Best batteries for today's ANR headsets.

AggieMike88

AggieMike88

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Jan 13, 2010
Messages
20,805
Location
Denton, TX
Display Name
Display name:
The original "I don't know it all" of aviation.
Which brand and model of AA battery are folks getting the most use for today's ANR headsets?

Other aviation forums mention long use from the lithium's like

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA Batteries, (24 Count) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C4PP8FK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_6cyjBbMY8XMHV​

Is anyone using any rechargeable batteries?

I love my Lightspeed ANR headset with Bluetooth... but lately it seems to chew through batteries fairly quickly. Even with the auto off feature enabled.

One feature I wish could be installed via firmware would be a battery level indicator. Battery death always happens in flight when I don't have spares or I'm busy flying the plane and can't stop to switch in some spares. So a level indicator to check during preflight would be useful.
 
Savvy buyer alert....

Why pay so much for a pack of 24 when 2 x 12 saves you 0.006 of an AMU

28853029-EAD9-4A60-873D-4D360DC07D32.jpeg
 
There is an indicator in their flightlink app. I get about 12 hrs, no BT mostly on amazon batteries
 
I get about a month’s worth of flying out of a pair of AAs for my DC Pro X. Doesn’t seem to matter much with regard to the brand, so I just buy a bulk amount of whatever special my local hardware store is running at the moment. Currently I’ve got Duracell batteries in the headset.
 
kayoh190 said:
I get about a month’s worth of flying out of a pair of AAs for my DC Pro X. Doesn’t seem to matter much with regard to the brand, so I just buy a bulk amount of whatever special my local hardware store is running at the moment. Currently I’ve got Duracell batteries in the headset.
Click to expand...

Same here with my DC One-X.
I do the same thing - cheapest bulk pack at Costco and keep some spares in the plane.
 
A friend runs large sound systems with lotsa cordless mics.
He graphed how long different batteries lasted.
Now he only buys Energizer batteries in bulk.
 
Whatever I find at work, Duracell procell, normal Duracell, energizer, I really don't see a huge difference, I'm not sensitive to these things, it's kinda like toilet paper, whatever's on sale.


So I just looked up the procell, because I don't know anything about them other than we have a huge box, please, for the love of god, tell me these arnt actually frequently asked question

https://www.duracell.com/en-us/help/faq/my-child-likes-to-play-with-batteries-is-this-ok
 
Last edited:
It's pretty simple for me. Every year at annual I replace the batteries in my handheld radio (that is kept in the glove box) and my flashlights. Those batteries, Duracells, go into to a Ziploc and are thrown into the glove box. They run my headsets for the following year. I always have more used batteries than what my headsets consume in a year.

Personally, I've had way too many issues with eveready energizers taking a chit inside of various equipment over the years. I swore them off long ago.
 
I have been over satisfied with the price : performance of the Energizer Lithium, the one down side is it goes green to dead on my LS Z2's super quick (as opposed to alkalines that would give me at least one flight's warning they were about to go). So ready spares a must, advice I ignored for this week's trip in my shared airplane, with the resultant 2.4 hour less-than-stellar non-ANR performance this morning on the flight home.
 
I use low self discharge NiMH rechargeables. I have both Eneloops and Duracells and never get to the point where a set is fully discharged as I replace them with spares I keep in my flight bag when I think of it in as little as about 7 hrs or as much as 15 hrs. Recharge the used ones and put them into the flight bag for the future. With rechargeables there's no need to try and stretch their life until they stop working. Use them partially and recharge when you can. And lot self discharge means that they will not lose charge when stored in my flight bag.

IIRC Lightspeed recommends against using rechargeable batteries in their headsets, but I have had no issues with either a Zulu 2 or a Sierra.
 
Most of my batteries are provided by my employer. When we were getting Lithiums, they were great. I'd typically get almost an entire tour out of one set, however as mentioned by others, when lithiums die, they die quick and with little warning. Lately it's been Duracell or Energizer. On the rare occasion that Ray-o-Vacs are provided I'll take them, toss them straight into the recycle bin then go buy my own.
 
I just get the monster pack of AA alkalines at sams club, throw a handfull or two in the flight bag and don't worry about it. I generally don't change batteries for a couple months so I don't worry too much about it.
 
If you want gory details and “science”, this dude went nuts.

http://goughlui.com/2016/12/19/great-aa-alkaline-battery-test-pt-1-battery-testing-fundamentals/

Summary was there IS a difference in quality of alkalines and the big brands won’t be the best performers, unless you buy the very top of their model lineup. And if you do, the price per unit makes those the wrong choice.

Some interesting data. Keep in mind it’s two years old.

