Digital Devices & Batteries

This topic has 34 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 3 August 2014 at 12:20 by Raymond Sanderson 2.

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1 August 2014 at 08:09 #159315
Raymond Sanderson 2
Participant
@raymondsanderson2
Bit of a rant to start.

I am sick of batteries of digital tools going flat just when you need them. Everything from measuring devices to lights.

I have 2 Vernier, one which last and last with its button battery the other auto turn off only and it discharges in no time even if not used or battery is removed. These two are same battery size.

Digital angle gauge large hard to come by in 12 months 3 batteries and its hardly used.

Excellent LED torch/light original batteries no recharge x 3 lasted for ages recharge type batteries AAA

I am considering buying a 2nd recharge station for in the shed so I can it on hand for AA AAA etc. That doesn't help with button batteries to.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Seriously looking at buy or going back to all analogue……………we have a wind up torch
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1 August 2014 at 08:09 #23435
Raymond Sanderson 2
Participant
@raymondsanderson2
1 August 2014 at 08:17 #159316
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Pick a device that does not remember the last setting, on these you are only turning off the display, it is still working to remember the settings. Failing that take the battery out, thats what I do on my 12" digicallipers as I don't use them that often.

J
1 August 2014 at 08:47 #159319
Bill Robley
Participant
@billrobley
Hi,

I have found that the majority of unbranded calipers come with alkaline button cells (usually LR44 or similar) which will, if left in the unit, discharge quite quickly. My Mitutoyo calipers use SR44 button cells which are silver oxide.

They last so well, I genuinely cannot remember when I last had to change them. It was years ago.

it's true they cost a little more, but the extended life far outweighs the extra cost and they can be found on the internet quite cheaply, but as ever, make sure you buy branded.

So far as AA & AAA batteries go. Temperature changes are the enemy there, if you keep them in the shed / garage and it gets cold in there, it will kill the batteries VERY quickly. you COULD try Lithium AA & AAA cells but I haven't tried them and so cannot offer any performance comparisons.

Hope this helps.
1 August 2014 at 10:12 #159326
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
All my verniers use poundland AG13 batteries so any battery change costs pennies
1 August 2014 at 12:25 #159339
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
Like you Ady, I use the cheap ones $NZ2 for a dozen.

I agree Jason. We'v been through this a number of times, so it's an on going thing. Ian S C
1 August 2014 at 14:31 #159356
Mark P.
Participant
@markp
Does anyone know if there is a simple way of connecting a wall wart to negate the use of CR2032 batteries as used in budget digital readouts? Mine use 2 CR2032's in each readout, and invariably go flat at inopportune moments.

Mark P.
1 August 2014 at 14:51 #159358
Les Jones 1
Participant
@lesjones1
Hi Mark,
You would need to give some more information to define exactly what you mean by "budget digital readouts"

Les.
1 August 2014 at 15:36 #159360
John McNamara
Participant
@johnmcnamara74883
Hi All

I use Maxcell Silver oxide Batteries in my digital callipers and mike they last a lot longer than Alkaline. Silver Oxide also has a different discharge profile to Alkaline maintaining a constant voltage until near the end of life.

Note: They offer two silver oxide types for different types of load. See Link Below.

**LINK**

Regards
John
1 August 2014 at 16:09 #159361
Mark P.
Participant
@markp
Hi Les, the budget readouts I refer to are the ones sold by Arceuortrade http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Measurement/Digital-Readouts-with-Dedicated-Remote-Display

These use 2 CR2032 cells in ( I assume) series to give six volts, I would like to run mine from an external power source for greater stability and not running out of juice at a critical moment.

Mark P
1 August 2014 at 17:01 #159371
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Posted by Mark P. on 01/08/2014 16:09:46:

Hi Les, the budget readouts I refer to are the ones sold by Arceuortrade http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Measurement/Digital-Readouts-with-Dedicated-Remote-Display

These use 2 CR2032 cells in ( I assume) series to give six volts, I would like to run mine from an external power source for greater stability and not running out of juice at a critical moment.

