jme

hi guys , can anyone help with this problem , my favourite gigging bass is a dean ,it has emg pick-up with an internal pre amp(least i think thats wot it is) an each time i replace the battery it lasts about 5 or 6 songs (half hour max) before its drained an the sound completly drops out of my bass, can i just rip out the pre amp an wire the pickups without it ???