Blood pressure monitor

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PSLog

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#260085 10-Nov-2019 09:22

I've just bought a Zoss blood pressure monitor ("does not include batteries")

The manual says "Please use No. 7 Alkaline battery. Don't use the others."

Is there a reason that I should not use rechargeable NiMH batteries?
What damage could I do by using rechargeables?

Thanks.

Fog

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#2350974 10-Nov-2019 10:17

I would think you could use any AAA batteries, my monitor uses very little power and I wouldn't bother with rechargeables. Sounds like a sales pitch.

richms

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#2351088 10-Nov-2019 11:34

Probably more to stop people buying carbon zinc trash from "but its a good brand" and putting it in and finding it doesnt work, as its in the manual they will get to bill people for it.

Richard rich.ms

PSLog

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#2351104 10-Nov-2019 11:53

Thanks - that's as I thought.

Issue #2

The unit has two end-on shafts into which the batteries are to be inserted.
One is labelled "+" the other "-"

The manual doesn't say if the "+" (or the "-") refers to the "up" end of the battery or the "down" end.
But it does say that if you get it wrong it will (might?) damage the unit.

I've messaged the supplier asking - but have no reply, yet.

It there a convention for labelling "end-on" battery holders?

Rikkitic

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#2351114 10-Nov-2019 12:34

Batteries are pretty standardised. The end with the nipple is always +, the flat end -.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

PSLog

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#2351115 10-Nov-2019 12:36

Yes, but if the top of a circular receptor shaft is labelled "+", should the "+" end of the battery be up or down?

robjg63

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#2351120 10-Nov-2019 13:04

PSLog: I've just bought a Zoss blood pressure monitor ("does not include batteries")

The manual says "Please use No. 7 Alkaline battery. Don't use the others."

Is there a reason that I should not use rechargeable NiMH batteries?
What damage could I do by using rechargeables?

Thanks.

Don't NiMH Batteries drop from 1.5v pretty quickly? I understand they are usually closer to 1.2v. So your device will probably report dead batteries pretty quickly and you will start blaming the BP monitor...

I have an OMRON BP monitor. Had it about 2 years and it's still got the original alkaline batteries. The manual says it's good for up to 2000 readings from memory.
Just get some decent alkalines for reliable operation.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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Bung

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#2351122 10-Nov-2019 13:06

If it's a hole that you're sticking the battery into the + end of the battery should be showing in the + hole.
Rechargeables and alkaline have different voltage characteriistics. Your BP monitor probably has a charge indicator that is designed to work better with alkaline. If my Omron monitor doesn't have decent batteries in it the cuff takes forever to inflate.

richms

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#2351123 10-Nov-2019 13:07

NiMH hold at 1.2something for a huge portion of their discharge and then fail rapidly and for something where you want a reliable low battery warning I wouldnt risk it. Ive almost given up on rechargable AAs and AAAs since everything that uses them is a low drain device so a block of 40 alkalines is far less hassle than things dying with no warning and dealing with swapping them. Xbox controllers hate rechargable and its about 2-3 mins from low battery warning till they die.

Richard rich.ms

djtOtago

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#2351124 10-Nov-2019 13:10

PSLog: Yes, but if the top of a circular receptor shaft is labelled "+", should the "+" end of the battery be up or down?

Up end.

If the + is marked at the top end put the battery in so the + is at the top the. - will be at the bottom of the hole.

Rikkitic

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#2351125 10-Nov-2019 13:11

I can't say if there is a formal convention, but every device I have ever seen like you describe would have the up end as +. It seems like common sense to me.

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PSLog

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#2351222 10-Nov-2019 16:31

OK, Thanks all.
I've bought Alkaline batteries.
(Didn't know that they would last so long on this device)
It's 3 to 0 that the + should be up (rather than the end that should go down the hole) so that's what I'll do.
Appreciate your advice, guys. :-)

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eracode

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#2351237 10-Nov-2019 17:38

We got a fairly standard-type BP monitor recently that runs on AAA’s - instructions say it will do about 1,000 tests per set of batteries.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.