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Rechargeable 9V batterries for DMM or Alkaline only?
JenniferG:
I was wondering if it's okay to use rechargeable 9V batteries in portable DMM's instead of Alkaline; i.e. to save money over time? If not, how about the cheap Amazon branded 9V alkaline batteries?
https://www.amazon.com/EBL-Rechargeable-Batteries-Everyday-Detector/dp/B00H3ZXCNM
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Performance-All-Purpose-Batteries/dp/B0B4RSNDPG
Kleinstein:
There are different types of rechargeble 9 V batteries. Some have 7 cells and some have 6 cells and thus a slightly lower voltage. It than also depends on the meter at which voltage they complain about insufficient voltage and show the battery symbol. It may happen that a meter will show low battery with a 6 cell block rather fast, as the nominal voltage of NiMH of some 1.2 to 1.24 V is about there where alkaline cells are considered empty. If the DMM is OK with some 7 V, than things are OK with a rechargible battery. Ideally this should be a low self discharge one, like the pre-charged ones, not an more old style high current one. In most cases there is not that much money to be saved, as a DMM usually does not need that many batteries. It still depends on the meter and use. The rechargible cells also have a limited life time and may thus only get very few charge cycles. The other reason to use them is the lower chance of leakage.
It is hard to tell if the amazon or similar cheap 9 V blocks are OK. Some are and some are poor. Expensive alkaline cells can also leak. If leakage is the main issue, long life Lithium primary cells may be an option too. I would have a slight problem with buying 12 batteries, as this would last for quite a long time and the shelf life is limited.
tooki:
I wouldn’t do it in a meter not expressly designed for them (for example, some of the Keysight models, which charge the battery via the input jacks). On the one hand, you’ll get low battery indications more often, but also, most meters’ battery compartments aren’t designed to be opened that frequently.
HighVoltage:
It depends on the DMM
I am using some 9V 600mAh EBL (6F22) on some DMM and current clamps with really good success on those devices that have low battery indicator below 8.0 V. The EBL have around 8.4V idle voltage when fully charged.
Any DMM that shows a low battery indicator at a higher voltage, I am still using Alkaline.
J-R:
Since we know from your other thread that you are most likely doing data logging, the best off-the-shelf solution seems like a Lithium-Ion rechargeable 9V @ about 600mAh:
https://www.eblofficial.com/products/9v-rechargeable-batteries
Note: check into the low-voltage behavior of the DMM. If it is going to freak out at say 8.5V, then these are probably not going to work.
There is also the 1200mAh Ultralife 9V Lithium (primary, non-rechargeable), but they are going to be expensive if you're really burning through them. Retail price is between $10-$15 each, but I've had good luck on ebay buying the 10 packs for just under $50.
Note: these are every so slightly larger than a standard 9V (still within spec, according to them, though). So in some rare cases they may not fit.
Some will cry foul, but you could also try an external supply or battery pack depending on the use case.
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