FH 7 II do they take batteries?
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bill
Member (SA)
only if you have the optional rechargeable battery pack.
if i remember correctly it was basically a case that went in place of the mains power supply.
it was filled with rechareable d cels.
i think you should go for the mk3 if you can tho better speakers. three ways instead of two prolly not a ton of difference tho.
if i remember correctly it was basically a case that went in place of the mains power supply.
it was filled with rechareable d cels.
i think you should go for the mk3 if you can tho better speakers. three ways instead of two prolly not a ton of difference tho.
Don't think they have to be rechargeable. If I'm not mistaken, the battery unit takes standard D cells. However, it's really rare. For what it's worth, the Sony FH's sound awesome. I didn't notice any appreciable improvement in the Mk-III over the II or I. But the speakers, if worn, could be a big issue on the APM ones. Almost all of the FH-7's have burnt out backlights on the tuner. Upgrading them with LED's will greatly improve durability of the backlight and you can change to any color you want.
Bill might be right about the rechargeable. But I'm staring at my pack right now, and all it says is D cells... nothing about rechargeable anywhere on the unit. Also, if you substitute the pack in place of the A/C power unit, then to operate on other than batteries, you'd need to use the 12V DC in jack as there is no AC in with that pack in place. Reduced power output should be expected as well, when operated on batteries.
bill
Member (SA)
that is interesting super. i have seen that power pack part show up on ebay every now and again.
i toss around the idea of grabbing one but just cant bring myself to it. i mean the usual price is more than i paid for my pristine box.
your right too i cant see batteries being able to push this box the way mains do.
i toss around the idea of grabbing one but just cant bring myself to it. i mean the usual price is more than i paid for my pristine box.
your right too i cant see batteries being able to push this box the way mains do.
Well, here is what I got to say about using those SLA 7.0ah batteries. I know, Ira is shaking his head saying here it comes... 
Me thinks that Rechargeable D cells is a far better way to go than using those gel cells. Here is why.
SLA 7.0 = 7AH battery performance
Rechargeable D cells in NiMH have 10AH's.
Good Quality Alkaline D cells have 10AH too (according to 1 website)
Therefore, performance wise, using one of those gel cells will mean a hit on run time performance, and we aren't even factoring in the operational losss of the inverter.
Secondly, SLA stands for Sealed Lead Acid. So once those batteries are spent, disposal becomes an issue. You can't just throw them in the trash. While that stands true today for almost all batteries, best buy has a bin in the front of their store for your ordinary used batteries. I don't think they will accept lead acid type batteries. Those will have to be taken to your local hazard waste disposal center.
Third, by their very nature, lead acid batteries, sealed or not, requires their charge to be maintained at or near 100% or they will self discharge and sulfate. Burgular alarms, fire alarms, exit lamps and other backup devices are the best candidates for these types of batteries. If discharged, a chemical reaction (sulfation) occurs almost immediately in the battery. Once the battery becomes fully sulfated, it's is almost impossible to restore it. There are chargers that advertise the ability to reverse this phenomenon and restore a battery but don't believe it -- I have had almost zero % success in getting sulfated batteries to hold a charge. It has to do with the chemical composition of the electrolyte solution. When charged, the plates do not sulfate. When discharged, the chemical properties of the solution allows the plates to sulfate.
Also, SLA batteries do not like to be fully discharged. NiMH and NiCAD and Lithium batteries do not have this issue. Once discharged, it can be recharged again, if done immediately. A SLA that is discharged for an extended period will most assuredly be stone dead forever. I have read that when fully discharged, SLA batteries will lose 10% of their life. I have never wanted to experimented to confirm but I suspect that this is not far from the truth. Anyone that has run their car battery down on a regular basis knows that the life is drastically shortened. NiMH and Lithium cells can be recharged 500 times. Run them all the way down -- no problem. They will come back to life.
Rechargeable D's are not cheap but they more than pay for themselves and when you are shopping for your 50th SLA battery, your D cells are still cranking out the tunes. BTW, 8 NiMH D cells can be had on the bay for around $50. That's a much more environmentally and practical solution than the $39 7.0ah battery.
Me thinks that Rechargeable D cells is a far better way to go than using those gel cells. Here is why.
SLA 7.0 = 7AH battery performance
Rechargeable D cells in NiMH have 10AH's.
Good Quality Alkaline D cells have 10AH too (according to 1 website)
Therefore, performance wise, using one of those gel cells will mean a hit on run time performance, and we aren't even factoring in the operational losss of the inverter.
Secondly, SLA stands for Sealed Lead Acid. So once those batteries are spent, disposal becomes an issue. You can't just throw them in the trash. While that stands true today for almost all batteries, best buy has a bin in the front of their store for your ordinary used batteries. I don't think they will accept lead acid type batteries. Those will have to be taken to your local hazard waste disposal center.
Third, by their very nature, lead acid batteries, sealed or not, requires their charge to be maintained at or near 100% or they will self discharge and sulfate. Burgular alarms, fire alarms, exit lamps and other backup devices are the best candidates for these types of batteries. If discharged, a chemical reaction (sulfation) occurs almost immediately in the battery. Once the battery becomes fully sulfated, it's is almost impossible to restore it. There are chargers that advertise the ability to reverse this phenomenon and restore a battery but don't believe it -- I have had almost zero % success in getting sulfated batteries to hold a charge. It has to do with the chemical composition of the electrolyte solution. When charged, the plates do not sulfate. When discharged, the chemical properties of the solution allows the plates to sulfate.
