Possible reason for batteries dying?

[ryanformato]

Hey,

I had someone install the Livewire Classic and Livewire Metal pickups into my custom jon kammerer guitar. You can take a look at it at www.ryanformato.com (go to gear). For some reason, my batteries are dying in about a month. I KNOW this isn't right. The guitar works and sounds great otherwise. Can there be something wrong? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Martian]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

Hello ryanformato,

Obviously, there's a constant drain on the batteries somewhere. Ensure that you don't keep the jack plugged in when you aren't using the guitar. The smaller prong on your input jack (the one that the black wire from the battery clip is soldered to) connects to the rest of the ground circuit when the jack is connected. In other words, this fully activates the battery(s) into, and completes the entire circuit. By removing the jack when not in use, the battery portion of the circuit is then "at rest". The vast majority of the time, it is this black battery wire staying activated with the circuit which is the culprit.

 

[ryanformato]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

I am well aware of that problem of leaving the guitar plugged in but I make sure to never do this. Any other possibilities? Thank you by the way though.

 

[Martian]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

I am well aware of that problem of leaving the guitar plugged in but I make sure to never do this. Any other possibilities? Thank you by the way though.

You're quite welcome.

Like I said, check the battery wire at the input jack to see if it still connected to the ground circuit after the jack is removed. If you have a VOM or a continuity tester, this will take all the guess work out of it.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

Good advice.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

Did whoever installed them actually change the input jack to be a stereo jack? That is what has to be there. If it's still mono the battery is still "in circuit" even when the guitar is unplugged.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

Did whoever installed them actually change the input jack to be a stereo jack? That is what has to be there. If it's still mono the battery is still "in circuit" even when the guitar is unplugged.

Exactly what I was thinking, most likely a wrong Jack, or the right Jack and a major soldering goof

 

[ryanformato]

Re: Possible reason for batteries dying?

Thanks for your help guys. I am going to the guy today so he can look at the guitar. I am going to present him with all the possible solutions. Thanks again.