Will 9v work to replace 9.6v

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RichardPerou

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The batteries have have given up the ghost on the hand held. The power was supplied by 8 aaa batteries soldered together. As I have the soldering ability of a haddock is it possible to use 9v?
 
RichardPerou said:
The batteries have have given up the ghost on the hand held. The power was supplied by 8 aaa batteries soldered together. As I have the soldering ability of a haddock is it possible to use 9v?
Click to expand...

You have a few options:
  • Learn to solder
  • Buy a new VHF
  • Buy a second hand VHF
  • Source another battery pack
  • If you're still reading, please sell your boat ;)
 
You mean a single 9V battery?

If you mean PP3 size, then it's unlikely to provide enough current - battery life will be pathetic. PP9 (if you can find one) will be better, but probably won't physically fit!

Sounds like they were nicads. "Standard" non-rechargable cells are 1.5V each so 6x1.5v = 9V. Nicads are about 1.4V each, so I'm not too sure where the 9.6V from 8 cells comes from?

You can usually find the nicads with tags on them - they are a lot easier to solder together. I suggest you look at RS to buy them from. You will have too bite the bullet as far as the soldering is concerned - you will find it's easier than you think! It will be easier if you stick the batteries together as a block using either sticky tape, or better still, hot-melt gue, before attempting to solder them.
 
RichardPerou said:
The batteries have have given up the ghost on the hand held. The power was supplied by 8 aaa batteries soldered together. As I have the soldering ability of a haddock is it possible to use 9v?
Click to expand...

I suspect you're thinking of using one of those small rectangular batteries used in old radios or bathroom scales?

In which case probably yes - but it'll only last for 1 minute (or less), 'cos it has no power...

So the real practical answer is No.

Try two of these from CPC or try maplin for similar units.
 
mikefleetwood said:
You mean a single 9V battery?

If you mean PP3 size, then it's unlikely to provide enough current - battery life will be pathetic. PP9 (if you can find one) will be better, but probably won't physically fit!

Sounds like they were nicads. "Standard" non-rechargable cells are 1.5V each so 6x1.5v = 9V. Nicads are about 1.4V each, so I'm not too sure where the 9.6V from 8 cells comes from?

You can usually find the nicads with tags on them - they are a lot easier to solder together. I suggest you look at RS to buy them from. You will have too bite the bullet as far as the soldering is concerned - you will find it's easier than you think! It will be easier if you stick the batteries together as a block using either sticky tape, or better still, hot-melt gue, before attempting to solder them.
Click to expand...

rechargables are 1.2v
so 1.2 x 8 = 9.6v
 
If you are thinking of using the small rectangular 9v batteries its very unlikely it will work, especially on transmit.
The 9v is already down 0.6v. Alkaline batteries are not as good at NiCad at retaining their voltage under load and you have a much smaller battery. This means that the actual voltage under load will be much lower.

One alternative use for a handheld like this is to wire it into the 12V supply, with a simple voltage dropping circuit . I have mine wired and mounted on my anchor winch controls to communicate with the helm in difficult conditions.
It will need some soldering skills, although not as much as making a battery pack
 
noelex said:
One alternative use for a handheld like this is to wire it into the 12V supply, with a simple voltage dropping circuit . I have mine wired and mounted on my anchor winch controls to communicate with the helm in difficult conditions.
It will need some soldering skills, although not as much as making a battery pack
Click to expand...
Why on Earth would they want to do that! The handheld would become a fixed (although re-locatable) unit.
 
RichardPerou said:
The batteries have have given up the ghost on the hand held. The power was supplied by 8 aaa batteries soldered together. As I have the soldering ability of a haddock is it possible to use 9v?
Click to expand...

A PP3 battery (or whatever they are called now) won't work for the reasons given above. I'd be happy to make them up for you if you send me the old pack and the new batteries with a SAE. PM me for details.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Why on Earth would they want to do that! The handheld would become a fixed (although re-locatable) unit.
Click to expand...
Making this modification does not replace a handheld, but rather makes something that is as useful, but in a different way.
It does two things. It provides a back up VHF, and it allows communication between the helm and anchor winch.
The later can be a great safety feature. Hand signals work well most of the time, but not in the middle of the night when its blowing 50K, pelting down with rain and the anchor is dragging. That is when you need good communication.
Its a useful modification to a radio when it may be uneconomic, or impractical, to replace the battery pack.
 
noelex said:
Making this modification does not replace a handheld, but rather makes something that is as useful, but in a different way.
It does two things. It provides a back up VHF, and it allows communication between the helm and anchor winch.
The later can be a great safety feature. Hand signals work well most of the time, but not in the middle of the night when its blowing 50K, pelting down with rain and the anchor is dragging. That is when you need good communication.
Its a useful modification to a radio when it may be uneconomic, or impractical, to replace the battery pack.
Click to expand...

While I can see where you're coming from, to my mind there are two unresolved issues. Firstly, you are effectively broadcasting your conversation which, in difficult conditions in a busy anchorage, could get a bit embarrassing; and using a hand held occupies one hand. I've wondered about wireless intercom head sets which I think bikers use, but I don't know much about them. There are some bikers on the form though, anyone know if this makes any sense?
 
DaveS said:
While I can see where you're coming from, to my mind there are two unresolved issues. Firstly, you are effectively broadcasting your conversation which, in difficult conditions in a busy anchorage, could get a bit embarrassing; and using a hand held occupies one hand. I've wondered about wireless intercom head sets which I think bikers use, but I don't know much about them. There are some bikers on the form though, anyone know if this makes any sense?
Click to expand...

Good points.
My wife and I have been sailing for many years and are a good team, if anyone wants to listen to our anchoring, they are welcome. The "powered handheld" is mounted on the anchor winch controls, so no extra hands needed.
We always use a working channel and keep the transmission brief. I cruise more deserted areas (I have not seen another boat in same anchorage for a couple of months ) and on low power, surrounded by hills, the transmission range is not large.
 
DaveS said:
While I can see where you're coming from, to my mind there are two unresolved issues. Firstly, you are effectively broadcasting your conversation which, in difficult conditions in a busy anchorage, could get a bit embarrassing; and using a hand held occupies one hand. I've wondered about wireless intercom head sets which I think bikers use, but I don't know much about them. There are some bikers on the form though, anyone know if this makes any sense?
Click to expand...
Channel 17 is for intra-ship (on board) working.
 
noelex said:
Good points.
My wife and I have been sailing for many years and are a good team, if anyone wants to listen to our anchoring, they are welcome. The "powered handheld" is mounted on the anchor winch controls, so no extra hands needed.
We always use a working channel and keep the transmission brief. I cruise more deserted areas (I have not seen another boat in same anchorage for a couple of months ) and on low power, surrounded by hills, the transmission range is not large.
Click to expand...

Fairy Nuff.

I would still like to hear opinions from the biking fraternity, though, to see if the wireless headset idea has any legs.
 
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