Replacing the battery

[Craig]

A website I was looking at stated that the battery in my 816 is smaller than a standard PP3 so being the curious type I checked it and tried to fit a standard Procell PP3 in the carrier and sure enough it's too big.

Does anyone know any more about this?

Thanks
Craig
 

[EGBDF_Paul]

That's a 9 volt right? I use the regular Duracell in my 816. No problems.

[Edward]

I've not used procells, but have used energizer pro 9volts (the so-called "industrial" ones sold in bulk) and these work fine.  And regular consumer duracells and energizers are also perfectly fine.  Don't buy RayOVac ...too big.  FWIW, I also sized a lithium and it, too, was too big.

Edward

[Craig]

I always thought that Procells were just the industrial badged version of Duracells but It's bigger in all three dimensions than the battery in the guitar. I can't find a regular Duracell to compare at the moment because I've been buying 10 packs of Procells for so long.

I'm in the UK if that makes any difference and I've ordered some of these

http://www.guitarmania.co.uk/taylor-slim-duracel-battery-9v-for-314ce-414ce-514ce-614ce-714ce-814ce-guitars-1446-p.asp

It's just a concern that I could have turned up at a gig with a flat battery and not been able to replace it.

You live and learn :-)

Craig

[Ciarre]

Some others from the AGF, including me, have had the same issue.
Seems like the Duracell is the best way to go, other brands, even quality name brands, just didn't fit.
Even the Duracell replacement I ended up using is a tight fit...but it does work.
Hope that helps.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I remember reading (somewhere) there isn't a universal or standard size for 9 volt batteries. Some batteries are too large, others can be fixed with a Post-It note wrapped around it. Seem to recall this issue was more prominent in Europe, but I might have been dreaming. Duracell seems to work best for me.

[Saxacat]

Hi,

it is a problem with the ISO standard for 9v batteries, they can vary in size considerably and still be within spec. I've even had batteries of the same brand that are different sizes.

The best thing is just to shop around till you find one that fits well. One piece of advice from experience, is that if the battery is a very tight fit in the caddy, it may well distort it slightly and can cause the caddy to possibly get stuck in the guitar (caused me some cold sweats when it happened to me).

Cheers

Eddie

[Craig]

Well the Duracells that I bought from the above link fit perfectly but the two that I bought in the supermarket today don't.

Side by side the supermarket ones are about 1mm longer and slightly deeper but they are all the familiar copper top Duracell PP3's .

Craig

[Saxacat]

I usually take along the old battery with me so as to compare the size.

My current battery is an Energizer; very slightly snugger than the original Duracell but it doesn't distort the caddy at all.

[Craig]

I'll try an Energizer at some point but for now I'm happy that I've got a spare that will fit to keep in my case.

Craig

[Craig]

I just found this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZXcdNRw1a8

Craig

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Craig, nice find on the video.

[Saxacat]

Ditto on the video find.

[Cindy]

Yes, excellent find on the Taylor battery cradle video! Thank you, Craig.

[TaylorMate]

Graig,
Helpful video. It's exactly the way I am dealing with this problem already for years. It is a pitty Taylor does not inform us about it; or better, makes this easy change itself. I never had any problem with the solution to take out the bottom of the cartridge. Don't worry, just do it.