Rechargeable batteries

[peppy]

Are rechargeable batteries any count?

If so, I need a recommendation for rechargeable batteries. I need them for toys AA, C, and D.

Thanks,

[red-beard]

I'm not sure entirely what you're asking, but I use rechargables.

NiCads are nearly worthless.

NiMH work very well and work well on in Camera applications (High current for the CCD). Don't don't have the same memmory effect as NiCad

I don't know of Lithium rechargables in standard forms.

[pwd72s]

When our kid was home, I tried the ni-cad bit. She always complained they didn't last long enough...but with no alternative, she learned how to recharge. I really doubt that we saved any money, because they eventually failed.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by red-beard

NiMH work very well and work well on in Camera applications (High current for the CCD). Don't don't have the same memmory effect as NiCad

I don't know of Lithium rechargables in standard forms.

Got a point'n'shoot for the daughter a year or so back. Thing chewed standard AA"s up in less than a day. Switched to NiMH and she gets a week out of em.

[peppy]

Thanks, we got an ELMO Live for X-mas and it eats AA six at a time.

So NiMH are the way to go?

[onlycafe]

a friend gave me a canon power shot. it was going through 4 aa batteries in anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks . i just bought a duracell charger set last week.
will let you know how i like them after a thorough road test in a few more weeks. they need eight to twelve hours of charging time. they do come charged and ready to go right out of the package.
right after my purchase i learned that they now have a fifteen minute recharger.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by peppy

Thanks, we got an ELMO Live for X-mas and it eats AA six at a time.

So NiMH are the way to go?

I think so. Get 2 sets, and have one set in the charger.

[TerryH]

Perhaps short life batteries are a hidden blessing?

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by onlycafe

i just bought a duracell charger set last week.
will let you know how i like them after a thorough road test in a few more weeks. they need eight to twelve hours of charging time.

Similar to this?

Renu-It Battery Renewer
Don’t throw out that “dead” battery - renew it and save big! Works with rechargeables too! Thomas Edison invented the principle of Renu-It technology. He understood that an alkaline battery could be renewed by simply cleaning the cells. Using this principle, this Viatek system reliably and safely regenerates “dead” batteries by releasing the potential that’s already in the internal structure of the cell. Works with alkaline, NiCad, titanium, RAM and NiMH batteries, has four docks for 'AA' and 'AAA' batteries and delivers simultaneous renewal of mixed sizes and types. Built-in protection against overcharging, overheating, short circuits and polarity reversal. 1-year limited warranty.

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=renu-it-battery-renewer&PIN=72655&GUID=C45C9A32-EF14-4362-88F9-A956941FE5FD&BC=S&DL=SEH3

I'm considering buying one of those. That bit in red definitely appeals to me... I don't wanna have to watch it for fear of it overcharging/overheating.

I wonder how much "life" they "put back" in an alkaline battery.

In other words, if two AA's normally give 6 hours run time in something, after recharging, I wonder if it's another 6.

Or 4.

Or less. Just curious. Let me/us know.

[TerryH]

In nicad and nimh batteries crystals form to shorten life or kill a battery completely. They can be revived with a jolt of higher DC voltage and amperage.

I was given a very nice makita drill kit. The neighbor said both batteries are dead and they cost more than a new drill. I tried charging them and they would trip the circuit breaker in the charger and read zero volts. I jolted them with my truck battery and now they both charge to 11 volts and perform as new. Okay, more than a jolt, more like 2 minutes and the battery got only slightly warm. I'm sure battery size and jolt size has correlation. On smaller batteries, a battery charger might waken them.

I highly recommend goggles and long sleeves in case of explosion.

[peppy]

If you have ever had a battery blow up, then I don't think you would jump on that idea.

Yeah, I am chicken.

Thanks anyway, TerryH.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by TerryH

I jolted them with my truck battery and now they both charge to 11 volts and perform as new. Okay, more than a jolt, more like 2 minutes and the battery got only slightly warm.

Terry, were they NiMh or NiCd?

[onlycafe]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Similar to this?

