Rechargeable AA batteries

[jyl]

Rechargeable AA batteries. Anyone use 'em?

My dad gave me several sets with chargers. I've not had much luck using them. Some devices don't seem to work at all with the rechargeables, others go low battery pretty quickly.

For example, I put a pair in one of my Blink wireless security cameras. They lasted about 1/3 as long as a standard pair of alkalines.

[stomachmonkey]

Depends on usage.

NiMH and NiCd will last significantly longer in high discharge rate devices, think digital cameras.

But, shelf life of alkaline is significantly higher because their self discharge rate is so much lower

A Blink, in order to be convenient, is not designed to be a high discharge device so rechargeable batteries won't last as long because they basically cannibalize themselves.

[LWJ]

I think they put out a touch less voltage compared to alkaline. I used them for a while. Don't now.

They would be fine for something like an incandescent flashlight. So many things are voltage sensitive that I stopped.

Too bad. A great idea.

[wdfifteen]

What Scott said. I have Eneloop NMH rechargeables for things like flashlights and the camera flash. I use a good conditioning recharger. It will put the maximum charge in the battery but it’s touchy. If you discharge the battery past a certain point it won’t recognize it as a battery and won’t recharge it. Don’t run them totally dead or you’ll have to get a cheapo $9 charger to pump enough electrons into it for the smart charger to recognize it. LWJ is right they don’t charge up past 1.5 volts and some devices are sensitive to that (like my game camera).
I put alkalines in devices where the draw is low and they stay in the device for months (smoke detectors, electronic door locks).
The game camera shuts down once the alkaline discharges to something like 1.48 volts - lasts about 2 nights and they’re done. The Eneloops last one night, but they can be recharged to live another night, and another, etc.

[look 171]

I have a bunch of Eneloop AAs with a smart charger (30 bucks). It charges all kinds of small typical AA rechargeable batteries including 18650 for my flashlights.

[Cajundaddy]

Lots of old school NiCad rechargeable AAs that suck. Modern Eneloop batteries typically last 2-3x as long as alkaline, are good for 2000 charge cycles, and never ever leak and damage your expensive gear. That is all I ever use for camera gear, strobes, flashlights, underwater dive lights, or anything that draws a lot of juice and needs rapid recycle time (camera strobes).

There are other good brands of rechargeable NiMH AAs, I have just gone nearly 100% Eneloop and am totally pleased.

https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/battery/eneloop/technologies.html

[John Rogers]

I tried the rechargeable batteries several years ago and as some noted they sort of sucked. I found it easier to buy the battery packs at Costco or even free ones ay Harbor Freight!

[drew1]

I like the rechargeables for some things, but for others not so good.

Instead of 1.5 Volts like the alkalines they just hold 1.2 Volts. They would go down quickrr than alkaline in my LED XL50 mini Maglight that I used at work. Instead of gradual dimming it was light, then no light.

But for somethings I really liked them. Back when Penny, my dog, was alive, about losing her one night convinced me I needed a tracking collar. The Garmin Astro had been working good It had a battery level indicator and when low I had replaced a set of alkalines with Radio Shack giveaway alkalines. That night the Garmin went through the calibrations and setting to the dog collar fine. After Penny was off the lease, everything was still good then went haywire. I just cut it off. Later, I cut it back on and everything was good but then went crazy again. From then on I used rechargables in the Garmin and never had another problem with it.

[VincentVega]

I've been using EBL li-ions, good stuff. Quick charge and good life.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

I tried the rechargeable batteries several years ago and as some noted they sort of sucked. I found it easier to buy the battery packs at Costco or even free ones ay Harbor Freight!

Try the Enloops with a smart charger. You will never go back to regular batteries again.

https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-K-KJ17MZ104A-eneloop-Advanced-Battery/dp/B00N05RL22/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1541444863&sr=8-10&keywords=enloop Cheaper charger

This is a better charger
https://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-D4-Charger-EdisonBright-Converter/dp/B00L10CO7U/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1541444999&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=nitecore+charger&psc=1

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

I've been using EBL li-ions, good stuff. Quick charge and good life.

This - been getting good results on these

[Eric Coffey]

+1 for the Panasonic Eneloops PRO NiMh rechargeables. They are great for anything with a narrow voltage range.
For stuff that works fine/better at higher voltages, I'd look for a good Li-Ion in the applicable form-factor/cell size (AA = 14500, etc.).
For stuff that accepts Li-Ions, but may be sitting for extended periods of time (glove-box flashlights, etc.), I'd go with Li-Ion primary (non-rechargeable) cells.

Regardless, there are TONS of counterfeit cells and re-wraps out there, so stick with a reputable brand name from a reputable vendor.
Unless you are 100% sure of the source, I'd avoid buying batteries off of Amazon or especially eBay. YMMV

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by look 171

Try the Enloops with a smart charger. You will never go back to regular batteries again.

+1
Battery technology has changed a lot in the past 5 years. A smart charger is key.

[Zeke]

I have a bunch of the Amazon ones and some others. They all suck. Maybe the newer stuff is better — hope so because I go through way too many batteries. So far the copper top ones seem the most robust. Rechargeable ones last less than a week in a TV remote.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Rechargeable ones last less than a week in a TV remote.

?? If it can destroy a battery in less than a week there is something wrong with the remote. The rechargeable in my tv remote is 8 or so years old. I recharge it once a week to 10 days. Never a problem.

[Mark Henry]

I've never had any luck with AA except it in my Panasonic phones.
I've had to replace the batteries (about 10-15 yrs/old), but they have always worked flawlessly. Likely because they sit in their chargers.

I have a Nikon camera(s) that use rechargeables and I've bought amazon aftermarket batteries as spares. The aftermarket batteries are nowhere near as good as the real deal at holding a charge.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I have a bunch of the Amazon ones and some others. They all suck. Maybe the newer stuff is better — hope so because I go through way too many batteries. So far the copper top ones seem the most robust. Rechargeable ones last less than a week in a TV remote.

The AA Eneloops in my key board last about 4 months. I use it daily. Give it a try.

[T77911S]

i have found they suck.

my wife keeps buying them but it seems like when I need one its bad.
we had them when the boy remote control devices and they seemed to be better, perhaps because they were used more.

some things LIKE them better, like cameras. had a camera that would EAT up regular batts, but rechargers would last much longer.

[Admin at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A smart charger is key.

Another vote for a smart charger here. I went with one of these and have had zero issues over the last two years. I'm actually running a little test on my new Harmony remote and it's still hanging in there after two months.

[bleucamaro]

The Enenloops are really great. I also have some of the energizer NiMH's. No complaints with them, but prefer the eneloops.