Karaoke Forums

More of a tip than a question.

I was in a Dollar General store a few weeks ago and saw they had Dollar General brand Alkaline 9V batteries for $1.50 a piece.

Now generally, I reach for 'name brand' batteries, but I thought at $1.50 a piece, i'll buy four and toss 'em in my gig bag as emergency batteries.

As luck would have it, a few days later I found myself in an emergency, and put a brand new DG 9V battery in each of my Nady DKW-DUO mics.

I switch them on when I hand them to the singer, and then switch them off between singers. I've been running the same batteries ever since.

Two and a half weeks of three 4 hour shows a night.. so the last 7 gigs, plus an 8 hour long private party.. and they're still going strong.

At a buck and a half a battery, they're about half the price I usually pay for 'name brand' batteries.

What do you guys use?

I usually use Energizer brand, but my cordless set only gets used for private gigs, usually weddings.

Whatever 'alkaline' is on sale.

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That is interesting. We have Dollar TREE in our area and get our 9 volts there. Sometimes they even come in a 2-pack for a dollar. But our Nady's use them at about 1 per 5 hour show--or sometimes 2 shows. We don't turn them off between singers.

We did discover they can be used alot longer past when the "change battery" light comes on. The other thing is--I have tested each one that we have replaced and they test "good" so you can get double use out of them in something less intense like a small radio after you retire them from the mics.

Don't like the landfill problem, however. Just got some rechargables that supposedly work in mics according to a DJ site and will see how that goes.

Also--better brand batteries last a bit longer but not long enough to justify paying 4 to 6 times more.

I picked up a bunch of NiMH rechargeables and haven't bought batteries in years. Best investment I ever made. Thane again my mics use AA's so your mileage may vary.

Back when I was buying disposables, the best prices I found were at BatteryJunction.com.

I guess 9-volt rechargables have always been trickier to use than AAs. On a DJ site they recommended a specific brand of rechargables from Battery Junction as actually working well. I ordered them and the charger last January. Then they had a fire in their warehouse and the order was delayed. Finally they are back up and running but the specific brand of battery I ordered is indefinitely backordered. So, as I already paid last January, I said to substitute another brand and if they don't work in the mics, we will use them in something else. Will test them this Sat and let you know. I guess the real proof will be in the ability to keep recharging them and have them hold the charge so will keep you posted on that, also.

Grab Walgreen's alkaline when they're on sale .....use for only one show....change with a new for next show, take the used one, and use it in home mics, or other electronics around the house....I always use fresh batteries for a gig.

Just as an update.. I just finished my regular Tuesday and Wednesday night gigs using the same batteries.

I'll definitely be buying more of these next time i'm at the DG store.

I do use Dollar Deal Sunbeam Alkalines ( 4/$1) on occasion, but I love the Walgreen's brand. They last forever, and sometimes they put out promo packs- something like 24 AAs for $10

How about 6 9v for under $5?

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

I used to buy batteries in bulk like that too, then I did the math. Even at your discount price above: Two batteries per mic + two mics = $1.66 per show. Two shows per week = $172+ a year in batteries. Even more during the busy seasons.

Or, you can get a charger and 8 NiMH rechargeable AA's for $45, rotate them and they will last much more than a year. Even if you got two full shows out of standard batteries (a tall order), it's still cheaper to go rechargeable.

Not that anyone is waiting breathlessly, but we didn't get a chance to try out our new 9-volt rechargables yet. Maybe next week.

Works great ,,,cept I have 9v mics. I've got 16 10,000 mah d batteries that I bought for my altec lansing ipod speaker 3 years ago. I've put hundreds of hours on them, no problems.

Twice I've bought rechargeable 9v batteries. Both experiences left a sour taste in my mouth. Been using alkalines since.

I heard long ago that there isn't much difference in "generic" vs duracell or energizer.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

I have bought this deal in the past:

http://www.audimutesoundproofing.com/9- ... -bulk.aspx

Most recently I have been buying these at Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_318749-11637-6L ... 26page%3D8

I would never buy from those guys. Did you see their "sound expert" on the left side of the page!!!! A little scary!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

They display at out local expo computer shows and supersales. They seem to be decent people. I got the 212 battery deal for $150 the one time. With 4 mics that use 9 volt I go threw about 300 nie volts a year.

Tried the 9-volt rechargables in the announcer mic last night (singer mic was still good and didn't need switching.) The battery lasted for a 5 hour show and the "change battery" light hasn't come on yet. I hear the trouble people have had with 9 volts is getting the battery to last long enough after recharging so I will report on that once we have to do it.

The battery that was listed by a DJ site as actually working well was indefinitely back-ordered so I had let them make a substitution figuring we can use the batteries in a radio if they don't work in the mics. The brand we are trying is Tenergy 250 mAh nickel/Metal/Hydride from Battery Junction. They charge in two hours.