I've got to say, these truly have changed the way I look at batteries

**SavantStrike** · 03-08-2009, 10:10 AM

Sometime around 6 months ago, I got a 6 AA and 2 AA Sanyo Eneloop batteries so I could finally stop having to charge my rechargeable batteries before using them again. These hybrid designs really do work. These babies seriously do hold their charge, and I think the alkaline battery is now a thing of the past. I just recently ordered 8 more of the AA's because I love these so much. I can use flashlights, radios, remotes, what have you all without feeling guilty for wasting batteries. I only wish more consumer devices still had AA/AAA power sources instead of the integrated Lithium Ion batteries that are popular. It would make replacing the batter in a portable media player so much easier now that the NiMH batteries finally rock.

**dpm802** · 03-08-2009, 10:24 AM

I haven't tried the Eneloop, but they did catch my eye about a year ago.

My resume will show far too many years spent in a dead-end job at RadioShack ... so I learned far too much about replacement batteries while I was there.

My current fave alkaline is Panasonic Digitals ... the Pan-Dig outlasts every other battery I've ever used, and when I can catch them on a BOGO sale at the supermarket, they are extremely cheap.

+1 that more devices should use standard sized batteries ... I recently had to replace a Li-Ion battery in a device. It was only $11 for the battery itself, but the surgery on the device to replace it was no fun.

Thank goodness, at least my camera takes standard sized AA Lithium batteries ... although expensive, it outlasts even the best alkalines by about 8 to 1.

Lithium AA are also a good choice for any device that is subject to temperature extremes ... like the flashlight you carry in your car, or the remote sensor(s) for a home weather-monitoring station.

**pablo_h** · 03-08-2009, 11:00 AM

eneloop are awesome, rechargeable batteries that will sit on the shelf and keep their charge.
I used my digital camera very occasionally, I bought eneloops for that. I was great to have a fully charged up camera, that could sit on the shelf for 6 months, but then be taken out and take 100 shots no problems.
Previous to that I bought NiMh, they would lose there charge entirely after 2 weeks on the shelf (they'e be useless after a week or the shelf for any demanding task anyway).

You just have to be careful when buying low self discharge batteries (eneloop are one brand, but there's a few other barnads including cheapies too), that you give them the royal treatment when it comes to chargers.
Throw out your fast chargers, or even basic chargers that measure battery heat, The eneloop charger you can buy in a kit is crap too.
These things hardly need charging, and when you do charge them, use a smart charger like a maha powerex that can maintain batteries, cycle them etc to keep them going.
I've only used enerloops or jaycar brand (local electronic shop brand which sell low self discharge batteries too).
But I use the Maha charger (the one that takes AAA to Ds as I have a few D cell torch batteries). Maha also sell their own version of eneloops called "imedion", I haven't tried them though.
But I recommend their chargers, and if they have any sort of a deal similar to enerloops price, I'd grab the imedion.
Life has a way of going full circle, so in salute to the new member from australia that joined last week due to a post in whirlpool, I link you guys to whirlpool http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...s.cfm?t=768662

**kongjie** · 03-08-2009, 11:48 AM

Eneloops are great. I recommend Thomas Distributing as a source that has been selling rechargeable batteries and chargers since before it was cool. My Maha charger is great.

**SavantStrike** · 03-08-2009, 02:15 PM

I liked the Maha's but didn't really want one of them unless it was the powerex that did C and D cells. I got a La Crosse BC 900 and love it. It will do 4 AA or AAA batteries, and each battery is on it's on charge circuit. Charging current for each of these circuits is individually selectable as well, and it will do conditioning and discharges (I often discharge my Eneloops before charging them). The only knock I have on it is that some people say it will melt when using the 2000 mA charge setting. I'm not really upset about that though as that's guaranteed to kill the batteries (no 500 or 1000 charge/discharge cycles there!). The BC-700 which since replaced the 900 is the same charger but the 2000 mA setting was removed so stupid people didn't try putting 2 cells on at that rate and adding another two...

**thunderball** · 03-08-2009, 03:10 PM

Yep, Eneloops are the best I've come across yet (and I've tried almost everything else!). I use them for photography and I've never had a set die on me yet. I used to wonder if something was wrong with my camera display after I shot about 500 pics and the batteries still read 'Full'.

