DMM Batteries?

[Russ]

My Fluke 179 arrived today. I was wondering why they chose to go with a single 9v battery, when many others use AA or AAA cells? What are the advantages or disadvantages of the 9 volt cell?

Thanks
Russ

[rawrs]

Sorry for my answer to contain solely a video, but, I actually remember a video on this. I haven't watched it yet, but it has shown up in my suggestions. I'm about to watch it right now, myself. Hope this helps!



TL;DW, battery life. That video leads me to believe that AA's are more energy dense than 9v batteries, as 9v batteries are basically just 6 AAAA batteries jammed into a case and wired together. By using four AA's in the 121GW, for example, you can get a lot more battery life.

[Ian.M]

OTOH due to their construction, 9V PP3 alkaline batteries very rarely leak, and if they do its unusual for the electrolyte to reach the tops of the terminals and damage spring contact battery holders, or if a PP3 battery clip is used its much easier to replace the clip, so 9V PP3 batteries may still have an advantage if you value high reliability and long storage shelf life above operating hours and battery cost.

[Russ]

Thanks. My experience with Coppertop AA and AAA batteries, is that they usually leak. They are know for this. I refuse to use Coppertops or Ray-O-Vacs.

Thanks

[Synthtech]

I agree, those things leak like there’s no tomorrow, I won’t let them near any of my equipment.

[tooki]

My Fluke 179 arrived today. I was wondering why they chose to go with a single 9v battery, when many others use AA or AAA cells? What are the advantages or disadvantages of the 9 volt cell?

Also bear in mind that the 179 (like the 87V and others) is a Fluke model that's been around a while. The newer models (like the 28 II) do, in fact, use AA batteries.

[rawrs]

If you're worried about leaking, try lithium batteries. Yes, they are expensive as all get-out, but I've never had one leak, and it'll last you a good long time, with a decade-long (if not more) shelf life. There are also some alkalines out there that are guaranteed with a decade-long shelf life, IIRC, so these might be worth going for, as well. They might not be as prone to leaking.

[wilfred]

If you use the meter regularly take the batteries out when they are drained. If you use the meter only occasionally take the batteries out when you put it away for  a some time. Say more than a month.

Drained batteries are the ones that leak. Or ones that die on the shelf.

No one has ever had batteries leak in something they use regularly. And you can't and don't need to spend extra to try to eliminate leakage.

I'd tend to dismiss assertions that brand X leaks profusely. Just don't leave batteries in unused products and change batteries annually in clocks, remotes, and so on.

You'll be leak free.

[Russ]

Thanks. I also have Dave’s Eevblog (Bryman 235) meter. I’m not sure, but didn’t he not recommend the use of lithium batteries in it? I may be mistaken.

Thank you

[malagas_on_fire]

Thanks. I also have Dave’s Eevblog (Bryman 235) meter. I’m not sure, but didn’t he not recommend the use of lithium batteries in it? I may be mistaken.

Thank you

In the manual it states that you should discharge the lithium batteries before use, because they have a nominal voltage of 1.8V and the alkaline batteries has 1.5V, which are the recommended voltage.

My question is if i can use NIMH cells, but the meter doesn't drain much battery so they might selft discharge before than by usage..

[Russ]

I believe that I may have rechargeable niHm cells in my Eevblog meter at this time. I’ll have to check.

Thanks

[bc888]

The voltage of Nimh closely parallels the Alkalines and work great. I measured one of my new Eneloops yesterday at 1.42V just charged. Works great in my Eevblog BM235. Most importantly, Ikea Ladda's and Eneloops are not known to leak like Alkaline Duracells.

[PTR_1275]

I was doing a cleanup the other day and I saw my first eneloop to ever leak. Admittedly the battery was probably 10-12 years old and was sitting in this box for about 8 years.

It hadn’t leaked like the alkaline do by spewing liquid, but I noticed a small amount of powdery substance near the edge of the outer label.

[Russ]

The voltage of Nimh closely parallels the Alkalines and work great. I measured one of my new Eneloops yesterday at 1.42V just charged. Works great in my Eevblog BM235. Most importantly, Ikea Ladda's and Eneloops are not known to leak like Alkaline Duracells.

IKEA Ladda’s are actually rebranded Eneloop Pros, just relabeled and much cheaper. 👍

[malagas_on_fire]

Well in that case i'll let the stock finishes and then use the lexman rechargeable AAA batteries for BM235. They do not self discharge too much either.