Rechargable batteries

spookymuffin

It's been a long time coming. With the widespread use of wireless controllers, mice, cameras, and what have you, I'm simply tired of buying batteries. Hopefully, someone out there in PA has felt this bug and can offer guidance on the subject. Anyone out there have good info, recommendations, or advice on what are good brands, chargers, and other stuff I might need?

Barrakketh

For most of my devices I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries, but any other low self-discharge battery should be fine (like Rayovac Hybrids). Higher capacity batteries for digital cameras should ideally be charged the day they are going to be used as their self-discharge rates can be very high. NiMH batteries aren't fond of high temperatures, so store them in a cool place.

For chargers I own a Maha MH-C9000 charger/analyzer (four slots) and a Maha MH-C801D charger (eight slots), both AA/AAA chargers. In addition to being used as a charger the MH-C9000 is used to test batteries and form new ones (which is a slow process).

Jeak

I buy unbranded AA's from ebay. They work just as well, and I get 16 for the price of four branded batteries.

ZackSchilling

Honestly, my best rechargables are a set of no-name 1800mAh AAs that I found at the Christmas Tree Shops (a store that sells mostly cheap, Chinese-made seasonal items). They handily beat the more expensive cells from Duracell and Energizer. They might say 2800 or 2400mAh, but it's all filthy lies. Those cells are shit. I have about 20 Energizers that I had to throw out after one year because they stopped taking a charge. The Duracells I have are headed the same way. Avoid.

Wetsun

Seconding Eneloop because of the extremely slow discharge time (they actually come pre-charged from the store). Haven't had any problems with them dying before I'm ready to use them.

Was a little over $20 at Costco for a set of 8AA, 4AAA, C/D adapters, and the charger.

The Energizer high-capacity ones (used them for my camera) seem to lose their charge in two days or so at first, but after a few months they would need to be used within hours. Wouldn't recommend them unless you want to be constantly managing your charger.

ArcSyn

I'm going to be watching this thread closely, as I need to pick up some new ones.

I had 4 Rayovak AAs from Radio Shack that I've been using for 2.5 years in my Wii remotes, and they are pretty bad now. Full charge is pretty much 3 LEDs now and they only last a few days before needing to be recharged. I bought another set of 4 Energizer that I've had for maybe 2 years now and they're a bit better than the Rayovak, but still getting worse quickly now. But I think 2 years is about the expected lifetime anyway for rechargeable batteries.

What are the thoughts on using rechargeable AAs vs. things like the rechargeable battery packs sold for the Wii/360? Is one better than the other?

RandomEngy

Yeah I like Eneloops. Self-discharge is the most annoying part about rechargeable batteries. You go to swap out your dead rechargeables and, bam, the ones you had sitting around as a replacement are dead too.

As for a charger, I love my La Crosse BC-900.

Barrakketh

ArcSyn wrote: »

I had 4 Rayovak AAs from Radio Shack that I've been using for 2.5 years in my Wii remotes, and they are pretty bad now. Full charge is pretty much 3 LEDs now and they only last a few days before needing to be recharged. I bought another set of 4 Energizer that I've had for maybe 2 years now and they're a bit better than the Rayovak, but still getting worse quickly now. But I think 2 years is about the expected lifetime anyway for rechargeable batteries.

Two years is typical, but it depends on usage. I make it a point to do a deep discharge (on my charger that's down to .9 volts) every 3-6 months because it reduces large crystal formation in the battery. NiMH batteries don't really suffer from memory effect like NiCD batteries do, but it does happen over time.

Daedalus

ArcSyn wrote: »

What are the thoughts on using rechargeable AAs vs. things like the rechargeable battery packs sold for the Wii/360? Is one better than the other?

Those battery packs pretty much just contain two NiMH cells in a fancy plastic case. They're the same as using rechargable AAs, except you can't use them with any other devices.

And on that note, I've had pretty good luck with the Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargable batteries, myself, but this is all anecdotal.