Is there a better way to check battery level...

Started by toddharris, September 13, 2015, 07:48:29 AM

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toddharris

Hi, love gigging my SC Dlx, but hate having to open the electronics cavity and pull the battery ahead of gigs to check remaking power. Is there a device, cable or way to use the output jack of the bass to see the level?  Best regards, Todd

jazzyvee

The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

toddharris

That's the ticket!  Perfect and thanks so much.  $17 on eBay!  What a time saver!

willgunn

Thanks for the great tip, Delano - I just ordered one myself from Amazon....$16.99 including shipping!

room037

Hi,
 
Alembic use switch jack for 1/4 phone. ( I think all models use it, not only series instruments.)  
So This checker is not working, it is for stereo jack as ring - sleeve wiring power supply.
 
Eiji

smokin_dave

Just ordered one myself too.Had no idea such a useful tool of this type existed.Groovy.

toddharris

Fiji, thanks for that. What a shame. Would have been perfect.  Hey Jayzee - did yours work on an Alembic?

lbpesq

Me too!  Too bad it won't work with a Series instrument (18v)
 
Bill, tgo

room037

It's not voltage issue, you never reach battery wirering from 1/4 phone.  
If you want to use this battery tester, you can change switch jack to stereo jack (TRS jack).
I did it my Hamer B12-S with activator circuit.
I don't use this tester, but stereo jack wirering is working fine.
 
Series instrument are different because stereo wirering.
It means tip and ring for signal. There is No way to covert.
 
P.S.
Anniv. Circuit is stereo wirering for signal as Series inst.
It needs switch jack.
 
Eiji
 
(Message edited by room037 on September 13, 2015)
 
(Message edited by room037 on September 13, 2015)

terryc

Non series electronics using 9V battery especially top grade alkaline will last about a year(depending on use and not left  plugged in)
See Must Reads/FAQ section.
I have a built in indicator...front face LED's, when they go dull I recharge the battery as I use very expensive rechargables

jazzyvee

I haven't used mine for years because I can't find it but i'm pretty certain it worked fine as it was in my orion guitar case when I was scared about it going flat during a gig. Unless that is, for the reasons others have mentioned above it was mis-reporting. I will have another look for it when I get home and report back.
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

jazzyvee

There you go guys I even filmed it in action plugged into my Orion guitar. It shows I have 3 hrs battery life left.. Not sure how that's worked out.  
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4yo0hc0aapj1jcu/IMG_1249.MOV?dl=0
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ktwins.html

terryc

Current drain of circuit/battery current remaining I would imagine

room037

I modified this way for my Alembicised Hamer.
 
Most of the active circuit instruments are wired with stereo (TRS) jack.
 
I found a description about How to use Batt-O-Meter at Japanese distributor web site.
The description said  it only work on such circuit. (that I said Stereo TRS jack)    
 
Wait for a while to click on Amazon, check the cavity first !
 
Eiji

hieronymous

Eiji san - Alembicized 12-string Hamer - I bet that is amazing!