If the electronics you’re powering can handle the minor voltage difference between alkaline (which he shows don’t hold their voltage constant very well anyway and all gadget designers also know this) and NiMH, the higher capacity name brand NiMH rechargeables whip up on alkalines these days.

Really lithium are silly unless, as someone here noted, someone else is buying. Their price points are way too high to make them competitive in a value comparison. If you need to store batteries for 15-20 years, they’re great.

Besides that, they don’t have a lot of other pluses unless your doing things that have high peak current over super short durations of time. But if you aren’t paying, someone else can sure hand you them for free to you and you won’t have anything to complain about.

If you’re buying, they’re probably not worth it for a typical aviation headset.
 
Just curious as to how much one has to fly to make this even worth contemplating. I usually log about 100 hours per year and I might use 8 or 10 USED alkalines for that amount of flying. That doesn't come close to making the radar screen of cost.
 
James331 said:
Whatever I find at work, Duracell procell, normal Duracell, energizer, I really don't see a huge difference, I'm not sensitive to these things, it's kinda like toilet paper, whatever's on sale.
Click to expand...

I find toilet paper much less interchangeable than batteries - Costco makes the best. I agree on batteries - just grab whatever major brand is a good deal. Don't go with the junk generics.
 
The drain on my Zulu.2 is so low that I can't get worked up over battery brand. I tend to use the standard duracells (from Sams or Costco). I go through them slowly enough that it's never an issue.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Which brand and model of AA battery are folks getting the most use for today's ANR headsets?

One feature I wish could be installed via firmware would be a battery level indicator. Battery death always happens in flight when I don't have spares or I'm busy flying the plane and can't stop to switch in some spares. So a level indicator to check during preflight would be useful.
Click to expand...

From a process perspective: I have a nylon bag that has the sole purpose of holding fresh batteries. It is always where I can find it by touch without having to stop flying the plane.

From a tech standpoint: The Lightspeed power light will flash green normally and red when the battery is getting low. It will also shut off BT to preserve batteries. When it does this, there is approximately 30 minutes of battery life left in my experience. So plenty of time to reach back, find the nylon bag and swap the batteries when it's safe to divide your attention.
 
A better solution is to install LEMO jacks in your plane and send the headset in for a new cord. The best battery then also starts your airplane and AA batteries are only used if the aircraft power source fails.
 
My worry is leaking alkalines. I've had an entire box of Kirkland's leak just sitting in my climate controlled house after only 1 year.

For that reason it's Eneloops for everyday use, good quality alkalines that I think won't leak for backup and Energizer Lithiums for emergencies.
 
I am one of those that buys batteries by the truckload...and exclusively Duracell.

We work in among other areas in pro audio and chew through AA batteries in wireless mics like Viagra at the Villages, FL. They get changed EVERY day if not every session...and we just did an event with 49 channels of wireless over three days each taking 2 AA.

There is more to alkaline batteries than just longevity. In my world, my devices need the top 10% o the power band and voltage to maintain their strength. If you look at how long a battery holds its true voltage before dropping off, Duracell has them beat. Energizer may last longer, but the voltage drop starts quicker. Think of it in terms of Vx and Vy...all depends on what you need the performance to do, get higher quicker or get higher longer.

A higher power device will wanna see that max voltage last longer where something like a smoke alarm does not care as much about voltage only needs longevity.

Some rechargeable technology is getting there, but in my world unless I was in a budget conscious environment like a church that needed them day in and day out the technology is still not there for mission critical applications unless the batteries are specifically engineered with and in a device. We don't trust our client contracts to rechargeables
 
I've had so many Duracells leak over the years I don't touch them any more. I too stick to low self discharge NiMH for almost everything and just put them on a every couple month recharge all the things(and all the spares) cycle.
 
Whatever is on sale except for the ones they sell at Harbor Freight. Those don't last very long.
 
Ive used Kirkland batteries for everything for years and never had a package leak ... oh wait - I had a set of AAAs in a handheld hunting GPS that I forgot in my pack for a year ... they leaked (fortunately, just a little).
 
flyingron said:
The drain on my Zulu.2 is so low that I can't get worked up over battery brand. I tend to use the standard duracells (from Sams or Costco). I go through them slowly enough that it's never an issue.
Click to expand...
Yep, every 30 hours or so. Not quite so good with the 3Gs
 
Every brand of battery I have ever used has leaked. So for me it's which one will stand behind their product without making me jump through extraneous hoops.

Duracell has always replaced or compensated without unnecessary trouble.
 
I've used rechargeable batteries in my headsets for at least the past 10 years. No real brand preference.
 
When I’m done flying I usually take one battery out. Seems to make the batteries last longer.
 
