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Author Topic: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?  (Read 12788 times)

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Offline noahbickart

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Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« on: December 01, 2011, 01:59:25 PM »
Hi good folks:

I need 6 AAs for my rig (Naiant littlebox [4] & Sony m10 [2]).

can someone recommend a good set of high capacity batteries and smart charger?
Recording:
Capsules: Schoeps mk41v (x2), mk22 (x2), mk3 (x2), mk21 & mk8
Cables: 2x nbob KCY, 1 pair nbob actives, GAKables 10' & 20' 6-channel snakes, Darktrain 2 & 4 channel KCY and mini xlr extensions:
Preamps:    Schoeps VMS 02iub, Naiant IPA, Sound Devices Mixpre6 I
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre6 I, Sony PCM m10

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cashandkerouac

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2011, 02:29:02 PM »
i've been quite happy with my eneloop rechargables for my M10.  i get about 5 hours with the batteries fully charged.  there are higher capacity options out there, but i have the most experience with the sanyo eneloop AA.  also, this is the charger that i use (LaCrosse BC-700) and it has been very reliable - http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322767663&sr=1-16

Offline hoppedup

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2011, 02:57:49 PM »
I've been using Maha Imedion AAs for almost a year and have been really happy with them. I'm getting 16 more as my only christmas present.

I use this charger but  I think I bought a bundle with 8 batteries for around $55-60:

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/-MAHA-MH-C800S-AA--AAA-8-CELL-BATTERY-CHARGER_p_153.html



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Offline F.O.Bean

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Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2011, 04:07:33 PM »
Another vote for eneloops, they're particularly good at holding a charge so you don't have to use them immediately.
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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2011, 04:42:58 PM »
Eneloops and Imedions are about the same, both are low self discharge and work well.   I use Imedions, and they also offer a 9.6V battery.

Heres what I use and LOVE IT :)
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-AA--AAA-Battery-Chargerbr_p_134.html

Good charger but somewhat confusing and over complicated in it's options.  I use that for inital break-in and pair-matching, and to revive old batteries for less critical non recording uses.

I mainly use another Powerex charger, which is as good for regular charging but super simple (only option is fast vs. slow charging) and runs off 12VDC so it works both at home and on the road in the car or from a 12V battery at festivals.  Here's a package deal for it with AC x-former supply, DC cigarette lighter cable, and 4 AA Imedions- http://www.thomasdistributing.com/MAHA-MH-C204GT-with-4-Maha-Imedion-AA-Batteries-and-Deluxe-Case_p_2570.html
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
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Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2011, 05:09:13 PM »
Eneloops and Imedions are about the same, both are low self discharge and work well.   I use Imedions, and they also offer a 9.6V battery.

Heres what I use and LOVE IT :)
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-AA--AAA-Battery-Chargerbr_p_134.html

Good charger but somewhat confusing and over complicated in it's options.  I use that for inital break-in and pair-matching, and to revive old batteries for less critical non recording uses.

I mainly use another Powerex charger, which is as good for regular charging but super simple (only option is fast vs. slow charging) and runs off 12VDC so it works both at home and on the road in the car or from a 12V battery at festivals.  Here's a package deal for it with AC x-former supply, DC cigarette lighter cable, and 4 AA Imedions- http://www.thomasdistributing.com/MAHA-MH-C204GT-with-4-Maha-Imedion-AA-Batteries-and-Deluxe-Case_p_2570.html

Its not THAT complicated :P
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
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http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

Offline jbell

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2011, 05:23:02 PM »
5 hours doesn't seem like good run times for eneloop batteries in an M10!!  I usually get much longer runtimes using 2000mah and even longer with my 2700mah. 

i've been quite happy with my eneloop rechargables for my M10.  i get about 5 hours with the batteries fully charged.  there are higher capacity options out there, but i have the most experience with the sanyo eneloop AA.  also, this is the charger that i use (LaCrosse BC-700) and it has been very reliable - http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322767663&sr=1-16
Mics: DPA ST4011ER & 4018ER
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Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre-10 II | Sony PCM A10

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Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2011, 05:46:17 PM »
5 hours doesn't seem like good run times for eneloop batteries in an M10!!  I usually get much longer runtimes using 2000mah and even longer with my 2700mah. 

