AKG's Smart Battery, Smart Choice

Shopping for the ideal microphone system often means comparing and contrasting many of the same features across the board - including the frequency range, channel quantity and ease of operation.
But there is one feature that is often overlooked that can have a significant impact on the overall performance of any microphone or wireless microphone system: the battery life. That feature can have a profound effect on the dependability and overall cost of ownership of any wireless microphone system, which is why AKG’s products employ state-of-the-art battery power technology that results in more intelligent and efficient charging of batteries for better performance, extended life cycles and greater cost savings for the user.
One feature that comes standard on all of AKG’s wireless microphone systems is a drop-in charger contact that allows users to simply insert the handheld microphone (HT) or belt pack transmitter (PT) into the charging dock. Once in the dock, the microphone’s battery is charged with Pulse Wave Technology without having to remove it from the casing. Transmitting a high current through the battery in waves for a short period of time before turning it down, this Pulse Wave charging method prevents excess heat build up and allows the battery to maintain its temperature for a faster overall charging cycle and longer life cycle. Using the Pulse Wave Technology, any nickel metal hydride AA battery can go from dead to fully charged in just two hours, and once charged, can operate for up to seven to eight hours at a time.
"Digital wireless technology has traditionally used an excessive amount of energy in an inefficient manner," commented Joseph Wagoner, Product Manager for Wireless, Tour, and Installed Sound, AKG. "That’s not the case with our systems. Where other systems will get three or four hours on a fully charged battery, AKG’s will get nearly twice as much. Our battery power technology represents the smartest and most advanced charging methods available for microphone and wireless microphone systems."
The most sophisticated AKG battery technology is found with the WMS 4500, which utilises a specially packaged Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack called the BA4000 that comes with a computer chip that monitors the battery’s condition and usage. When in use, the BA4000 monitors the voltage level and current consumption, and when the battery is placed in the charger, relays those levels to the charging unit and adjusts its charging cycle accordingly to provide a rapid recovery time and full charge. This unit also includes the logic to alert the user when the battery needs a deep cycle charge. When the red light turns on, it indicates that the battery should be cycled for 18 hours for extended life and performance.
"AKG’s battery power technology provides two main benefits to our customers," continued Wagoner. "One is the benefit to the environment that comes with using less batteries and producing less waste. The other is the cost savings. When you look at the amount of money one spends on batteries per week with other systems, compared to the money saved with smart battery technology, the savings will result in the wireless system paying for itself over time."
(BMcN)