our customers rely on wireless microphones to conduct church services or other productions. They all agree installing a fresh battery before every performance is a must because low battery power means, without warning, no sound! But changing batteries after one or two uses, while offering the performer peace of mind, frequently leaves a battery half full but out of commission, for example a 9 volt battery could have as much as 8 volts of useable power remaining.

So the questions is, are you a battery half full or a battery half empty kind of person? The latter throws out perfectly good batteries before they’re drained, which is a waste, while the former finds ways to use that power instead of tossing it. All it takes is a little thought so let’s get creative!

In critical situations - always use fresh batteries. But for less demanding events a partly drained battery still has plenty of punch!

Previously used batteries are perfect for:

• Rehearsals
• Small group settings
• Toys
• Cordless appliances
• Donations to schools
• Telephone handsets
• Extra flashlights
• Portable electronics

See how simple? Just keep your fresh batteries separate from your used ones or buy capped 9 volts so you can tell them apart (when the cap is off, the battery is used) and you can get hours of power from batteries you might otherwise have thrown out. Just remember, batteries are constantly losing juice due to heat, humidity, and the volatile chemicals inside the casing. It is a good idea to make a note on the battery itself or keep a tally sheet indicating the date the battery was installed and the hours it is used.

You would think all 9 volt batteries would be the same size and fit into your device perfectly, right? After all they are all 9 volts. But to the surprise of many people, there are very small differences in the size of 9 volt batteries, even in brand name 9v batteries such as Energizer (or Energizer Industrial) and Duracell (or Duracell Procell). The Energizer 9 volt battery is approximately 1/16” taller than the Duracell Procell 9 Volt battery. This plays a significant role in 9v batteries fitting into a device properly. Most people do not realize there may be a difference in 9 volt battery size because it is impossible to tell just by looking at the 9v battery. The size variation in 9v batteries can leave many frustrated.

There are indeed ‘battery standards’ for battery manufacturers to follow. The dimensions for 9 volt batteries are H 48 mm × L 25 mm × W 15 mm (1.9 in × 1 in × 0.6 in). However these standards still allow for size variance for a 9 volt battery. The maximum size permitted, for example, is 48.5 mm × 26.5 mm × 17.5 mm. The result: electronic devices are not always designed with excess space in the battery cavity, resulting in cavity design that will not accept 9 volt batteries of all manufacturers. Many of the cheaper, no brand name 9 volt batteries, for example, are too wide for electronic devices. Cheaper batteries are almost always too wide because it allows manufacturers to get away with using less expensive materials.

How do you decide which 9 volt battery is right for your device? Duracell vs Energizer 9 Volt? A correctly fitting 9v battery should just drop in the battery cavity. Another helpful tip when replacing a 9 volt battery is to stick with the same battery brand so there is no cavity distortion over time and connectivity issues do not arise. If you are using a Duracell Procell 9v battery, replace that battery with another Duracell 9 volt battery. If you are using an Energizer or Energizer Industrial 9 Volt battery, continue to use the Energizer brand 9 volt for best performance. Because of the size difference of 9v batteries, switching between battery brands can lead to damaging the device. Your best bet - check your device manufacturer’s recommendation for correctly fitting 9v batteries or call [Medic Batteries], we’ll be happy to help.

In Georgia believe it or not, it’s against the law to say “Oh boy” in public. Michigan however, recently passed some wiser legislation. In an effort to reduce the tragically high number of deaths from smoke inhalation, Michigan state law, effective March 14, 2007, now requires smoke alarms to be installed in all residential buildings built before November 6th, 1974. Thankfully, after this date smoke alarms were mandatory so newer buildings are safer but it’s a welcome sight so see such intelligent legislation finally hitting the books.

The new rules were enacted in response to startling statistics regarding the safety benefits of smoke alarms. The death rate in homes containing smoke alarms is 50% lower than in homes without them. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? 50%! Hundreds of lives will be saved in Michigan this year alone thanks to the little smoke alarm and, by extension, the little 9 volt battery, which is where [Medic Batteries] comes in because customer safety is our top priority. Most smoke detectors rely on 9 volt batteries for power but not all 9 volts batteries are alike and understanding the difference can literally save your life. At [Medic Batteries], we’re passionate about quality, we understand the 9 volt battery inside and out, and we want you to make the right choice.Here are some 9 volt battery facts:

• All 9 volts are not sized the same. There are slight variations from brand to brand.
• The smallest size discrepancy can dramatically effect performance
• Lithium 9 volts provide the most reliable, lasting power
• Rechargeable 9 volts lose their charge too quickly
• Rechargeable 9 volts must be drained before being recharged

Michigan’s law specifically requires the smoke detector power source to be, “A non-rechargeable battery that is capable of operating the smoke alarm in the normal condition for a life of 5 years.” This means a lithium 9 volt battery as far as we’re concerned but if you have any questions about 9 volt batteries for your smoke detector, please contact us. Our customer service is NOT an answering machine! We will answer the phone, answer your questions and point you toward the perfect battery for your device. We’ll even ship our bulk, discount batteries directly to your door! Just be careful when you open the package – if you live in Georgia don’t yell, “Oh boy!”