Best rechargeable batteries?

Tube

I have a guitar with an active pickup, and it gets through batteries like a son of a bitch. Can someone recommend me a long lasting AA battery type? Also, is it ok to keep a set on charge all the time?

EliteLamer

Radioshack is the best but they cost 19.99 a pack.

EliteLamer

http://www.batterieswholesale.com/nicad.htm

stigweard

Nimh over NiCad in most circumstances. NiCad don't run as long and develop a memory if you don't fully discharge every time. I used to get my rechargeables from http://www.mcminone.com but they don't have any good sales right now. Last time I picked up 32 Dynacharge (Duracell) 1800Mah AAs for 82c each. Right now they have a no name 1800Mah (I can't figure the brand) AA for 1.39.

Tube

So can I leave a set of Nimhs on to charge all the time without ill effects?

stigweard

It depends on the charger, but generally, yes it is fine. You want a smart charger that won't over charge, but will trickle charge to keep them topped up. Maha make great chargers. Also, don't use a quick charger if you want to leave them in.

I'm a heavy battery user (game controllers, remote controls, kids toys, digital camera, etc...), and I usually get 18-24 months out of a set of Nimh batteries before they are down to about 50-60% life. I tend to use no name batteries from known brands though since I see no reason to pay 5x as much to only get another year of life from them. Don't buy more than you need though, since leaving them unused tends to cause them to short out and die. Some smart chargers can 'resurrect' them' but I've never had much luck.

Chaotic Descent

stigweard wrote: »

It depends on the charger, but generally, yes it is fine. You want a smart charger that won't over charge, but will trickle charge to keep them topped up. Maha make great chargers. Also, don't use a quick charger if you want to leave them in.

I'm a heavy battery user (game controllers, remote controls, kids toys, digital camera, etc...), and I usually get 18-24 months out of a set of Nimh batteries before they are down to about 50-60% life. I tend to use no name batteries from known brands though since I see no reason to pay 5x as much to only get another year of life from them. Don't buy more than you need though, since leaving them unused tends to cause them to short out and die. Some smart chargers can 'resurrect' them' but I've never had much luck.

how do you make sure you get one that charges at the right rate? or is there really just "normal" and "quick"? I mean is it based on amps?

stigweard

It might just be my bad luck, but both quick chargers (15 minute with fans) I have shut off completely after completing their charge, instead of providing a trickle charge afterwards. The key thing you are looking for is a smart / intelligent charger. They have circuitry that monitors the charge progress and then prevents trying to charge dead batteries. You want a smart charger that has multiple independent circuits to control the charging of each battery, and can switch to a trickle charge, 30-50mA, after charging to keep the topped up. Cheap chargers don't have independent circuits, and generally use a timer instead of a proper monitor, and they can easily overcharge one or all of the batteries in it. They can also turn off after only one is topped up and the rest go undercharged. If you are going to order one online, try finding some reviews for it first. Imo, the charger is far more important than the brand of the battery, but I do stay away from the absolute cheapest no names if I don't know what company really manufactures them.