9v for Bluetooth - no lights?

When disconnected from the USB cable and with just the 9v plugged in, I see no lights (green on the board or red on the bluetooth) but the 9v tests okay with a voltmeter. Other than that, everything else woks great. Am I missing something? If this is a defect then, I was wondering if anyone attempted to deliver 6vdc battery power using a modified USB connector as a possible backup option?