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 Author Thread: Rechargeable batteries
 quietjohn2

Joined: 12/6/2004
Msg: 1
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Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 2:13:01 PM
I've spent a fortune on rechargeable batteries for my electronic goodies and am beginning to wonder if it was a good idea. They don't last as long per charge as the alkaline variety and now their shelf-life after recharging seems to be going downhill rapidly.
This seems to be particularly bad on the Energizer AA and AAA batteries. My Radio Shack batteries seem to be maintaining their shelf-life better. Kodaks haven't done too well either and my Duracells haven't been around long enough to deteriorate.
Anyone else have any experience with rechargeables? Do you recommend or suggest avoiding particular brands?
 niceguyfargo

Joined: 5/15/2009
Msg: 2
Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 2:30:55 PM
I've tried to figure out this same issue considering I use them for every device. Energizer says they degrade at a 1.5% charge daily. After a week in my plastic carrier they go from 1.5v to 1.0v. They should be down to 1.34v after seven days. I think Energizers estimates are low or some other factors are coming into play. I read that freezing batteries helps but after careful testing it was the same. There are somethings you can do...don't lay them on top of each other, make sure they don't touch and plan to use them in less then a week after charging them. Certain devices (like the remote) require much less juice to operate properly. Laser mice require batteries to be fully charged!
 TheCoffeeSan

Joined: 5/1/2009
Msg: 3
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Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 4:42:02 PM
Part of the problem probably lies in the fact that your rechargeables are only putting out 1.2 (NiMH) or 1.25 (NiCd) volts. Anyway, some devices need that higher voltage of 1.5 to operate properly and some do just fine at the lower voltages. The real edge that rechargables have over alkalines is that they can keep the voltage steady longer under high drain. They put out great current and will usually last as long or longer than a alkaline battery will, assuming a 1.1 volt cutoff. Obviously your device is picky about its cutoff, and maybe it likes to have 1.15 or something, which would explain the shorter lifespan. Oh well...
 cooldude

Joined: 4/26/2004
Msg: 4
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Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 5:13:42 PM
Keep in mind rechargeable ones won't last forever. They will start to lose their charge faster toward the end of their life cycle which is around 300 charges. Then its time to get new ones.
 phinney

Joined: 12/17/2008
Msg: 5
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Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 6:41:03 PM
Top that off with the "memory" that the batteries recieve get and they arent the best


Battery memory is basically this(im making up numbers here):

you buy the batteries and their charged to about 95% or so, and you charge it up to 100%

You use the batteries until they go down to 5% of their total power and charge them up to 100%

Use it down to 5%, recharge to 100%

eventually 5% becomes the absolute lowest that battery can get, (so the batter now thinks that 5% is actually 0% or completely empty)

now, when you use your battery down so it has 5% of its life left, you're actually sitting at 10% remaining, but it thinks it only has 5% remaining

this continues until you're left with not even being able to charge your batteries
 niceguyfargo

Joined: 5/15/2009
Msg: 6
Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 6:49:11 PM
While that is true(1.2 nimh ( 2500maH)), after a full charge my volt meter reads 1.54v per battery using the Energizer charger. NiMH batteries don't have the dreaded "memory effect".
 fame9999

Joined: 5/4/2009
Msg: 7
Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/24/2009 8:15:59 PM
Duracells are the worst don't buy it whatever you do. I have great experience with energizer but if you don't use them they will discharge. Also you should charge them often even if you don't use them.
 quietjohn2

Joined: 12/6/2004
Msg: 8
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Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/25/2009 11:20:29 AM
Thanks for the feedback.

Top that off with the "memory" that the batteries recieve get and they arent the best.
All the batteries are NiMh and don't have a memory effect.

After a week in my plastic carrier they go from 1.5v to 1.0v.
Yes, that's the problem I'm seeing. Not using them, just keeping the charged ones ready for use and the voltage drops below 1V as measured on a voltmeter. Maybe the faulty ones would show up if we measured voltage under load.

Obviously your device is picky about its cutoff, and maybe it likes to have 1.15 or something.
Hasn't been a problem in the past and doesn't seem to be a problem for the green Radio Shack batteries which were bought at the same time and used in the same devices. They all work but 75% of my AA Energisers don't hold a charge. Not sure if there is a difference in the battery technology. Both are NiMh but the Energisers aren't as heavy.

..will usually last as long or longer than a alkaline battery will.
I was under the impression that rechargeables were only now getting to the point where they had as great a capacity as alkalines. Apparently the relatively new non-rechargeable oxyride last much longer than alkalines at only slightly higher cost.

Keep in mind rechargeable ones won't last forever....life cycle which is around 300 charges.
I've had them for 4 years but they last a lot longer than 4 days, so I'm sure they haven't seen close to 300 cycles.

This site has a good summary of battery types - oxyrides are an interesting new development! http://michaelbluejay.com/batteries/
 yulaw1

Joined: 6/27/2008
Msg: 9
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Rechargeable batteries
Posted: 5/27/2009 11:50:54 PM
I've always had good experiences with rechargables. I'd stick with rechargables for a long time. Saves a lot on buying batteries.
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