Talentcell Battery Review

Why A Battery Pack?

I started using rechargeable batteries with my Yamaha CK88 piano pretty early on at my band practices (just given the layout of the room we were in, it was convenient to be able to go without AC power, and one of the ONLY things about the CK series that I’m NOT impressed with? . . . Is for a stage keyboard that is MEANT to be hauled around a lot, the power adapter and attached cord are REALLY . . . kinda flimsy, not sure why Yamaha did that)  Compare the adapter for the CK88 to the one for my Yamaha PSR EW425 keyboard (which is 1/3 of the price of my CK88); it’s much heavier duty.  So at first I used some standard rechargeable batteries, and they were ok, but they often wouldn’t quite make it through longer practices, often giving out at 1.5-2 hours in.  Then I started looking at portable generator options, but wasn’t too excited at the prospect of hauling MORE big heavy stuff around with me – and then I came across these Talentcell lithium ion batteries; I bought the one with the correct specs for the CK88, and . . . IT HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER!    Our weekly band practices are 1.5-3 hours, and I can get through 2 band practices and 30-60 minutes a day in between those 2 practices from a single charge on the Talentcell.  So I don’t have an EXACT amount of time that I get per charge, but when it’s fully charged?  EASILY 4-5 hours without any issue, and quite likely a bit more.  I actually tend to use it at home as well to try and drain it as much as possible before my next band practice so I can go to those with a full charge. 

Specs (Make Sure It’s Compatible!)

OK so I mentioned that I bought the model that has the correct specs for the Yamaha CK88; now I am NOT an electronics specialist, so I DO NEED TO EMPHASIZE HERE: if you are going to buy a lithium ion battery for a keyboard, whether it’s Talentcell or any other brand – MAKE SURE YOU RESEARCH IT CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE IT IS GOING TO BE COMPATIBLE!  I’m NOT going to be able to answer any questions that ask “will such and such battery work with such and such model of keyboard or piano”, PLEASE do that due diligence yourself. 

And, if you have a Yamaha CK88 or CK61 and follow any of my links to Talentcell models; DOUBLE CHECK IT IS INDEED THE RIGHT ONE – Amazon WILL often display different models or alternatives in your area if it doesn’t happen to have the one that I linked to in stock. 

So . . . what WERE the specs that I checked before buying mine?   

1) I looked on Yamaha’s site at the power specs for the CK series, which showed 12 volts and 1.5 amps:

2) Then I looked at the power adapter itself that came with my keyboard, which ALSO shows 12 volts and 1.5 amps, AND also shows the polarity as “+” on the inside ring and “-“ on the outside ring:

3) Then I checked the specs of the Talentcell batteries and found the YB1206000 matched: 12 volts and 3 amps, and the polarity is also positive centre and negative outer ring:

So once again, I’m NOT an electronics specialist, but what MY online research told me was:

• Make sure that the VOLTS on your battery match your piano power specs exactly (which they do, both at 12 volts)
• Make sure that the amps on your battery are equal or greater than the amps on your piano power specs (which they are; the battery has 3 amps and the piano specs are 1.5)
• Make sure that the polarity matches (which it does; the battery and the piano power both have positive inside with the negative ring outside)

What Comes With The Battery?

You get the battery itself, you get a power adapter for charging the battery, and you get a handy Y cable; you use this to connect the battery to the CK to power it, and the nice added feature of the Y is that you can actually charge the battery AND power the CK at the same time if you need to.  I’ve never actually done that myself, since I get more than enough time out of a single charge, but I do always keep the charger close at hand while I’m playing in case I need it. 

Charging

So for charging, it takes a few hours (probably about 5 or 6) to fully charge the battery (depending on how low it is).  And for charging, I don’t actually need the Y cable, I can just plug the adapter straight into the battery.  Now there are 5 lights on the battery indicating the current charge level, but when you’re charging that’s actually NOT what indicates whether charging is completed.  There is also a light on the adapter itself; if it’s red, it is still charging, once it’s green, charging is complete. 

Battery Indicator Lights

And the 5 lights on the battery itself are great to have, but . . . . not very accurate.  Basically, within about a minute of powering my CK with the battery, it immediately goes from a full charge at 5 lights to 4.  Then it will sit at four lights for probably 3 hours or so, then it goes to 3 lights – when it’s at 3 lights, it probably has 2-3 hours left, BUT . . . it NEVER goes to 2 lights which IS unfortunate.  It basically goes from 3 lights to . . . NO MORE POWER!   So while I do wish it would go to 2 lights for even 15-30 minutes as a warning it’s about to run out of power?  I haven’t found it to be too hard keeping track of where the battery level is at.  I’ll typically charge the battery once a week prior to my band practice, then use it at home as well to drain it further and then recharge it again for the next practice. 

I tested this at an outside gig this past weekend and it was great; we had some sound trouble getting set up in the first place, so between a long sound check and then 2 full sets it was on for about 2.5-3 hours, and it was still at 4 lights the next day. 

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Other Versions (Mine = YB1206000)

• YB1203000:
  • Half the capacity (and only a few $ cheaper; probably worth it to spend a bit more)
• YB1208300-USB:
  • About 40% more capacity than mine AND it has a 5V output USB port to simultaneously charge USB devices, as well as a 9 volt output for other compatible devices
• YB1203000-USB & YB1206000-USB:
  • Same as mine and the lower capacity one only with the USB charging port added
• YB12011000-USB:
  • Top of the line! Almost twice the capacity of mine, and it has the USB charging port, AND it also has a 9 volt output for other compatible devices

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Talentcell Battery – THE VERDICT

So, my verdict on the Talentcell YB1206000 battery pack? 

I LOVE IT! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Great Value At Only About $35USD!

And I can highly recommend it or any of the other Talentcell models I mentioned; except I would probably not recommend the YB1203000; I’m sure it works fine, and if it is indeed half the capacity of mine, it would probably get you through a 3 hour session just fine, but given that it’s only about $5USD less expensive?  Why not at least get the YB1206000; and to be honest, it’s only another $10-20USD to get the top of the line model with USB charging and an even bigger capacity than the one I bought. 

And I do have to mention once more:

If you are going to purchase a battery for your keyboard, whether it is Talentcell or any other brand, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE IT IS COMPATIBLE! 

As I mentioned earlier, I am NOT an electronics specialist so I won’t be able to answer any questions about whether a certain battery may or may not work with your particular keyboard.

Check Prices On Amazon

I have included links below to Amazon so that you can check current pricing – please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Talentcell YB1206000 Lithium Ion Battery

Talentcell YB1208300-USB Lithium Ion Battery

Talentcell YB12011000-USB Lithium Ion Battery

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Video Version Of This Review:

If you have any questions about my experience with the Talentcell battery, please feel free to contact me!

Piano Training I Recommend

I’ve taken a number of online piano courses; the ones I’m listing here are my favorites and I can highly recommend any of these if you are looking for some online training to get started on learning piano, or to take your current skills to the next level.