Rechargeable aa etc. batteries.

[acer66]

Looking into getting some rechargeable batteries for remotes etc..
Most demanding application will be a mouse trap
that will be out in the cold/heat.
Are some brands signifiant better or to be avoided?

Thank you.

 

[pioneer1]

look at Panasonic Eneloop

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I've used Duracell "greens" for awhile with no problems. Camera, remotes, clocks, faux candles, etc. most a "AA", a couple of "AAA"'s.

 

[mike_aa]

look at Panasonic Eneloop

Another vote for the Eneloop. When I was doing a lot of photography, I had multiple sets for my flash units. Always worked well! The Duracells were good, too, but I think the ones made in Japan were the best to get. Last time I bought them was a number of years ago so I don't know if that's still true.

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah I'd get the Eneloops. I think Sanyo and Panasonic both sell them under their brands. Also, I hear that Ikea sells them for half the price under their own brand, but I have no first hand knowledge of that.

I bought 2 of these sets for $10 on clearance at Best Buy a few years back. They also sell smaller packs. I think these kits are usually $40. It's nice not having to pay for or go fetch batteries at the store.

The C and D's are actually spacers that you stick a AA into.

 

[Heap64]

Eneloop for the win! I have some 6 or 7 years old and they are still doing their job in my camera flashes.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[acer66]

Thanks for the infos, looks like eneloop it is and wow jd_1138, for $10 I would emptied the whole shelf.

I just can not find eneloop c batteries but the duracell green K'ledgeBldr recommended I can find so it looks like I am set.

Thank you.

 

[jd_1138]

Thanks for the infos, looks like eneloop it is and wow jd_1138, for $10 I would emptied the whole shelf.

I just can not find eneloop c batteries but the duracell green K'ledgeBldr recommended I can find so it looks like I am set.

Thank you.

Eneloop has spacers you can use -- just put a AA into the spacer thing and it turns it into a C or a D. The kits came with them (also sold separately).

Yeah I bought all 2 of them left on the shelf at $10. For $10, you can barely get a Ray-o-vac charger and a 2 pack of AA ni-mh's. But the cheaper ones like Ray-o-vac, Energizer, etc. are better than nothing. Also, HF sells rechargeable batteries and chargers.

 

[alfazer]

I just read the Ah or mAh rating and go for the highest at my budget.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not worth the cost ! Go with a good brand of AA and buy in "bulk". Duracell sells off their "open packages" by the pound, cheap. eBayer buy them up and repackage them. I have bought hundred of them and never had a bad experience.

The exception is any thing with an electric motor that see a long run time (kids toys like race cars). Those are worth spending the money for rechargeable batteries.

Worth watching :

Which AA Battery is Best? Can Amazon Basics beat Energizer? Let's find out!
Which Rechargeable Battery is the Best? Let's find out!
Which Rechargeable Battery is Best for Low Self-Discharge? Let's find out!

If you are going to buy rechargeable batteries, especially more than just a couple, spend the extra money and buy a charger that charges the batteries INDIVIDUALLY, like the Powerex MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger. Not cheap, but it does a much better job of charging.

 

[BillK]

Not worth the cost !

Why do you say that ????? The prices have come way down and you can recharge them hundreds of times. I have had the same set of 8 in one of my handheld Ham Radio's for at least 5 years. They get charged at least once a week.

Do the math and I think you will rethink your statement.

 

[ajchien]

My thoughts on batteries just changed this past year.

Things I consider now:
1) does the device have a low voltage warning? If so, I avoid the rechargeable NiMH batteries because they’re at 1.2v instead of 1.5v. The low battery warnings come on way too often it becomes annoying. Smoke alarms, for example.
2) is it an expensive device? Then I avoid the alkaline cells. I don’t want any battery leakage destroying these devices. This would be stuff like my multimeter or obd2 scanner. I’m using primary lithium cells for these now.
3) is it a high battery use device? Game remotes, and toys, this is a great use for NiMH. Unless the high use device also has a low battery warning. I’m that case, I’ve been starting to use the rechargeable lithium’s. Although their reliability is a bit suspect.
4) low energy draw, cheap device, I use regular alkaline - wall clocks.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not worth the cost !

