Dr. Biegel

Sounds like you've done it all! I'm 73 and I'm still trying to figure out what the cosmological meaning and purpose of the whole thing is. If I figure it out I'll let you know. In the meantime, I just noticed that the WK6600 has a 12V tip positive input. I used a magnifying glass to read the fine print on the power supply, and it surely says that the output=12V. Yet the instrument, when operated on battery power, somehow requires only 6 batteries. Hmmm, let's see how much math I remember. 6x1.5 = 9V. They're bellyaching about how rechargeable batteries shouldn't be used because "they often operate at a lower voltage and/or have a lower capacity than standard (non-rechargeable) batteries". What the heck? The instrument would appear to require 12V. How the heck can it run on 9V at all, regardless of battery type?

Hey Jockeyman123, even though I've been in this user group for only a day, I already know you, because I immediately discovered your guide to disassembly of the WK6600. What a find! For over 30 years I have been playing a Kurzweil SP88 piano, which was only possible because I found a web page explaining how to open the sucker up. This I have had to do at least once a year. I've repaired innumerable keys, usually because the lead weight breaks off, creating a dreadful knocking sound, but I also once had to replace the on-off switch. By the way, the key weights are really unnecessary - the action isn't all that different if you play without them, but I'm a bit of an O-C sort of guy, and I glue them back in anyway (I only use JB Weld). Your instructions for disassembly of the WK6600 are truly terrifying - I pray I'll never need to open it up. But if I do have to, I know that I can now. So I thank you for that. As for the electric issue, I thank you also for steering me to the power pack solution. I will definitely look into this. I've also written back to Casio, specifically asking whether their advice (i.e., to NOT use rechargeables) is based on the possibility of internal damage, or whether the instrument will simply not perform correctly with sub-optimal voltage. I doubt they'll answer the question, because saying anything other than "DON'T USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES - THAT WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY" will frighten their legal team. But I asked the question anyway. I'll let you know how it goes....

With wireless buds and 6 D-type batteries, this piano would be great for gigs, especially open mic sorts, where it's nice to be able to get on and offstage fast. But the batteries are only good for 4 hours. Buying 6 D-type alkaline batteries every time I play seems like an expensive proposition. What about recharageables? The manual says: "Use alkaline or zinc-carbon batteries. Never use oxyride or any other nickel based batteries." Huh? Why not? They don't say. I wrote to them. Here's their reply: Thank you for contacting Casio America. We do not recommend using rechargeable batteries because they often operate at a lower voltage and/or have a lower capacity than standard (non-rechargeable) batteries. Well, that's not very helpful now, is it? My question is: If one uses rechargeable batteries on this instrument, will there merely be possible performance issues (which I'm willing to chance), or will the electronics actually be damaged? Has anyone tried rechargeables?