i've been quite happy with my eneloop rechargables for my M10.  i get about 5 hours with the batteries fully charged.  there are higher capacity options out there, but i have the most experience with the sanyo eneloop AA.  also, this is the charger that i use (LaCrosse BC-700) and it has been very reliable - http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322767663&sr=1-16

I exclusively use Energizer 2300mah AA's. They served me well over the year that I have had them, and once "Broken-In" on my Lacrosse charger, they last about 30hrs in my M10's :)
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

Offline rastasean

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #9 on: December 02, 2011, 11:52:11 AM »
I use the charger cashandkerouac linked to at amazon although unfortunately it looks to be more expensive than what I paid. A taper named Frank (forget his alias here) recommended it over the $10 one I was using and I have no regrets of it.

I use Imedions batteries and got an 8 pack from newegg awhile ago for a pretty good price.
When I originally bought the sony m10 it came with non-rechargable batteries and that pair lasted MONTHS. To be fair, I don't think it was recording 2 hours at a time but it lasted awhile. However, using rechargeables in the m10 don't seem to last as long (even with correct settings) so I may try out a pair of one time use batteries to see if it lasts longer.
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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #10 on: December 02, 2011, 12:00:48 PM »
The two most important things to look for in any charger are independant charging circuits for each battery, and an internal charge control scheme that is more complex than just a simple timer.  Some cheap chargers have only one circuit and/or simply charge for a predetermined set time, regarless of the state of charge of the battery.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2011, 01:49:23 PM »
The two most important things to look for in any charger are independant charging circuits for each battery, and an internal charge control scheme that is more complex than just a simple timer.  Some cheap chargers have only one circuit and/or simply charge for a predetermined set time, regarless of the state of charge of the battery.

All chargers don't work for all battery types, so make sure that the charger is right for the type of batteries you are using (which means it charges at the correct voltage).

BTW, if you want a charger that works for almost every battery type that you'll ever use, get one of those Imax B6 programmable chargers on ebay for about $30.  It takes a little bit of knowledge on battery operation before you can use it confidently, but once you know how rechargeables work and how this charger works, you'll probably never need another charger.  I love mine...now that I know how to use it, I can fast or slow charge any battery at any rate that I want, although some batts (like SLAs) don't take a fast charge very well and you can go too fast and overheat any battery on fast charge...you just need to use some simple math skills and common sense though to use this thing properly.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2011, 01:57:46 PM by tonedeaf »

Offline Gutbucket

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2011, 02:37:46 PM »
Right.  The simplified points I make above about chargers assume use for typical NiMH batteries (namely AAA'a & AA'a) which the OP was specifically asking about.  AA & AAAs of both normal NiMH and Low Self Discharge NiMH type will be fine in any such charger.  The one NiMH exception I can think of that is tangentially relevant around here is a special charger is required to properly charge higher voltage 9.6V NiMH rechargables (either normal or LSD) that some of us use in Nboxes and Church preamps instead of disposable alkaline 9V batts.  But most users have seperate chargers for 9Vs verses AAs and AAAs anyway, and most manufacturers make seperate chargers for 9vs.

[edit- the complexity of using an advanced charger such as the Maha one Bean mentioned or the LaCrosse is mostly choosing between what mode you want (charge, dischage, cycle, break-in, and a few others that are combinations that I can never remember and have to get the manual out to remember what they do and what to use them for) and having to specify the charging rate you want based on the battery's capacity.  Those options make the charger more universal and applicable to older NiCads and other things beside NiMH AAs, but a simple good-quality charger that you simply stick the AA's into and a LED for each battery turns green when each is charged is the best and most economical answer to Noah's needs IMO.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2011, 02:57:15 PM by Gutbucket »
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

stevetoney

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #13 on: December 02, 2011, 03:27:09 PM »
but a simple good-quality charger that you simply stick the AA's into and a LED for each battery turns green when each is charged is the best and most economical answer to Noah's needs IMO.

In spite of my earlier message which may have implied differently, for the sake of the OP I second this statement.

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Rechargeable AAs & Charger recommendation?
« Reply #14 on: December 02, 2011, 03:50:16 PM »
but a simple good-quality charger that you simply stick the AA's into and a LED for each battery turns green when each is charged is the best and most economical answer to Noah's needs IMO.

In spite of my earlier message which may have implied differently, for the sake of the OP I second this statement.

You just need 2 or 3 of them so you can recharge quicker ;)
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

 

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