Battery Info
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This page is designed to help you get the most from your Rat Zapper. We are keeping our eye on new, evolving battery technology to help you get the best bang for your buck when buying batteries for your Rat Zapper.
Battery Life and Recommendations We are currently recommending three types of batteries for your Rat Zapper 2000. One is the new Duracell Ultra with M3 Technology. Our customers say that the new Duracell Ultras with M3 Technology provide the most zap for your buck. If you can't find the Duracell Ultra, the second type of battery that we recommend is the Energizer e2 Titanium. While alkaline batteries (like the Duracell Ultras) provide the best, most reliable current with the lowest up front cost, Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeables offer the best cost performance for people who use their Rat Zapper all year long. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries (with at least 1500mAH) are the third type of battery that we recommend. With 4 fresh, new, alkaline AA batteries, you will get at least 10 kills or 30 days of usage. Conservation Tip: when your alkaline AA batteries are no longer powerful enough to be used in the Rat Zapper 2000, there is usually still be plenty of juice to run other devices that require less energy (such as Game Boys, calculators, remote controls, electronic clocks and timers, penlights, etc.). Although the Rat Zapper does provide a go/no go indicator on the Rat Zapper itself, the best way to test the power of the Rat Zapper is to use an ordinary screwdriver with a plastic or rubber handle. Caution: Do not touch the metal part of the screwdriver during testing and make sure that your hand is not underneath the Rat Zapper 2000. Also, make sure that the Rat Zapper is at least 1 foot away from any sensitive electronic equipment or media. Animation of a Proper Test Zapping 1. Use a screwdriver with a plastic or rubber handle and a 6" metal shaft. Put the tip of the screwdriver through one of the slots in the rear of the Kill Chamber until the tip touches the Kill Plate (looks like an island in the floor of the Kill Chamber). The screwdriver must continue to make contact with the metal at the rear of the Chamber. Note: It is futile to attempt to trigger the Rat Zapper from the rodent entrance. The screwdriver must be inserted from the back end. 2. After holding the tip against the Kill Plate for a moment, slowly pull the screwdriver away. A blue spark should jump from the Kill Plate to the tip of the screwdriver. This indicates that the Rat Zapper was triggered appropriately. 3. The size of the spark indicates relative battery power. You should see at least a 1/8" spark. If the spark is very small or non-existent, you may need to replace batteries. The high voltage runs for two minutes so you will have the opportunity to try this several times until you have a good reading. Also, you get the best sparking from the corner of the Kill Plate. If you would like to use rechargeable batteries in the Rat Zapper, we recommend Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) with at least 1500mAH. If you do not currently own NiMH batteries, we have a recommendation. Radio Shack sells an NiMH battery charger (Part No. 23-033) that comes with 4 AA NiMH batteries perfectly suited for the Rat Zapper. The charger/battery package costs $21.99 and comes with four 1500mAH AA NiMH batteries. Radio Shack also sells a charger/battery package for $19.99, but the batteries are less powerful and not recommended for the Rat Zapper. Look for the package with the green batteries. If you already have a charger, we recommend Ray O Vac AA Rechargeable NiMH batteries. They come in a 4 pack, they are rated at 1600mAH and the part number is NM715-4. The nice thing about the Ray O Vac's is that the price is right and they have plenty of power. If you choose to use NiMH batteries, we recommend that you charge the batteries about once every 30 days. If you would prefer a battery system that does not require charging and lasts for six months or longer, please read the section on add-on battery pack. There are three major types of rechargeable batteries that are available in the AA size. These include rechargeable alkaline, Nickel-Cadmium (also called nicad or NiCd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). The first two types do not provide sufficient current for use in the Rat Zapper. Nickel Metal Hydride, however, is new and provides more current than the nicad battery with no "memory effect" (nicads are notorious for erratic performance based on when and how long you recharge the battery). Below are some links to sites that have more info on NiMH batteries:
If you have not yet done it, you may want to subscribe to our "Specials" mailing list from our home page to keep abreast of new developments. The Rat Zapper 2000 was designed with the average household consumer in mind. Many of our customers, however, have ongoing rodent problems and go through several packs of batteries in a year. These customers have requested an add-on battery pack that would provide longer battery life with less battery changing. We have developed a battery pack- the Rat Pack- that will allow any Rat Zapper 2000 owner to power their unit with 4 D-cell batteries instead of the 4 AA's. The D-cell battery pack will provide 6 times (60 kills or 6 months time) the battery life that the AA's currently provide. This add-on battery pack is great for rural customers, commercial users, facility managers and Pest Control Operators. This battery pack will save the cost and inconvenience of replacing AA batteries anywhere between 6 and 12 times a year. We will soon be adding a page dedicated to this new battery pack for those that are interested. Links to Other Sites Regarding Batteries
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