I use Duracell’s from the big box stores. Have one headset that doesn’t always shut itself off ,when not being used. Try to keep spares in the airplane.
 
frfly172 said:
Try to keep spares in the airplane.
Click to expand...
I do. I found this holder to be very useful.

E3F334D1-580C-4F82-AB2B-F88BE57A28F2.jpeg

Unused batteries are loaded button side up. When changing in a fresh set, the used ones I just pulled go into the holder button side down.
 
gkainz said:
Ive used Kirkland batteries for everything for years and never had a package leak ... oh wait - I had a set of AAAs in a handheld hunting GPS that I forgot in my pack for a year ... they leaked (fortunately, just a little).
Click to expand...
At one time the Kirkland's were Duracells, rebranded. Not sure what they are now.
 
Shawn said:
There is more to alkaline batteries than just longevity. In my world, my devices need the top 10% o the power band and voltage to maintain their strength. If you look at how long a battery holds its true voltage before dropping off, Duracell has them beat. Energizer may last longer, but the voltage drop starts quicker. Think of it in terms of Vx and Vy...all depends on what you need the performance to do, get higher quicker or get higher longer.
Click to expand...

None of the currently published test data shows that. Cite a source.

AggieMike88 said:
I do. I found this holder to be very useful.

View attachment 64210

Unused batteries are loaded button side up. When changing in a fresh set, the used ones I just pulled go into the holder button side down.
Click to expand...

I have that same holder in a smaller size that stays in the flight bag. Very useful little gadget for a couple of bucks.
 
AggieMike88 said:
I do. I found this holder to be very useful.

View attachment 64210

Unused batteries are loaded button side up. When changing in a fresh set, the used ones I just pulled go into the holder button side down.
Click to expand...


Always been a fan of these, holds AAs and also 123s for flashlights, also fully enclosed for leaks and can be linked to another case of you need to carry a ton of batteries for some reason.

image.jpg


https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/battery-case/
 
denverpilot said:
None of the currently published test data shows that. Cite a source.
Click to expand...

Hours of first hand testing and metering in the specific high powered devices we use over years of being in business. I do not believe manufacture's charts, you can skew data a zillion ways nor can you account for every possible scenario with every device.

When it comes to mission critical use on high profile events on national TV and six figure contracts...we trust one brand and that is Duracell...as do many other in our industry, it os not just marketing hype. Does not matter what else we do, if we have a wireless mic failure on a principal EVERYONE sees that.

Now for you headset, not as mission critical but the point of my post was that there is lot more to a battery than just how log it lasts. If you are a Rayovc guy from the 99 cent store cuz on paper they look good...great, but we do not risk out clients or reputation on those. If all you need is a smoke alarm battery...they are a great deal.
 
Shawn said:
Hours of first hand testing and metering in the specific high powered devices we use over years of being in business. I do not believe manufacture's charts, you can skew data a zillion ways nor can you account for every possible scenario with every device.

When it comes to mission critical use on high profile events on national TV and six figure contracts...we trust one brand and that is Duracell...as do many other in our industry, it os not just marketing hype. Does not matter what else we do, if we have a wireless mic failure on a principal EVERYONE sees that.

Now for you headset, not as mission critical but the point of my post was that there is lot more to a battery than just how log it lasts. If you are a Rayovc guy from the 99 cent store cuz on paper they look good...great, but we do not risk out clients or reputation on those. If all you need is a smoke alarm battery...they are a great deal.
Click to expand...

I said the published data doesn’t currently show it. I should have added “third party”, nobody uses manufacturer data.

I posted an example above.

Feel free to publish your data, or the claim doesn’t change. I’d love to know how you’ve been doing all this “hand metering” testing and also never buying anything else for years at the same time.

Duracells are fine. The Pro Duracells (which is probably what you’re using, you didn’t say) do even better. There’s a whole bunch of other batteries that keep up with them. They’re not particularly unique.

And no, I never said anything about Carbon-Zinc Rayovacs. Hahahaha. What a stupid comment.

Try again. Read what was written, not what you think I wrote. I didn’t attack your precious Duracells. They’re good. The published data just doesn’t support your voltage drop claims.
 
I apologize that my first hand real world experience that I am sharing does not measure up and is inadequate to your analytical data that you read from some online article.

From the source YOU posted:

"As you can see, testing and comparing batteries is not as straightforward as having a magical unit where you can plug the cell in and a number comes up. Depending on how you test the battery, you can end up with a different result, and not all results are likely to be equivalent or even meaningful depending on the final application of the cells"

Would energizers work just as well?...probably, but for us it is also a brand standard so that when I need to send someone out to a local store to grab some more batteries they are not making a subjective choice and we know what we are gonna get.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top