Mark P

The iGaging type with the remote readout that I use have two of the 2032 cells but they are in parallel and it will work with only one cell installed.

Most modern electronic devices are made to run on the lowest voltage possible and 6V for something like these devices would be unusual.

Ian

Edited By Ian Phillips on 01/08/2014 17:02:48
1 August 2014 at 17:18 #159375
Ed Duffner
Participant
@edduffner79357
I bought a digital Vernier calliper in 2008 from Maplins for £10. The LR44 that was in there lasted about 4 or 5 years but I didn't use it very much until I got my milling machine in 2011. I was told by a friend (who's dad was an electronics engineer) that touching a button battery with bare hands should be avoided as any skin oils or sweat can create a bridge between + and – causing power to dissipate and reduce battery life.
1 August 2014 at 17:27 #159377
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
These use 2 CR2032 cells in ( I assume) series to give six volts, I would like to run mine from an external power source for greater stability and not running out of juice at a critical moment

I had a 11-30Volt Counter unit which I ran on a 12V kiddies Train set controller

So if you can find something like that at 6V your problem is solved

Scalextic/Hornby 00 gauge etc, but I don't know what voltages they use

There are also those wall plug transformers which If memory serves go down to 5V, the ones with the funny 4-way jack on the end for plugging into calculators, mobile phones etc

Edited By Ady1 on 01/08/2014 17:41:03
1 August 2014 at 18:26 #159389
Les Jones 1
Participant
@lesjones1
Hi Mark,
Although I have never had any of these iGaging scales I know a bit about them as I have designed protocol converters to enable them to be used with DROs like the DRO350 which only support 2 x 24 bit protocol, I can confirm Ian's comment that the cells are in parallel as I have read that information elsewhere and it fits in with the fact that the read head part runs from about 3 volts. If you want to power them from the mains I would suggest using a LDO (Low drop out.) regulator such as the LE33 and feed this from a USB power supply. I suspect most of the battery power is drained when the are "switched off" as they are probably still on with the display blanked. I would think fitting a real on/off switch in one of the battery connections would go a long way to solving your problems. the easiest way to do this would probably be to mount the batteries in a separate box with a switch. ( I suspect that there is not enough room in the display unit to mount a switch.)

Les.
1 August 2014 at 19:55 #159398
Mark P.
Participant
@markp
Hi Les, thanks for the info. I’m not really sure how I will connect to the unit should I try to make a dummy battery as I don’t want to “tinker” too much in the gibblets of the read out.

Mark P
1 August 2014 at 20:06 #159399
Les Jones 1
Participant
@lesjones1
HI Mark,
I think making a dummy battery (You only need to make one for each scale.) is a good idea and a dummy back to avoid having to drill a hole for the wire in the original. One other point if you plan to use batteries I think I have seen cards of lithium button cells (CR2032, CR2025 and CR2016) in some of the pound shops. Even if you only use one of the tree types it is still cheaper than buying them in other places.

Les.
2 August 2014 at 00:43 #159424
Raymond Sanderson 2
Participant
@raymondsanderson2
Wow what a response thanks to all. I in future when buying button batteries shall look closer as to what I am buying as in Alkaline or Silver Oxide.

One thing I do not agree on here is price of the tool used!! It doesn't matter if its a cheap $20 or $150 or even $300 tool which needs batteries they still use batteries.

Yes life of the batteries differs in many of the things I have which uses them some are rechargeable AA AAA, but button batteries . Although somewhere in cyberspace I have seen a set up to charge button batteries in sequence of course many AA AAA's are just that in cylinder form.

Oh I do have one vernier which I have to remove the battery still just as I go to need to use it the battery is dying erratic or dead.

This was not meant to be just about Vernier as I also have a number of other digital measure devices such as digital angle gauge, digital voltage meter electrical tester, digital energy usage gauge, digital calculator, LED lights.

I do how ever have a cheap cheap cheap analogue type think it cost me $5 no dial gauge just eye ball for rough measurements.