Also, SLA batteries do not like to be fully discharged. NiMH and NiCAD and Lithium batteries do not have this issue. Once discharged, it can be recharged again, if done immediately. A SLA that is discharged for an extended period will most assuredly be stone dead forever. I have read that when fully discharged, SLA batteries will lose 10% of their life. I have never wanted to experimented to confirm but I suspect that this is not far from the truth. Anyone that has run their car battery down on a regular basis knows that the life is drastically shortened. NiMH and Lithium cells can be recharged 500 times. Run them all the way down -- no problem. They will come back to life.
Rechargeable D's are not cheap but they more than pay for themselves and when you are shopping for your 50th SLA battery, your D cells are still cranking out the tunes. BTW, 8 NiMH D cells can be had on the bay for around $50. That's a much more environmentally and practical solution than the $39 7.0ah battery.
redbenjoe
I Am Legend
a FEW of your silly points might be accurate 
however-
1. i do not trust that those little D cells have anywhere near 10 amp hours in them -- NFW
2. while you have some valid negs re the SLA batteries --
i was only talking about marine (type) GEL-CELS
which are an entirely different chemisrty
so there
--------------------------------------
but --on a HUGE plus --favoring D cells --
they fit -- or can me made to fit --configured into the spaces
that boomers provide --
plus no boxes i know of can accomodate even a small inverter
so.........................
i would always prefer D cells
however-
1. i do not trust that those little D cells have anywhere near 10 amp hours in them -- NFW
2. while you have some valid negs re the SLA batteries --
i was only talking about marine (type) GEL-CELS
which are an entirely different chemisrty
so there
--------------------------------------
but --on a HUGE plus --favoring D cells --
they fit -- or can me made to fit --configured into the spaces
that boomers provide --
plus no boxes i know of can accomodate even a small inverter
so.........................
i would always prefer D cells
I still think rechargeable D cells are best and I think that it's entirely plausible that they can store 10,000 mah. AA NiMH batteries are already up to 2800mah. Have you compared the mass of a D compared to a AA? It's easily 4X's the girth or more.
Anyhow, it's easy enough to make a 12V or 14.4V or 15.6 V external battery pack out of rechargeable D's. AND once done, the overall size will be SMALLER than a 7AH battery and inverter setup, which will be awkward at best. The pack can then power ANY boombox with a DC-in jack, without the operational loss of an inverter. However, if you WANT A/C power or your boombox requires A/C, then you can still connect your battery pack to an inverter.
As for Gel Cells, they are still Lead Acid Batteries so while they are a definite improvement over normal wet cells, the technology still applies. I'm not saying there isn't a place for lead acid type batteries, all I'm saying is that NiMH or Li-ION are much better technologies and better suited for portable device useage. Lead acid types are better suited for the Uninteruptible Power Supplies, Automotive, Alarm backup systems, etc. Heck, even electric cars technology is moving in the direction of Li-ION. Cost is an issue -- no question. However, I think over the life of the battery, NiMH or Li-ION will be more cost effective solution.
Anyhow, maybe Ira could offer up one of his Gel Cells for an experiment? Discharge it and let it sit for, say 3 or 4 weeks. Then try to get it going again. If successful, then what the storage capacity would be upon resurection. I'd be very interested to know the result.
Anyhow, it's easy enough to make a 12V or 14.4V or 15.6 V external battery pack out of rechargeable D's. AND once done, the overall size will be SMALLER than a 7AH battery and inverter setup, which will be awkward at best. The pack can then power ANY boombox with a DC-in jack, without the operational loss of an inverter. However, if you WANT A/C power or your boombox requires A/C, then you can still connect your battery pack to an inverter.
As for Gel Cells, they are still Lead Acid Batteries so while they are a definite improvement over normal wet cells, the technology still applies. I'm not saying there isn't a place for lead acid type batteries, all I'm saying is that NiMH or Li-ION are much better technologies and better suited for portable device useage. Lead acid types are better suited for the Uninteruptible Power Supplies, Automotive, Alarm backup systems, etc. Heck, even electric cars technology is moving in the direction of Li-ION. Cost is an issue -- no question. However, I think over the life of the battery, NiMH or Li-ION will be more cost effective solution.
Anyhow, maybe Ira could offer up one of his Gel Cells for an experiment? Discharge it and let it sit for, say 3 or 4 weeks. Then try to get it going again. If successful, then what the storage capacity would be upon resurection. I'd be very interested to know the result.
redbenjoe
I Am Legend
norm --i HOPE you are even 1/2 right in your confidence that little D cell can store 10 amp hours !!!!
because --if so --than we are all that much closer to enjoying ALL ELECTRIC cars -
that could run for 2 0r 3 hundred miles with a SMALL //light and replaceable battery pack
that would be great !!!!
---------------------------------------
as far as the 'self discharge' of gel cells -
you came to the right place to inquire
this is the ONE thing i friggen KNOW about-
i have used them for 20 years to power my home made all electric boats, scooters
and golf carts --and a boat hauling TRACTOR and a rotating beach chair
they can be left alone for about SIX months --
then fully re-charged
because --if so --than we are all that much closer to enjoying ALL ELECTRIC cars -
that could run for 2 0r 3 hundred miles with a SMALL //light and replaceable battery pack
that would be great !!!!
---------------------------------------
as far as the 'self discharge' of gel cells -
you came to the right place to inquire
this is the ONE thing i friggen KNOW about-
i have used them for 20 years to power my home made all electric boats, scooters
and golf carts --and a boat hauling TRACTOR and a rotating beach chair
they can be left alone for about SIX months --
then fully re-charged
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