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Battery Tests
 

Battery Tests


 

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.

SK50 Battery Usage Chart

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.

SKM3072 Battery Usage Chart

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.

SK250 Battery Usage Chart

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.

SKM5000 Battery Usage Chart

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.


 



CONSUMER ALERT

Most users do not need a license to operate this wireless microphone system. Nevertheless, operating this microphone system without a license is subject to certain restrictions: the system may not cause harmful interference; it must operate at a low power level (not in excess of 50 milliwatts); and it has no protection from interference received from any other device. Purchasers should also be aware that the FCC is currently evaluating use of wireless microphone systems, and these rules are subject to change. For more information, call the FCC at 1-888- CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC) or visit the FCC’s wireless microphone website at www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones.