Poll: Time to ban alkaline batteries?

[D.P.]

The Problem is NiMH and most recharges like LiPo have poor performance in cold conditions and is the reason I never touch the things for most of my needs such as head torches and avalanche beacons.

Try using rechargeable at -20*C and things can get very dangerous, even life threatening. Alkali batteries are relatively good with cold temperatures.


The other problem with most rechargables is they have less predictive power curves and power output tends to suddenly plummet, Alkaline batteries are much more linear and predictable, so when say a head lamp starts t fade slightly you know you are OK with a regular battery but with a rechargeable it is hard to predict how much longer you wil have usable light but it certainly wont be nearly as long as with an alkaline.

 

[Vonhelmet]

The Problem is NiMH and most recharges like LiPo have poor performance in cold conditions and is the reason I never touch the things for most of my needs such as head torches and avalanche beacons.

Try using rechargeable at -20*C and things can get very dangerous, even life threatening. Alkali batteries are relatively good with cold temperatures.

That's the sort of edge case I mentioned earlier. Utterly irrelevant to most people, but crucial to a select few.

The other problem with most rechargables is they have less predictive power curves and power output tends to suddenly plummet, Alkaline batteries are much more linear and predictable, so when say a head lamp starts t fade slightly you know you are OK with a regular battery but with a rechargeable it is hard to predict how much longer you wil have usable light but it certainly wont be nearly as long as with an alkaline.

Again, it sounds like we're in edge case territory, if you're talking about a head lamp.

I'm not saying your point isn't valid, just that for the majority of uses LSD NiMH is a better option.

 

[clv101]

The Problem is NiMH and most recharges like LiPo have poor performance in cold conditions and is the reason I never touch the things for most of my needs such as head torches and avalanche beacons.

Try using rechargeable at -20*C and things can get very dangerous, even life threatening. Alkali batteries are relatively good with cold temperatures.


The other problem with most rechargables is they have less predictive power curves and power output tends to suddenly plummet, Alkaline batteries are much more linear and predictable, so when say a head lamp starts t fade slightly you know you are OK with a regular battery but with a rechargeable it is hard to predict how much longer you wil have usable light but it certainly wont be nearly as long as with an alkaline.

I think both of these points are wrong. Firstly on low temperature performance, eneloops look better:
http://www.eneloop.info/home/performance-details/low-temperature.html

Secondly, on the predictive power curves, NiMH have a flatter response than alkalines, see here:
http://www.eneloop.info/home/performance-details/capacity.html

 

[londonbairn]

On this topic, what are better Eneloop or Energizer rechargeables? I use (a lot) of Energizer AAs which generally seem good, but not very good on bike lights (they drop off very quickly)

 

[Glaucus]

I can't remember the last time I used something that needed its batteries changed. I haven't bought batteries in years and can't imagine doing so in the near future.

Remote controls.
Wish they had a big rechargeable battery pack though.

Shouldn't be banned, just stick 1000% tax on them, what they should have done with lightbulbs.

We need to cut co2 massively so I expect far more lightbulb type laws coming in. However I doubt batteries will be one. As it doesn't really drop energy usage rates.

 

[clv101]

On this topic, what are better Eneloop or Energizer rechargeables? I use (a lot) of Energizer AAs which generally seem good, but not very good on bike lights (they drop off very quickly)

How long do you leave the Energizers on your bike between charges? Even without using them, they will be flat after a while (self discharge). I use eneloops on my bike and they last for several months (~20 min per day, flashing LED, 5 days a week).

 

[Ahleckz]

Remote controls.
Wish they had a big rechargeable battery pack though.

Shouldn't be banned, just stick 1000% tax on them, what they should have done with lightbulbs.

We need to cut co2 massively so I expect far more lightbulb type laws coming in. However I doubt batteries will be one. As it doesn't really drop energy usage rates.

