Battery life
is a critical issue for most wireless mic users. Masque Sound tested different
batteries in various transmitters, measuring their voltage over a period
of time. The resulting graphs that were generated are presented here.
Although the results of these tests are not strictly scientific, they
are actual results with random batteries. Masque Sound provides this information
only as a service to wireless users.
No warranty of actual performance is implied or suggested.
Test Conditions
• The same transmitter was used to test each of the batteries
shown in each graph.
• A data-logging multimeter was used to sample the battery voltage
every 30 seconds.
• Each transmitter was checked to insure that its current draw met
published manufacturers specs.
• Each battery tested was a new battery with a short “shelf
life”, purchased specifically for these tests.
• Each transmitter was tested with no audio input. Bench tests show
that actual modulation causes almost no perceptible change in the current
draw of the transmitter.
Sennheiser
SK50 with two AA batteries
The graph below shows the comparative battery life of various AA batteries
in a SK50 body pack transmitter.
The SK50 graph cuts
off at 1.75 volts, which is where the transmitter stops operating. The lines
at 2.5 and 2 volts show where the battery sled indication changes from high
to medium and medium to low respectively. The Energizer and Everactive batteries
lasted 1.5 to 2 hours longer than the Duracell family of batteries.
Sennheiser
SKM3072 with one 9v battery
The graph below shows the comparative battery life of various 9v batteries
in a SKM3072 hand held transmitter.
Notice that the
Lithium battery lasted almost 26 hours and the alkaline batteries between
9.5 and 11 hours. The Walgreen Supercell test was interrupted before it
was complete, but the data suggests that it was not performing as well as
the other brands.
Sennheiser
SK250 with three AA batteries
The graph below shows the comparative battery life
of various AA batteries in a SK250 body pack transmitter.
The SK250 graph
cuts off at 2.5 volts, which is where the transmitter stops operating. The
lines at 3.6 and 2.8 volts show where the battery sled indication changes
from high to medium and medium to low respectively. The lithium batteries
lasted between 30 minutes and 2 hours longer than the alkaline batteries.
It should be noted that the same transmitter was not used for each of the
tests in this instance.
Sennheiser
SKM5000 with two AA batteries
The graph below shows the comparative battery life of various AA batteries
in a SKM5000 hand held transmitter.
The SKM5000 graph
cuts off at 1.7 volts, which is where the transmitter stops operating. The
lines at 2.6 and 2.2 volts show where the battery sled indication changes
from high to medium and medium to low respectively.
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