Avalanche Beacon Batteries

 Hey,
Just wondering if anyone has done/found any tests on the best batteries for Avalanche beacons? I have to assume all batteries aren't created equal.

I've measured the length with digital calipers out of curiosity.  (Ortovox was forced to issue a reconfigured battery door for its M2 beacon because of an unconfirmed and never replicated incident of a shut down b/c of lost contact with a battery that was at the lower end of the AA spec.)

Otherwise, any standard alkaline battery has such a long life in any beacon that worrying about it is pointless.
The only important point is to use standard alkaline batteries.  Not rechargeable, not lithium, not PowerPix, etc.

A good rule of thumb for a daytrip is replace when below 50% and start off any overnight trip with fresh batteries.

And also have an extra set of 3xAAA + 2xAA in your car for any partners who show up unprepared.

Yeah, I got a letter from Ortovox asking me to replace my battery door, which I did, and suggesting using only brand-name batteries, which supposedly are minutely longer than some non-brand versions. I don't use my beacon that much, and the batteries seem to hold their charge for a long time.

I use Durocell batteries, I replace them EVERY TIME I go into the BC, and I never think twice about it. That is just not a place to pinch pennies.

I've not yet had to use my Pieps DSP for a true rescue, only in send mode or for beacon practice.  I've found that the Kirkland-branded batteries from Costco work great, as they do in just about every other application.  I typically carry spares in my pack and replace when it drops below 20-25%.

Dam, that could be a lot of batteries?  I don't think they recommend rechargeables.
I put new ones in at the begginning of each season and always have a new set in the pack.  I just purchased 48 AA Members Mark at Sam's last night and the were $9.88, same price as 24 Duracell.  Probably made in the same factory?

A patroller lost his somehow on the back of Bachelor.  It was found months later, still beeping.

Just so you all have good batteries if you ever have to switch to 'receive' mode searching for me.

 Batteries seem to last a fairly long time in all of my beacons.  I have noticed that the beacons seem more prone to dropping a signal and being slow to reacquire when the battery is reading below 50%.  I have spoken with a few beacon Reps and they tell me this is not true, that their unit will work reliably down to zero.  I replace mine around 70%.  I own several headlamps and remotes that can use weakened batteries.  I also try to have 4 AAA backups in my pack.  I have also noticed that transceivers require much more power on receive.  Couple that with removing the unit from your warm chest to search and I've seen units start a training day at 40% and be down to 20% at the end of the day in the field and then back up to 40% or better after being turned off and warmed up for a few hours.  BTW I only use Duracell's.  I know they are not the only good battery out there, but they seem to be the standard for a "good" battery.

I have a weather station wireless remote sensor that recommends using lithium AA batteries since they'll work at a much lower temperature than alkaline cells.  Here's the notice:  "When the temperature falls below freezing point, the batteries of outdoor units may freeze, lowering their voltage supply and effective range.  Use lithium cells to insure operation below 10F (-12C)."

FWIW, I suppose that since you are wearing your beacon inside your coat it won't be too cold.
Edited by SpikeDog - 11/12/09 at 3:16pm

Hahaha....You wouldn't think that you could lose a beacon!

That's funny - I only use Duracells as well. Mostly superstition. That and that badass Robert Conrad commercial in the late 70s.

"I dare you to knock this off my shoulder."

Yes and no:  yes, lithium batteries will last longer in your beacon; but no, you should NOT use them in your beacon, because the battery strength readout will go from 100% to 0% with almost nothing in between.  (Besides, the life of a fresh set of a alkaline batteries is hundreds of hours -- I don't believe the Bachelor story about "months" but still, the only reason to bring along an extra set of batteries for your beacon is if you're going on a multi-day trip and might keep yourself occupied during downtime at basecamp with beacon practice searching, which will as another poster noted use up the batteries at a way faster rate.)