Renu-It Battery Renewer
Don’t throw out that “dead” battery - renew it and save big! Works with rechargeables too! Thomas Edison invented the principle of Renu-It technology. He understood that an alkaline battery could be renewed by simply cleaning the cells. Using this principle, this Viatek system reliably and safely regenerates “dead” batteries by releasing the potential that’s already in the internal structure of the cell. Works with alkaline, NiCad, titanium, RAM and NiMH batteries, has four docks for 'AA' and 'AAA' batteries and delivers simultaneous renewal of mixed sizes and types. Built-in protection against overcharging, overheating, short circuits and polarity reversal. 1-year limited warranty.

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=renu-it-battery-renewer&PIN=72655&GUID=C45C9A32-EF14-4362-88F9-A956941FE5FD&BC=S&DL=SEH3






I'm considering buying one of those. That bit in red definitely appeals to me... I don't wanna have to watch it for fear of it overcharging/overheating.

I wonder how much "life" they "put back" in an alkaline battery.

In other words, if two AA's normally give 6 hours run time in something, after recharging, I wonder if it's another 6.

Or 4.

Or less. Just curious. Let me/us know.

mine is a duracell that came with "special" batteries.
i just threw four of my used regular bats into the charger, let you know later if they come back to life.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Terry, were they NiMh or NiCd?

They're ni-cd.

Yes, an explosion is possible.

** Disclaimer** The above post was for reference information only and not a how-to explanation nor recommendation. Injury could result from connecting unlike batteries.

[jyl]

Is there any particular brand of rechargeable NiMH AAs to look for? They are costly enough that I want to be sure to buy good ones.

Oops, should've searched first
http://www.rechargeable-battery-review.com/consumer-batteries/aa-battery-tests/aa-nimh-battery-performance.html

And an older test
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM
http://www.steves-digicams.com/nimh_batteries.html

[Rob Channell]

I like the NIMH versions. They lasted much longer per charge in my last digital camera than a new set of alkalines. I started using them for other devices as well. Eventually they will quit taking a charge but I think they are cheaper in the long run so I have kept using them.

I bought a few things from Thomas Distributing
http://www.thomas-distributing.com/index.htm. I picked up a Lacrosse charger that has a selectable charge current between 200 and 1000 milliamps. The slow current makes them have a longer life but it is nice to use the higher current when you need a quick charge. The last batteries I bought from them have a 5 year warranty. I'll be extremely happy if they make it.

Not affiliated, just a repeat customer....

[Won]

Originally Posted by jyl

Is there any particular brand of rechargeable NiMH AAs to look for? They are costly enough that I want to be sure to buy good ones.

Oops, should've searched first
http://www.rechargeable-battery-review.com/consumer-batteries/aa-battery-tests/aa-nimh-battery-performance.html

And an older test
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM
http://www.steves-digicams.com/nimh_batteries.html

I bought a 16 pack or something of generic NiMH from Ebay many years ago. Review sites usually put scary warnings about the "generic" batteries dying an early death and so on but the ones I got lasted just as long as the Energizer ones bought at the same time and they had higher capacity. I suspect that once you go beyond the brands, all batteries come from a limited number of sources, like many other electronics these days.

[Baz]

Reviving this almost 9 year old thread to see if anyone is using rechargeable batteries and what is working best for them.

My first digital camera used AA's but subsequent cameras did not but now I have trail cameras that use them so need to bone back up on what's working....tia!

[pwd72s]

Good Q&A on rechargables can be found here:

https://www.batterystuff.com/

[Jims5543]

I have one of those key code front door dead bolts. Normal throw away Duracell type batteries were going dead every 4 months or so. I purchased these Panasonic batteries in March last year, I finally put them to use in April 2017 and they are still not dead. By the sound of the deadbolt moving I would say I am about 3-4 weeks away from having to recharge them. I researched rechargeable batteries and these came up as some of the best reviewed.

I purchased 4 of them with a wall charger for $22

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JHKSL1O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then purchased 4 more for an additional 4 batteries so I can just swap as needed for $20 more.... I know, the charger was only $2. I shoudl have just purchased two of the $22 packages.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JHKSL28/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1