Why do you say that ????? The prices have come way down and you can recharge them hundreds of times. I have had the same set of 8 in one of my handheld Ham Radio's for at least 5 years. They get charged at least once a week.

Do the math and I think you will rethink your statement.

Your case is another EXCEPTION to my rule. (Not many hams left in the world.) That radio probably gets used for hours at a time and when transmitting it uses a lot power. Higher power devices that would consume a set of alkaline batteries in under 4-8 hours AND that might get used that long, are THE PERFECT CASE for rechargeables. Got to keep a second set charged ready to go ! (I am betting all of the new ham handhelds are using lithium.)

OP said "... for remotes etc." (likely flashlights). Many, many hours between uses left to self-discharge, and the power consumption is very low. My remote control batteries last many months. Same with the batteries in my wireless mouse.

 

[theoldwizard1]

2) is it an expensive device? Then I avoid the alkaline cells. I don’t want any battery leakage destroying these devices. This would be stuff like my multimeter or obd2 scanner.

I know it is a pain in the ****, but devices like that only get used "every once in awhile" and then left in storage for weeks/months should really have their batteries removed, irregardless of battery chemistry.

 

[Motown]

Ikea rechargeables are suposed to re-branded Enelopp's.

 

[niget2002]

I've been using the Amazon branded ones lately with good luck.

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[rayra]

Another vote for eneloops, I use them in a lot of household electronics and keep a bunch in a fishing lure organizer with a lot of other batteries and their ability to hold a charge when unused is fantastic.

Costco has good deals on combo Eneloop packages with chargers.

Amazon has some Amazon-branded rechargeable AAs that are well rate, too. Usually somewhere under $2ea
AmazonBasics AA Rechargeable Batteries (8-Pack) Pre-charged - Battery Packaging May Vary

 

[acer66]

I know it is a pain in the ****, but devices like that only get used "every once in awhile" and then left in storage for weeks/months should really have their batteries removed, irregardless of battery chemistry.

Good point, in a remote less then a year old one leaked very little and almost killed the retaining spring.



Thank you for all the info.

 

[HenryAZ]

look at Panasonic Eneloop

Eneloop Pros are 2550 mAh, vs 2100 mAh for the regulars. Either type of Eneloop has proven to me to be best/most long lasting of any of the AA rechargables.

 

[BillK]

(Not many hams left in the world.)

Actually the number of Amateur Radio Licenses in the US is the highest it has ever been and growing Not sure about world wide but there is certainly not a shortage. But that is off topic.

I have not found a single application where NiMh rechargeable batteries have not worked perfectly. They are in anything I own that has a battery.

OP said "... for remotes etc." (likely flashlights). Many, many hours between uses left to self-discharge, and the power consumption is very low. My remote control batteries last many months. Same with the batteries in my wireless mouse.

I have them in flashlights, remotes, wireless mouse etc. I just don't see a problem with them. I bet the ones in the TV remote have been in there at least a year. I have a rack mounted on the wall in the garage that holds them and the charger. I always have some of each size charged and ready to go. I don't think I have bought a battery in a few years now.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Eneloop has spacers you can use -- just put a AA into the spacer thing and it turns it into a C or a D. The kits came with them (also sold separately).

I did that once. The problem is the voltage may be the same, but the difference in capacity is huge. A battery with higher mAH rating has to be physically bigger for a reason.

Tommy

 

[theoldwizard1]

Actually the number of Amateur Radio Licenses in the US is the highest it has ever been and growing

But interesting and surprising ! Anybody QRP on home brew or has that died ?

I have not found a single application where NiMh rechargeable batteries have not worked perfectly.