**Pig Cat** · 03-08-2009, 03:33 PM

I just have a basic Energizer charger. The batteries never seem to hold their charge, and I've always thought the charger itself may be the cause of this. Could this be the case? Sounds likely that rechargeable batteries are generally pretty crap.

In light of this, if I bought some Eneloop batteries, would you recommend that I bought a new charger to go with them? One reason to use rechargeables is to save money, so I'd rather not have to fork out if not necessary. Also, bear in mind that I'm shopping in the UK. Please let me know what you think.

**SavantStrike** · 03-08-2009, 04:30 PM

You can use eneloops with a normal charger, but they won't last as long (number of complete charge and discharge cycles). A good charger will charge each battery individually rather than charging both as a set. Not only will this mean that both batteries will be charged to their individual full capacity, but when the batteries are used in whatever device they are in, they will tend to drain at an equal rate. This means that as the batteries are closer to dead they will both be at the same voltage. If they were at two different voltages and they are close enough to dead, one battery will actually start to "charge" the other, usually causing some damage to the battery. Even with an awesome sauce charger it's good not to run them completely dead for this reason. If you want to run them dead you need a charger that will do that for you safely.

Basically you'll just find that any rechargable battery you put in a good charger will last longer, and probably run better in whatever you use it in too eventually. Unless a new battery type comes out, it's a safe bet that any decent charger will last you for however many decades until the charger itself gives up the ghost. I'm not sure about in the UK, but here in the US, Lithium Ion batteries will never be offered in AAA, AA, etc sizes because of disposal reasons, so for the time being I think NiMH is a safe bet. Whether you want to fork out the cash is up to you.

This is a nice charger at 25 USD, but amazon.co.uk doesn't seem to have it

http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technol...6555020&sr=8-1

**rabidpotatochip** · 03-08-2009, 05:29 PM

Glad to hear about those eneloops. I recently had to deal with dead rechargables and it left me extremely dissatisfied. I also have a La Crosse charger and have to say it's possibly the most fun random gadget I have.

**arghblech** · 03-08-2009, 08:24 PM

Here's another vote for Maha chargers. I also swear by their Powerex batteries. I have a bunch in different sizes and they've lasted longer than any other rechargables I've ever had.

**Chuckaluck** · 03-08-2009, 09:32 PM

I mostly need D cell batteries for my radio. How does the eneloop AA/D adapter work?

Is the charge as strong as regular eneloop AA batteries?

**Hawkeye5** · 03-09-2009, 06:38 AM

I currently have 36 Eneloops LSD (Low Self Discharge) in my lights, one 3AA > 1D, one 4AA > 1D and one 9AA > 3D adapters, 2 mini-mag LED conversions, plus my three trail cams. I'm a beliver, and this from someone that was not at all impressed with rechargeable batteries from previous experience. Also the Maha 9000 smart charger is one of the best on the market for AA and AAA rechargeables.

AA to D cell adapters are available in 3AA to 1D and 4AA to 1D (and many other configurations). New 3AA to 1D adapters are sold on candlepowerforums. One of the members (user name slips my mind) makes them, he might make a 4AA to 1D if requested. The 4AA to 1D adapter is also made by a member, handle of Fivemega. Very high quality, but currently sold out with no date for the next run.

How does it work? You just put the AA batteries into the adapter using the correct poliarity (marked on the adapter) and put the adapter in the battery case as you would with a single D cell. BUT, you need to check your radio to see if it can survive 3or four AA batteries. Might be too much juice. Hate for you to fry your radio.

**adamant** · 03-09-2009, 06:52 AM

I got one of the starter enloop sets, but I realized shortly after that I don't really use AA or AAA batteries much any more. I have some in the controler of my wii, and I guess I could stick them in a remote for the TV, but those last so long anyway. My digital camera has a proprietary design, which I tend to prefer since they usually last significantly longer.

**SavantStrike** · 03-09-2009, 07:56 AM

Yes, it will have a Lithim Ion cell in it. In a year or two, your camera will charge less effectively, and it will cost significantly more to get a new battery for it than it would to get eneloops. I think manufacturers should start using AA's again.