How does one walk (in my case roll) around the workshop tethered to a power output with any tool supposed to be portable take anywhere to use??????
2 August 2014 at 08:28 #159433
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 02/08/2014 00:43:47

button batteries in sequence of course many AA AAA's are just that in cylinder form.

.

Raymond,

Permit me, please, to correct you on that point …

AA and AAA sizes are generally reserved for single cells

Yes, you will find small cylindrical batteries made of stacked button-cells; but not in those sizes.

This forum being what it is; someone will presumably now find the "exception that proves that rule.

MichaelG.
2 August 2014 at 10:19 #159441
Neil Lickfold
Participant
@neillickfold44316
I needed a new digital calliper, so this time I brought a solar powered one, that does not need a battery to be replaced. Some told me that they don't work well in low light. So far, the light level that won't make the calliper work, is not enough light for me to see what I am doing anyway.

I really like it.

Neil
2 August 2014 at 11:10 #159458
V8Eng
Participant
@v8eng
How does one walk (in my case roll) around the workshop tethered to a power output with any tool supposed to be portable take anywhere to use??????

Hi Raymond.

I suppose you could make a small battery pack to attach to a belt or something similar, a lead could then go to the instrument?

Electronic stores keep battery holders and boxes, (perhaps using rechargeables), it could then be a case of deciding how to get the right voltage output, many excellent suggestions for that already on here.

OOPS, just realised some of this is covered by Les Jones post, my apologies for that unintentional error!

Edited By V8Eng on 02/08/2014 11:24:32
2 August 2014 at 12:40 #159474
Raymond Sanderson 2
Participant
@raymondsanderson2
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 02/08/2014 08:28:08:

Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 02/08/2014 00:43:47

button batteries in sequence of course many AA AAA's are just that in cylinder form.

.

Raymond,

Permit me, please, to correct you on that point …

AA and AAA sizes are generally reserved for single cells

Yes, you will find small cylindrical batteries made of stacked button-cells; but not in those sizes.

This forum being what it is; someone will presumably now find the "exception that proves that rule.

MichaelG.

Michael I only knew of this through another forum some years back otherwise I would not have mentioned it.

I did eventually pull apart AA battery and yes there they were.
2 August 2014 at 12:41 #159475
Raymond Sanderson 2
Participant
@raymondsanderson2
Posted by Neil Lickfold on 02/08/2014 10:19:19:

I needed a new digital calliper, so this time I brought a solar powered one, that does not need a battery to be replaced. Some told me that they don't work well in low light. So far, the light level that won't make the calliper work, is not enough light for me to see what I am doing anyway.

I really like it.

Neil

Neil its been a while since I saw such with solar I'll keep an eye out for one. Were they not back lit?
2 August 2014 at 12:43 #159476
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 02/08/2014 12:40:07:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 02/08/2014 08:28:08:

Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 02/08/2014 00:43:47

I did eventually pull apart AA battery and yes there they were.

Raymond, 'what' were there?

I looked at the preceeding posts and could not make out what was being referred to.

Ian
2 August 2014 at 12:44 #159477
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 02/08/2014 12:40:07:

I did eventually pull apart AA battery and yes there they were.

.

Raymond,

… [stacked] ?

May I just ask what voltage that AA battery was ?

Thanks

MichaelG.
2 August 2014 at 12:47 #159478
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Posted by Raymond Sanderson 2 on 02/08/2014 12:41:32:

Posted by Neil Lickfold on 02/08/2014 10:19:19:

I needed a new digital calliper, so this time I brought a solar powered one, that does not need a battery to be replaced. Some told me that they don't work well in low light. So far, the light level that won't make the calliper work, is not enough light for me to see what I am doing anyway.

I really like it.

Neil

Neil its been a while since I saw such with solar I'll keep an eye out for one. Were they not back lit?

Could this be a new form of perpetual energy? (the solar cell being illuminated/driven by the backlight) If it worked in the dark it would be 'awesome' as my granddaughters say.

Ian
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