I haven't changed batteries in a remote control for years. I either update the controller (with a new telly) or the remote breaks. They seem to last for ever in my experience.

 

[mrk]

Funnily enough I was reading an article this week about a research team who used Titanium anodes in normal Li-On batteries instead of conventional graphite tube allowed for the batteries to be charged to 50% in 30 seconds and they also reduced the risk of thermal runaway. This applied to lithium ion batteries of course but it's good news for small devices.

 

[minimadmotorman]

I do find that premium batteries last a lot longer in my camera than the rechargables I bought for it.

However I agree that we need use rechargeables more! If Alkaline's were gone then rechargeable tech would improve.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Voted "No - rechargeables are and will always be rubbish" however that is far from the truth although was the only one which suited my needs.

Using rechargeables for childrens toys etc I find just not to be practical and for some reason, also, when on holiday, I find alkalines more convenient for the camera.

There is just nothing at a similiar price point to Alkalines at the moment and untill then, the masses will not change although it is obviously a chicken/egg thing.

For the environment, I agree, get rid of Alkaline batteries.

 

[clv101]

There is just nothing at a similiar price point to Alkalines at the moment...

How do you mean when considering rechargeables can be reused many hundreds of times. Divide their cost by that and they are considerably cheaper than alkalines?

 

[aardvark]

voted no - i mainly use rechargables but leaving them in the cold seems to kill them quickly - now they don't last long at all on a full charge and i haven't had them long.

 

[Tom0]

I voted Yes, but purely on the merit that alkaline batteries are a dated technology and re-chargables are becoming more reliable and will eventually last longer as time is going on.

 

[grimm]

The poll doesn't have enoough options IMO. There are applications that favour the use of one or the other.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

voted no - i mainly use rechargables but leaving them in the cold seems to kill them quickly - now they don't last long at all on a full charge and i haven't had them long.

LSD NIMH's or standard NIMH's?

Non-LSD NIMH's are worth toffee imo.

How do you mean when considering rechargeables can be reused many hundreds of times. Divide their cost by that and they are considerably cheaper than alkalines?

But what if your camera dies, you're away from home and you don't have spare charged rechargeables on you?

Next time you're in a supermarket see how much they are selling LSD batteries for. Oh, and I doubt you'll even see them in a newsagents etc.

 

[Vonhelmet]

But what if your camera dies, you're away from home and you don't have spare charged rechargeables on you?

Next time you're in a supermarket see how much they are selling LSD batteries for. Oh, and I doubt you'll even see them in a newsagents etc.

So you make sure you have enough batteries with you to last you the day... And you take a charger with you...

 

[Jonny69]

Alkalines don't bother me so much, it's the bulk packs of el-cheapo AA batteries that last less than 5 minutes in most kit that I'd like to see banned. Mercury- and cadmium-free or not, they are just a complete utter waste of resources. I use rechargeables for almost everything now, but alkalines still have their place in the clocks, thermostat and smoke alarms. LSD rechargeables can't compete in those applications, when alkalines will sit there for several years without self discharging.

 

[clv101]

LSD rechargeables can't compete in those applications, when alkalines will sit there for several years without self discharging.

New eneloops claim to retain 70% charge after 5 years - surely that's competitive with alkaline?

 

[Devrij]

As a paintballer, alkaline, specifically Duracell procell, was the only choice. The difference between winning a tournament and losing due to kit failure often relies upon a battery having enough voltage to open a high pressure solenoid 15 times a second for a good 3-5 minutes. When its winter you need a battery that will provide the highest consistent voltage because anything less results in failure. Some people used rechargeables, but they weren't reliable enough to make a switch. I believe some newer markers have started using phone batteries with great success though. Off the shelf rechargeables are still hit and miss though.

 

[clv101]

When its winter you need a battery that will provide the highest consistent voltage because anything less results in failure.

Yeah, but alkalines don't provide that, their voltage falls off faster than good NiMH. Sounds like you'd be better off with a good NiMH.