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Does anybody use rechargeable batteries? I recently bought a battery charger and a pack of AA rechargeable batteries. The batteries are a generic brand, BTY.
The problem, using them in devices that I normally change out regular Duracell batteries every two months I'm having to recharge these batteries every two days.
Right now I have stopped using them and gone back to the Duracell batteries. I’m wondering if I buy a pack of Duracell rechargeable batteries, can I expect the performance to be similar to the performance of the regular Duracell batteries, or if I would still have to be recharging them every other day.
So does anybody have experience with rechargeable batteries? Is my problem, cheap batteries, or is it just the nature of rechargeable batteries that the charge only lasts a couple of days?
I use rechargeable batteries in my remote controls. Your right, they don't last very long and they are not recommended for any of my LED flashlights. The voltage is 1.2 instead of a normal battery being at 1.5. You can't really use them for high drain devices without recharging frequently. I'm already invested in a lot of rechargeable batteries but if I was starting again, I probably wouldn't do it. Too many limitations. The one nice thing, is that i never had a rechargeable battery leak and damage any devices. I've had a number of alkaline batteries leak.
Maybe it also depends what you're using them in. I have a rechargeable in my alarm clock and I can't even remember the last time I changed it. I use rechargeables in my camera and when I'm taking a lot of pictures I'm changing the batteries every few days.
I use Duracells and if you're seeing a difference between name brand and generic then that's probably the problem.
There is something wron with your batteries. Rechargeables may not last as long as regular, but they should last weeks.
I have used rechargeables in wireless Xbox controllers and they last a few weeks and those controllers use way more power than many AA devices.
ABQConvict is right. Rechargeable batteries may not last as long as regular alkaline batteries, but they should last longer than you're experiencing. Rechargeable batteries are typically NiMH, which do not have the "memory issues" of the old NiCad batteries. They tend to last longer each cycle, degrade slower, and hold more capacity. However, all rechargeable batteries seem to produce less voltage than their alkaline counterparts. Thy typically produce between 1.2-1.5V and generally need to be recharged when they drop below 1.3V.
I've been using rechargeable batteries since the early 90s and have found the most success with Duracell, Eneloop, and Sony batteries. I buy them when the are on sale through Amazon, Newegg, etc and haven't had any issues. I still use alkaline batteries in my hard to access electronics, but things like remote controls, wireless keyboards/mice, weather stations, scales, holiday decor, etc, I insist on using rechargeables.
I have Duracell and Eneloop (like the Eneloop a lot and got a good deal on Amazon as I recall, I first had a set from Ritz Camera). Probably buying some no-name cheapo ones is an issue as well.
Maybe it also depends what you're using them in. I have a rechargeable in my alarm clock and I can't even remember the last time I changed it. I use rechargeables in my camera and when I'm taking a lot of pictures I'm changing the batteries every few days.
I use Duracells and if you're seeing a difference between name brand and generic then that's probably the problem.
The main thing I have been using them in is my Apple Magic Trackpad. I’m using it all the time, but normally I only change the batteries after two plus months. Actually probably more like three plus months, Because I bought the charger and the batteries in mid-October. I tried the batteries in several devices, and they didn’t last more then two days in anything. About a week ago the batteries in my track pad were going dead, so I decided to charge up the rechargeables and try them. In less then a week I had swapped out and recharged the batteries three times, when I gave up on them. At first I thought maybe I wasn’t charging them enough. But the last couple of times I left them in the charger for two days, and took them right out and put them in the track pad. No change, they still died in two days.
I suppose the charger could be the problem, but I think it’s the cheap batteries. So I think I’m going to try and buy two Duracell StayCharged Batteries, and test them out in this charger. If I can’t get them to last longer then two days, then I’m going to give up on rechargeable batteries. Because swapping batteries out every two days is just not worth the trouble.
There is something wron with your batteries. Rechargeables may not last as long as regular, but they should last weeks.
I have used rechargeables in wireless Xbox controllers and they last a few weeks and those controllers use way more power than many AA devices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwong7
ABQConvict is right. Rechargeable batteries may not last as long as regular alkaline batteries, but they should last longer than you're experiencing. Rechargeable batteries are typically NiMH, which do not have the "memory issues" of the old NiCad batteries. They tend to last longer each cycle, degrade slower, and hold more capacity. However, all rechargeable batteries seem to produce less voltage than their alkaline counterparts. Thy typically produce between 1.2-1.5V and generally need to be recharged when they drop below 1.3V.
I've been using rechargeable batteries since the early 90s and have found the most success with Duracell, Eneloop, and Sony batteries. I buy them when the are on sale through Amazon, Newegg, etc and haven't had any issues. I still use alkaline batteries in my hard to access electronics, but things like remote controls, wireless keyboards/mice, weather stations, scales, holiday decor, etc, I insist on using rechargeables.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flamingo13
I have Duracell and Eneloop (like the Eneloop a lot and got a good deal on Amazon as I recall, I first had a set from Ritz Camera). Probably buying some no-name cheapo ones is an issue as well.
I think you guys might be right. I’m going to buy two Duracell StayCharged Batteries, and see how they work.
I use rechargeable batteries in my remote controls. Your right, they don't last very long and they are not recommended for any of my LED flashlights. The voltage is 1.2 instead of a normal battery being at 1.5. You can't really use them for high drain devices without recharging frequently. I'm already invested in a lot of rechargeable batteries but if I was starting again, I probably wouldn't do it. Too many limitations. The one nice thing, is that i never had a rechargeable battery leak and damage any devices. I've had a number of alkaline batteries leak.
You have to be careful and not leave alkaline batteries sit for too long. I have had some alkaline batteries leak. But that was when I left them sit in unused remote controls for several years. I don’t do that any more. If I’m not using something I always take the batteries out. Otherwise I have never had a problem with alkaline batteries.
I use "Eneloop" AA rechargeable batteries in my camera and in my mouse - I love them! I had to get an all surface mouse because I have a glass top desk and the mouse eats regular batteries in about 2 weeks, my rechargeable's last longer than the regular alkaline batteries did.
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