BeachTek DXA-8; line inputs; battery life at DVinfo.net

David Ennis · November 21st, 2004, 10:47 AM

Does anyone use the DXA-8 with suitably attenuated line inputs and get acceptable battery life?

You're supposed to get about ten hours without using phantom power, But I'm getting less than two hours out of fresh 9V Duracels-they're dying with the performance in progress. l'm left with dead spots that I'll have to fill with the on-board audio from my second camera. And yes, the phantom power is turned off.

I'll check with the guys at BeachTek, but it's Sunday so I thought I'd try the question here.

Jay Massengill · November 21st, 2004, 11:01 AM

That certainly sounds like a serious problem. How long is the power supposed to last when you ARE using phantom? I would imagine even then it should be more than two hours.
Other than conferring with the BeachTek people and possibly having them check it out, I can only suggest that 9v batteries are very susceptible to be mis-handled between the package being opened and them being installed. It only takes a few seconds of shorting the terminals against a metal object, like another 9v, to substantially weaken the battery.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 21st, 2004, 01:30 PM

I just got home last night and I have some stuff to do but i'll try a test tonight. (If I can manage the time)

How many channels driven?

David Ennis · November 21st, 2004, 07:09 PM

Bryan, I was running two channels. Took the signals out of the left and right bus inserts of a Mackie CR1604, through direct boxes, then down about 30 feet of XLR cable then through AT8202 attenuators into the left and right inputs of the Beach.

Harry Kaufmann was in the office at BeachTek
today, or at least checking his email, and did get back to me. Thinks I may have a bad unit and recommends sending it back to B&H for exchange. B&H has given me an RMA even though I'm a bit over the 7 day limit. I'm being treated pretty well--no complaints. These things happen.

I would be interested in the life you get though, if you get around to testing it.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 21st, 2004, 08:48 PM

I haven't had a chance yet and i'd like to do it properly. Set up two mics and monitor the situation at 5 min intervals. My batteries are about 2 years old but still showing a good date (energizer 9 volt)

""My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired."

I coulda used you last week. I'm usually pretty good at finding control problems but there was an overwhelming abundance. Like sticking your finger in the dike. I got through it and got home on saturday. OyVey! The pain!

George Ellis · November 21st, 2004, 09:33 PM

I only get about 2 hours with limiters and phantom on. I changed batteries for ever tape on the last performance I recorded to be on the safe side.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 21st, 2004, 10:24 PM

That's about the norm for my Sound Devices units.

November 21st, 2004, 10:47 AM	#1
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	BeachTek DXA-8; line inputs; battery life Does anyone use the DXA-8 with suitably attenuated line inputs and get acceptable battery life? You're supposed to get about ten hours without using phantom power, But I'm getting less than two hours out of fresh 9V Duracels-they're dying with the performance in progress. l'm left with dead spots that I'll have to fill with the on-board audio from my second camera. And yes, the phantom power is turned off. I'll check with the guys at BeachTek, but it's Sunday so I thought I'd try the question here. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

November 21st, 2004, 01:30 PM	#3
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I just got home last night and I have some stuff to do but i'll try a test tonight. (If I can manage the time) How many channels driven? __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

November 21st, 2004, 07:09 PM	#4
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Bryan, I was running two channels. Took the signals out of the left and right bus inserts of a Mackie CR1604, through direct boxes, then down about 30 feet of XLR cable then through AT8202 attenuators into the left and right inputs of the Beach. Harry Kaufmann was in the office at BeachTek today, or at least checking his email, and did get back to me. Thinks I may have a bad unit and recommends sending it back to B&H for exchange. B&H has given me an RMA even though I'm a bit over the 7 day limit. I'm being treated pretty well--no complaints. These things happen. I would be interested in the life you get though, if you get around to testing it. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

November 21st, 2004, 08:48 PM	#5
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I haven't had a chance yet and i'd like to do it properly. Set up two mics and monitor the situation at 5 min intervals. My batteries are about 2 years old but still showing a good date (energizer 9 volt) ""My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." I coulda used you last week. I'm usually pretty good at finding control problems but there was an overwhelming abundance. Like sticking your finger in the dike. I got through it and got home on saturday. OyVey! The pain! __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

November 21st, 2004, 10:24 PM	#7
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	That's about the norm for my Sound Devices units. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

November 21st, 2004, 11:01 AM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	That certainly sounds like a serious problem. How long is the power supposed to last when you ARE using phantom? I would imagine even then it should be more than two hours. Other than conferring with the BeachTek people and possibly having them check it out, I can only suggest that 9v batteries are very susceptible to be mis-handled between the package being opened and them being installed. It only takes a few seconds of shorting the terminals against a metal object, like another 9v, to substantially weaken the battery.

November 21st, 2004, 09:33 PM	#6
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	I only get about 2 hours with limiters and phantom on. I changed batteries for ever tape on the last performance I recorded to be on the safe side.