[Rodney]

Several years ago I bought some AA sized rechargeable batteries. I wasn't impressed at the time. They seemed weaker than disposable batteries and didn't hold a charge long.

I'm wondering if anyone here uses them and if they're better than they used to be. I hate waste and would like to try again if they're worth the effort.

Thanks,

Rodney

 

[gdenby]

I used rechargeable NiCad batteries for several years at least 10 years ago. I do recall the charge did not last as long as standard batteries, but the power output seemed OK. They also seemed to age more quickly than promised, and a few became unusable after a year or 2. Overall, the batteries and charger did save some money.

Currently, I'm looking at rechargeable Li-ion batteries, which used to be very expensive. I've read the charge will last up to 2X of the NiCad, and the reason they are often used in cell phones, digital cameras, etc is that they provide a steadier current. Because both my wired mouse and keyboard became unusable, I'm going thru AA batteries for my newer wireless accessories at an irksome pace. Hate to be in the middle of some stupid game that I happen to be winning when the mouse fails, and there's not a replacement in the house.

On the other hand, I have a number of LED flashlights, lanterns, night lites. Ordinary alkaline batteries last a long time in those.

 

[MJC4]

I think it depends on the application. I use a small battery dremel that uses 4 AA's. I use rechargeables in the tool. They don't last as long as a set of new alkaline batteries but I was killing a set of bats evertime I used the tool, the rechargeables have paid for themselves 10 X over. I keep 2 sets of rechargeables, one in the tool and one on charge and I never (knock wood) have run out of juice. I also use a set in our camera. The battery pack for the camera is nothing more than a set of 2 AA's sandwiched into a pckg. One camera battery is more than the cost of a set of 4 rechargeables.

I use the rechargeable batteries in the dremel heavily, I have been getting about a year out of set of 4. With the heavy use I give um I think that is fair service.

 

[Gloops]

Lithium are the way to go, I use them in a LED torch and my Bosch battery drill also uses them.

The main advantage is that you can "Top em up"the old NiCads have to be fully discharged before charging as they are memory retentive in that topping up causes them to assume that that is a full charge cycle and will only accept part charge, a few full discharges and charges to bring them back.

 

[Rodney]

Thanks guys. The lithium sounds like the way to go with them. Our camera uses 4 AA batteries and they don't last long. I prefer rechargeable batteries for applications like that. Other than the power source it's a good camera.

Rodney