Rchargeable Batteries - Any good?

squiffy · 17 May 2006 at 11:35

AJUK said:
I have a Uniross charger and batteries and, quite frankly, they are ******* useless. I can charge them fully yet only give my camera 50% power. I always carry about some normal Duracell batteries whenever I use my camera as I can guarantee they will run out.

Try Sanyo batteries, probably best quality cells out there. Use a proper Delta Peak charger and not a timed £15 charger.

Buttons · 1 Jun 2006 at 10:14

Sorry to resurrect the thread but wondered if you could all recommend me some batteries and a charger.

2 electric toothbrushes that eat through 4 duracells every 2 weeks or so.

4 or 5 (and growing) baby toys that play music and flash lights that seem to go through alkaline batteries (albeit cheaper ones) every month.

4 remote controls that need batteries changing every 6 months.

All use AA although I think we use some AAA as well.

Most important is the charger should be fool proof and not allow over charging/heating.

Am I asking too much? I realise I probably need a few different types of batteries. It's more the charger I'm concerned about. Also, if it's available from the big river online book store and will help me bump up to free delivery that'd be smashing, ta.

squiffy · 1 Jun 2006 at 10:32

Sanyo cells are good. If the device is a low drain, long lasting type use NICD. If the cells don't last very long on a charge - high drain (say digitial camera) go for NIMH.

To prevent over charging, you need a Delta Peak charger. RC modellers chargers offer far more charging options than ones available in the high street, can charge from 1 cell to 12, 24 cells (or even more) and allow custom charge rates, delta cut off etc. You can also charge your other battery packs up, ie mobile phone, power tools etc.

Checkout Als hobbies. You'll need to use battery cages, and wire up those with banana leads. I use a modellers charger for all my batteries...works fine.

woodsy2k · 1 Jun 2006 at 10:34

Kaiowas said:
From my days of RC racing I came to learn a fair bit about the care and use of rechargable batteries. Most people will recommend you get NiMHs due to them being a more modern battery than NiCads but NiCads still have uses and which to get depends on what you want to use them for.

The first thing that needs mentioning is 'memory effect'. It's rubbish. It doesn't exist (or more correctly it's not the effect that most people associate the term with and is not relevant to domestic battery use.)

The reason that nicads suffer reduced capacity over time is due to their finite lifespan combined with overcharging. Overcharging is the killer of rechargable batteries and great care should be taken to avoid it. (Using a peak charger of some kind will give your batteries a much longer lifespan than a timed one will)

The main advantage that Nicads have over NiMH is with low drain applications. NiMHs are not very good at retaining charge for long periods of time so for things like clocks and to a certain extent wireless mice & keyboards where batteries do not need changing often then either NiCads or conventional alkaline batteries may be more suitable.

For high drain applications such as cameras where batteries are frequently replaced then High capacity NiMHs are where it's at.

This man speaks the truth. Nuff said really.

Just out of interest, Have Li-Ion AA batteries come out yet? If so are they rechargable..... Im a bit out of touch in new battery technology... I dont have much in the way of gadgets etc hat use AAs now.

Buttons · 1 Jun 2006 at 10:37

Thanks for the RC tips but looking for something my wife can use in the day so preferably plug in charger with 4 slots for AA and no way of inserting the wrong way or overcharging etc.

I looked at one review someone posted and it seems Fameart batteries have a decent life but the fast charger was a bit pricey at £20.

saitrix · 1 Jun 2006 at 10:59

woodsy2k said:
This man speaks the truth. Nuff said really.

Just out of interest, Have Li-Ion AA batteries come out yet? If so are they rechargable..... Im a bit out of touch in new battery technology... I dont have much in the way of gadgets etc hat use AAs now.

Yeah Li-Ion's are out but i dont think they are rechargable, though i havent bothered keeping up with it at all.