I never said they would not work. Just not cost effective. When you are down to 25¢/cell (Amazon Basic alkaline - 100 quantity) for AA (20¢ for AAA) it is hard to justify $1.50/cell (Amazon Basic NiMh 2000 mAh - 16 quantity).

If you have them, USE THEM ! 6+ year pay back on a remote control is not worth it.

 

[tym]

Another vote for Eneloops. My understanding is that C and D versions are available for ex-US markets.

 

[jd_1138]

I did that once. The problem is the voltage may be the same, but the difference in capacity is huge. A battery with higher mAH rating has to be physically bigger for a reason.

Tommy

It depends on the use scenario. I have a couple old school flashlights that take D's (or C's), and they are fine in them. As they are barely used. If they do ever go dim, just pop in more recharged AA's into them.

 

[nh_yota]

I invested quite a bit in Rayovac Renewal batteries back in the 90's when they were supposedly the greatest invention since sliced bread. After using them for a few years I found that rechargeable batteries are not worth their added cost in the majority of situations. Sure they might make sense for something you use frequently like a flashlight or radio, but I wouldn't bother using them in remote controls or other things that don't go through batteries very often.

 

[mcbane]

For high capacity D batteries, I have had good luck with the powerex rechargeables. 10 amp hours. While alkaline D's are typically rated for 17 amp hours, that only happens with very slow rates of discharge. Usable capacity at higher currents is abysmal. My laser level can run 7 hours on brand new duracell D batteries, but goes 10 hours on the powerex batteries. I hit the break even point in my first week of using the laser.

 

[Nocturncal]

Where do you go to buy your eneloops?

I haven't pulled the trigger on getting some myself because of the amount of fakes sold online.

 

[ArcticGabe]

My thoughts on batteries just changed this past year.

Things I consider now:
1) does the device have a low voltage warning? If so, I avoid the rechargeable NiMH batteries because they’re at 1.2v instead of 1.5v. The low battery warnings come on way too often it becomes annoying. Smoke alarms, for example.
2) is it an expensive device? Then I avoid the alkaline cells. I don’t want any battery leakage destroying these devices. This would be stuff like my multimeter or obd2 scanner. I’m using primary lithium cells for these now.
3) is it a high battery use device? Game remotes, and toys, this is a great use for NiMH. Unless the high use device also has a low battery warning. I’m that case, I’ve been starting to use the rechargeable lithium’s. Although their reliability is a bit suspect.
4) low energy draw, cheap device, I use regular alkaline - wall clocks.

This is spot on! The best usage for rechargable NiMh batteries is for devices with high current draw.

For high capacity D batteries, I have had good luck with the powerex rechargeables. 10 amp hours. While alkaline D's are typically rated for 17 amp hours, that only happens with very slow rates of discharge. Usable capacity at higher currents is abysmal. My laser level can run 7 hours on brand new duracell D batteries, but goes 10 hours on the powerex batteries. I hit the break even point in my first week of using the laser.

While Eneloop are the popular favorites (because they are easy to find at most stores), the absolute best NiMh batteries for high current current draw use are Powerex! These things take a licking and keep on ticking. We abused the hell out of several sets of AAs during the winter in 2-way radios. We'd drain them hard, let them sit for days or weeks, then recharge them, and they kept right on going like day one. I used to let my batteries just sit all summer long then get them out again next winter. This went on for about 6 years ON THE SAME SET OF BATTERIES!!

I'll never buy another brand.

 

[mmb617]

I invested quite a bit in Rayovac Renewal batteries back in the 90's when they were supposedly the greatest invention since sliced bread. After using them for a few years I found that rechargeable batteries are not worth their added cost in the majority of situations.

I had a similar experience and it soured me on the rechargeable route for AA/AAA batteries. But with how good the present day lithium batteries work in power tools I'd guess the small rechargeable batteries are much better now than in the old NiCad days. But I don't use enough of those batteries anymore to make it worthwhile. I can buy a 24 pack of alkaline AA and they last me years. I use even fewer AAA's.