Rechargeable batteries

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JamesCoste

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My wife and I just got through installing batteries in all of the kids new electronic toys:<br />- a walking T-Rex for my 5-year old son.<br />- a CD player for my 6-year old daughter.<br />- an MP3 player for my 10-year old son.<br />- etc.<br /><br />We are thinking of purchasing some rechargeable batteries. I can get 12 AA and 12 AAA high capacity NiMH Rechargeable batteries for $27 + shipping.<br /><br />According to the manufacturer, these things can be recharged up to 1000 times. They also last about 3 times longer than the best Alkaline battery. For more "fun" facts, read here: Rechargeable battery info. <br /><br />We have a charger (came with our digital camera) that will charge 4 AA batteries and 2 AAA batteries in about 4 hours.<br /><br />If we are happy with our purchase, we will also buy some C, D, and 9-volt batteries and a charger.<br /><br />If these are such a good deal, why isn't everybody using rechargeable batteries?
 
eeboater

eeboater

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

James,<br /><br />I made the investment on the charger and now only use these types of rechargable batteries in my stuff:<br /><br /> Energizer Rechargable <br /><br />They are great... <br /><br />I use them in my coordless KB & mouse and regularly completely discharge them (similar to cd player & MP3 player) and they still have not lost their strength. I've been using them for a little over 1.5 years now too.<br /><br />I agree... I don't know why people don't use rechargable batteries.<br /><br />Sean
 
aspeck

aspeck

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

I basically only use the rechargeables.
 
X

Xcusme

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

I agree, rechargable batteries are the way to go. Years ago I found this outfit on the web Link<br /><br />Their Maha charger is one of the best. It's a smart charger. MAHA MH-C204W
 
KaGee

KaGee

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

Only buy NiMH, stay away from NiCAD.<br />NiMH have no memory.<br />The only downside, they don't store well.<br />You'll find you have to recharge after setting for a while.<br />Also, look at the battery rating. Not all AA rechargables are created equal. Some are as low as 1100mah while some are over 2000mah.
 
N

ndemge

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

I bought some for the camera about 3 years ago, they were 2,000 mah NiMH, got about 3 years out of them, now I'm in the market to buy some new ones.<br /><br />Looking at some of those large lots on ebay, just hope they aren't junk. Probably all made by the same place anyway.<br /><br /><br />We use alkaline in some of the toys that just make a little noise, they usually last over a year. <br />Recharables are great when the kids like to play with flashlights.
 
Z

ZmOz

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

Originally posted by Xcusme:<br />Their Maha charger is one of the best. It's a smart charger. MAHA MH-C204W
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I've had that charger for years. Works GREAT. I think it's probably the best charger you can get for the price. Don't go with a cheap "dumb" charger, you'll just end up cooking the batteries.<br /><br />As for how long they last, that depends on the device. High drain devices like CD players and cameras do very well with NiMh, but with lower power devices you'll only get the same or less power than alkalines.
 
J

JamesCoste

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

The AA batteries from the site from which I linked are 2300mAh NiMH and are only about $2 each (depending on the quantity you buy). <br /><br />I'll look into a good charger like the one mentioned.<br /><br />Thanks again for the feedback.
 
L

Link

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

Originally posted by JamesCoste:<br /> If these are such a good deal, why isn't everybody using rechargeable batteries?
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LOL guess you got the answer ;) <br />Been using them since they first came out. They sure have come a long way (both batteries and chargers)in the last 15 years or so.
 
JB

JB

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

Still using the NiMH I got for my digicam 5 years ago. Shelf life seems limited, so I charge the spares a day or so before I install them.
 
Z

ZmOz

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

Originally posted by JamesCoste:<br /> The AA batteries from the site from which I linked are 2300mAh NiMH and are only about $2 each (depending on the quantity you buy).
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Target, Home Depot, and Lowes all sell a 4 pack of either Energizer or Duracell 2500mah batteries for $10, with no shipping cost of course. The cells are actually made by Sanyo, who makes some of the highest quality batteries you can buy.<br /><br />Another great thing about the charger mentioned above is that when it's done charging, it constantly trickle charges the batteries...so if you leave a set in there, they're always topped off and ready to go.
 
JasonJ

JasonJ

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

I have one of those touch screen remotes for my home theater that could fly the Space Shuttle. It takes 4 AAA batteries, and it would kill a set in about two weeks. I switched to the energizer rechargeable batteries about three years ago, they still are working great. I have to recharge them about every three weeks or so. I use rechargeables in everything, its the only way to go...
 
D

dogsdad

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Re: Rechargeable batteries

I bought an Olympus digital camera some years back. I also bought a bunch of rechargable NiMH batteries and a charger. It all worked fine for a brief time, but the batteries soon became too weak to power the camera up. <br /><br />The cell that normally comes with the camera is a 3-volt cell. Two NiMH batteries provide 2.4 volts, and the camera doesn't like that.<br /><br />I have since found some rechargable alkaline cells that charge up to 1.5 volts, so two of them provide 3 volts. The camera is much happier running on 3 volts that it was trying to run on 2.4 volts (2 x 1.2 volts).<br /><br /><br />-dd-
 
W

walleyehed

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Jun 29, 2003
Messages
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Re: Rechargeable batteries

Maybe you all know this, but NiMH batts require a different charge system than Nicads do...<br />A Nicad charger will cook the NiMH..<br />all AA batts are 1.2 residual voltage, and as high as 1.7 at full charge..Nicads have a gradual drop from 1.7 to 1.2, then drop off quick, but if allowed to drop much lower than 1 vlt, the Nicad can reverse it's own polarity.<br />The NiMH holds for a longer (Much) period of time from 1.7 to 1.2, and when it drops it goes quick, very quick
 
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