2. amps-preamps
  3. 1234483404

Dodd preamp battery plays 40 minutes

I have a Dodd battery operated preamp. It sounds very good, but the batteries (four square units well seated in their alloted places) do not play more than about 40 minutes. At that time, the preamp starts beeping to be recharged. It recharges, but then again will not play through a whole CD. Any suggestions?

The Dodd has a switch on the front to select between two sets of batteries, but I understand that this is a holdover from an earlier design and that in fact the preamp automatically uses all the batteries before it asks for a recharge. Changing the switch position to the other set of batteries does not change things. The preamp is plugged in via its adaptor, and is supposed to disconnect the wall power when it is turned on, and then to reconnect to wall power for recharging when turned off. I realize the batteries may be faulty, but it's a new preamp and it seems unlikely. Any guidance is appreciated.
audiomole

Showing 2 responses by audiomole

audiomole OP
9 posts
 
Thanks to all. I'll call Gary.
audiomole OP
9 posts
 
I have spoken with Gary of Dodd Audio, and he adds to what some of you have helpfully posted here. According to Gary, he now realizes the trouble is not with faulty batteries (though he has replaced many for customers) but with the way such batteries work and the way they are often used.

Gary says the batteries lose about 2% of their charge a day without use, and ideally should be played every day. This is partly because of the "memory" of such batteries, about which there seems to be some disagreement. Gary thinks they do have it, and that it is therefore important to use them regularly for near their maximum play time. If you only play them 2-3 hours a day, especially when new (if I understood this correctly), then they will be able to play only something like that time span, so Gary, but actually they can play 10-12 hours at a time if they're used that way to begin with. If you'r away or can't play the preamp for an extended period, it's better to keep it plugged in, so Gary, but it will degrade the life of the battery.

While the manual that came with the preamp says that one should ideally not play the preamp till the beeping starts, Gary says it's better to play it till the batteries are nearly empty, even till the beeping starts, so long as you then turn it off/charge the batteries. The preamp can play another two hours or so after the beeping starts without damaging the batteries, per Gary.

Vinnie, I take it some of this has not been your experience? Also, what brand of battery do you find works better? Gary recommended Powersonic, but said others work fine too.

Finally, Gary said he can sell you (me) new batteries, but it's better for the user (me) to go out and get them locally, because to get a decent price he needs to order several cases of the batteries--and then they sit around and degrade to the tune of 2% a day.
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