joshbinder Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 I've only recently adopted the Zax setup after being a longtime lectro person. I got a decent deal on a used set of TRX900LT and QRX100q with QIFB The convenience with time code and internal recording and the erxtcd is the whole reason I jumped in and it is quite nice. The big issue I'm having is that the transmitters seem to blast through batteries in like no time. I mean like I was changing batteries every 30-40 min. This doesn't sound right to me, I believe I am on the correct battery setting but maybe someone can help me out here. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDirckze Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 What kind of batteries are you using? What kind of batteries does Zaxcom recommend that you use? What was the Tx power set to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramallo Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 4 hours with 2000mAh NiMH batteries. Looks that you are using alkaline batteries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaul215 Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 I get waaaaaaaay better run time with the Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA or Imedeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efksound Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Get around 5h30min continuous @125mw using eneloop pros / amazon black Enviado desde mi D6603 mediante Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Get around 5h30min continuous @125mw using eneloop pros / amazon black Enviado desde mi D6603 mediante Tapatalk This is inline with my experience. With power roll I squeeze at least an extra hour or two out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason A Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 3rd this This is inline with my experience. With power roll I squeeze at least an extra hour or two out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 I still use disposable Lithium batteries in my Zaxcom TRX900LT (single AA) and consistently get 5 hours+ runtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshbinder Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 125mw and power roll is off. I'm assuming setting it on would help? Had same problem with the eneloop as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Martin Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Also, keep in mind the battery indicator is only accurate if you have the correct battery type set in the extended menu. For example, If the battery type is set to Lithium and the battery actually in the TRX is alkaline or Nimh, it will say it's about to die very quickly (when it actually ha a lot of juice left.) **Edit: I just reread the OP and it seems you are aware there is a battery setting. but worth noting and double checking that it's correct. I switch back from Lithiums and Nimh all the time based on the style shoot. I forget to change the setting a lot and it always throws me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpaul215 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 ^good point Matt! It's sort of impossible to have an accurate NiMH setting because every battery has a different capacity. That's why Lectrosonics suggests using the timer setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Todd Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 The battery readout on Zax stuff is not the most reliable? Are you changing batteries when the battery icon starts flashing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Todd Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Reliable is not the right word. I suppose accurate would be more precise. The runtime is consistent. Lithiums are a must for the LT's in my experience, but I'lol use rechargeables with the LA's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wandering Ear Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Have you run a set of batteries until they died? What batteries did you use, and how long until the tx shut off? Note alkalines are not recommended. Also note the battery indicator reads differently on zax than on lectro. On zax the icon is only full at the very start up, and will appear to drop rapidly, but will run completely empty before starting to flash which gives another 20-30 minutes (or more on the double bat versions). It's easy to think your batteries are closer to dead than they are until you get used to the metering. On the transmitter in the lock screen, you can display the voltage by pressing the down button. I would suggest firing up your transmitter at home and monitoring the battery voltage over time and see how that relates to the battery indicator on your qrx. That will give you a good sense of what you are seeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I have had the same experience as Wandering Ear, getting used to the battery reporting with Zaxcom which, as noted, is quite a bit different than Lectro. I have been using the Zaxcoms for so long now that battery reporting is very clear and accurate for me. It was a bit of a shock when I first discovered that the battery can be blinking "0" and I still have typically another 15 or 20 minutes of runtime. I don't really have an opinion one way or the other how the battery reporting is done by the other companies, maybe the way Lectro does it is better, maybe not, it doesn't matter to me since I use only Zaxcom. It is a problem, sometimes, when I have someone on my crew working who has never used Zaxcom wireless --- they often get freaked out when worrying about battery life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshbinder Posted May 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Yes I was seeing the flashing and made sure to change before the interview started. As I had to monitor from the outside using my ERX I'll try running them out see what I get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masaki Hatsui Posted May 22, 2015 Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 By the way, is there any function to see TX's voltage lead out from QRX? I don't know if these informations are trasmitted on Zaxnet or on the signal path but it is better to see voltage than an annoying icon forever blinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted May 22, 2015 Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 Amazon black? Get around 5h30min continuous @125mw using eneloop pros / amazon black Enviado desde mi D6603 mediante Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efksound Posted May 22, 2015 Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 Well the Black Amazon Basics http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-High-Capacity-Rechargeable-Batteries-Pre-charged/dp/B00HZV9WTM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432312118&sr=8-1&keywords=amazon+basics+aa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masaki Hatsui Posted May 22, 2015 Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 Are you all guys talking about the TRX 900LT (with only one battery)? Mine do not last more than four hours (didn't have tested precisely though). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.279748a58a2b862b7aa5f3b84126e232.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.