Wireless Mic Batteries

If you use pro cell batteries or similar alkaline batteries for wireless mics,  Ansmann rechargeable batteries can save you money. Procell batteries may work well, but they only work well once! Rechargeable batteries by Ansmann can be reused up to 1000 times.  Find out why top production companies like Cirque du Soleil use our rechargeable batteries and battery chargers.  The pro-cell alternative is a high-quality, high-capacity rechargeable battery coupled with an intelliegent battery charger. Ansmann battery chargers are known world-wide for their superior performance.   These battery chargers and rechargeable batteries can be found online at www.horizonbattery.com  or visit www.ansmann.us for a dealer near you.  Stop wasting money on disposable batteries like procells. Use the pro cell  alternative- rechargeable batteries.

Shure, Sennheiser, AKG, Telex, Lectrosonic, Samson, Audix, are just a few of the wireless microphone brands that can use our rechargeable batteries

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Use rechargeable batteries for wireless microphones if you:

• Want to save money without compromising performance .
• Choose the proper rechargeable batteries and charger.

Every week, we speak to scores of soundmen, music directors, church pastors and other professionals who utilize wireless microphones. Without question, the two prevailing issues are:

• I'm spending way too much money on throw-away batteries. Can you help?
• I've tried rechargeable batteries in my wireless mics in the past with poor results.

Most people that have tried rechargeable batteries and chargers have gone to the most convenient place to purchase them - -  Radio Shack, Wall-Mart, or other consumer-oriented stores. While these batteries may work for some consumer electronics, they do NOT work well with wireless microphones.

Why?

Wireless microphones and wireless in-ear monitors are  high-drain devices. They go through alkaline batteries like candy. Low-power, low-capacity rechargeable batteries will only perform worse! Secondly, most consumer-grade battery chargers are not designed to handle higher capacity rechargeable batteries.

However, using high-quality, high capacity rechargeable batteries with a compatible smart charger will yield excellent results year after year after year at a fraction of the cost.

One of are best known clients .. Cirque du Soleil  began using our rechargeable systems in their productions a few years back. Now mind you, each Cirque du Soleil location does 2-3 shows daily, 5-6 days a week. They can't afford battery failures in their wireless systemes.  And. . . they were spending hundreds of $$ EVERY WEEK. One of the shows were using 80 batteries per performance.

The results? By utilizing our rechargeable batteries and chargers, they now save thousands each week in just about every touring and resident show they produce. The same is true of the new Wynn Las Vegas theaters, and many, many other theater groups, production companies, schools and churches.

Speaking of churches, we have over 20,000 churches out there of all sizes... from the mega-churches to the "little church down the corner" that all use our rechargeable products with great success.

The reason our systems work:

• We use only the highest capacity, most reliable rechargeable batteries available. 

Whether it's a 9-volt or AA rechargeable, it's important to recognize that all batteries are not created equal. Many batteries that purport  "250 mah"  or "2850 mah" simply do not  provide stated capacity. . . or at least not for long.  Ansmann batteries are manufactured to specifications that live up to their claims even after frequent recycles.  Many battery companies will claim "250 mah" but in the final analysis, this capacity may only last for the first 50 cycles. After that, well. . . good luck!   At Horizon, we field test the batteries, in different wireless microphone and in-ear monitoring systems  and know how well it performs before sending it to market.

• We utilize smart, intelligent chargers and match them to the specific need of the application.

Repeat after me... "You can't skimp on the charger."  Every time I hear someone say "Well, I already have this little overnight charger, can't I just use this with your batteries?" I cringe.

The battery charger is equally important to the success of your recharging experience - - and the life of your rechargeable battery. You can ruin a rechargeable battery real quick by using the wrong charger. Or, you can become frustrated because after 20 or 30 "good" uses, the battery now dies right in the middle of the vocalist's performance (or worse yet, in the middle of the pastor's sermon!) 

The charger MUST have a high enough charging current , individually charge each cell, have negative delta V detection (-V), plus trickle charge capabilities for it to handle wireless mic applications. An optional discharge or reconditioning function is a plus to help boost maximum life cycles as well.  Horizon carries specific battery kits to accomodate wireless mic applications. 

If you're a church sound tech, music director or pastor, click here for a FREE analysis that will help to determine the best rechargeable battery kit for your application.

Granted,  there are few things to know about using rechargeable batteries for your wireless mic applications. 

• What if my use time exceeds the useful life of the battery?

If you are using a wireless mic that is powered by a 9V, and the microphone must be left on continuously for over 6 hours, then go ahead and use an alkaline.  Before the higher capacity 250+ mah 9V was available, theater production companies did not have a choice with rechargeables.  However, a true 9V 250 mah (like Ansmann) will last at least 6 hours under heavy, continuous use.  Not too many church services last six hours, even when considering rehearsal times, sound checks, etc. Most services, or school classes do not exceed the 3 hour time period. What most audio technicians are doing with longer shows or multiple church services is switching the batteries during the intermission or break times.  A rule of thumb when using rechargeable batteries is to have two batteries for every wireless system.  (Most theater companies switch their alkaline batteries between performances anyway.) 

With wireless mic and in-ear monitors using AA batteries, the high-capacity rechargeable battery actually out performs the alkaline with respect to use time. Most alkaline batteries have about 1800 mah capacity, while the Ansmann batteries exceed 2800 mah. Expected use time for AA's in wireless applications is in the 13-16 hour range.

• Will the 9-volt battery fit in my wireless mic or body pack?

This is a past issue, and with rare exceptions the new slimline 9V rechargeables will fit in just about every wireless mic or transmitter pack. By way of comparison, the Ansmann 9V 250 mah is less than a 1/16" longer than a Duracell. The thickness is the same. We have found some of the older Shure models to be a little snug, but still accomodating. Most microphone manufacturers now recognize the use of rechargeable batteries in their systems.  Of course, with the new AA wireless mics, physical size is not an issue at all.

• What about voltage differences between alkaline and rechargeables?

Another good question, and probably the cause of much confusion.  If you're old enough to remember the old Ni-Cad rechargeables, you soon found out that a 7.2V Ni-Cad will NOT work in a wireless mic. Period.  An alkaline 9V is rated at 9.0 nominal charge. An Ansmann 9V 250mah NiMH has an 8.4V nominal charge.  Will it work? Absolutely!  In fact, if you charge an Ansmann 9V and put it on a volt meter, it will show you a 9.6 to 9.8V rating.  (** See Shure Engineering test results below.)

The same phenomenon is true of Ansmann 1.2V AA cells versus an alkaline 1.5V AA cell. The Ansmann cell will out-perform the alkaline in wireless applications.

• What about memory effect?

What memory effect? Our batteries are nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and are not subject to the memory effect like the old Ni-Cads. Nevertheless, we still recommend reconditioning or fully discharging your NiMH cells after every 7-10 cycles. This assures maximum life cycles for the battery.  Some chargers (Energy 4, Energy 8, and Energy 16) have a built-in reconditioning function. In the alternative, you can allow the battery to fully discharge in your wireless unit once in a while.  Some users don't feel the need to discharge or recondition is worth the extra work and are happy getting 800 cycles instead of 1000 cycles.   Either way, we have the systems that will work for your application.

• Why do your batteries cost a little more?

Because they're a LOT better than other brands.  Ansmann batteries are manufactured to strict specifications with an emphasis on extended recycles.  Unfortunately, all batteries are not created equal. Many battery brands that claim "250 mah"  9V or  "2850 mah" AA can only make that claim for the first 30-40 cycles and then --  good luck!   It's not uncommon to see a 20-30% loss of mah with other brands after the first 50 cycles.  I could also tell you horror stories about battery leakage in very expensive wireless units with inferior brands, but that's not the real issue.  You get what you pay for.

• How much money will I save?

Well, that all depends on your usage. When Cirque du Soleil came to us, one of their shows were using 80 AA batteries.  Ten shows a week equals 800 AA batteries.  That's about $250 per week in throw-away alkalines.  Over $10,000 every year.  Now multiple that by all their touring and resident shows across the globe. . . that's a lot of $$$.

Let's assume you're a mid-size church using four 9V- powered wireless mics twice a week.  That's 8 throw-away 9V's each week or over 400 each year.  If you pay $1.50 per 9V, that's $650 per year.  You could buy a 10-bay battery charger and 10 batteries for around $200 and not think about battery purchases for another  7-10 years.

Hmmm. . . .  Don't think too hard.

Bottomline, for what it cost for a couple cases of Pro-Cells, you can be done buying batteries for a long, long time.

• I'm tempted to try your rechargeables, but are there any assurances or guarantees?

Of course. Each and every purchase of our rechargeable systems is backed by a 30-day money back guarantee . . . including the batteries! This give you ample time to test the batteries in your specific application.  In addition, your battery charger has up to a 3 year replacement warranty. Horizon chargers have a 1 year warranty. Ansmann chargers carry a 3 year warranty.  The batteries, if defective, will show up in the first few cycles. Plus, Ansmann batteries carry a 2-year defective warranty. Our experience has been one of satisfied clients, year after year. The  request for a refund is a rare occasion. So, we don't mind making the guarantee.

• How do I order?

I thought you'd never ask.  That's an easy one:

Phone Orders:  800-648-7239
Online:  www.horizonbattery.com