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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: F.O.Bean on September 12, 2013, 03:08:50 AM
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Well, I'm going to retire my AA batteries this winter, and was wondering which one I should try? I like the Maha Imedion and they're only $32 but haven't heard anyone really using them. And the Sanyo Eneloops are just $8 more at $48 and I've heard good things about these!
Maha Imedion
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/AA-Low-Discharge-Batteries_c_677.html (http://www.thomasdistributing.com/AA-Low-Discharge-Batteries_c_677.html)
Sanyo Eneloops
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/16-Pack-New-Version-Sanyo-Eneloop-2000-mAh-Low-Discharge-AA-Batteries_p_2417.html (http://www.thomasdistributing.com/16-Pack-New-Version-Sanyo-Eneloop-2000-mAh-Low-Discharge-AA-Batteries_p_2417.html)
How many years have you guys been using the Eneloops ??? Are they reliable? Because I could just go to sams club and get the energizer 2300mah ones I have used the last three years, and save a nice chunk of money! So please give me your opinion!
Thanks,
Bean
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Doesn't seem that low self discharge nimh batteries would give you much/any real advantage for your intended use. I use enloops in a few remote controls that are relatively power-thirsty (they were burning through a set of alkalines every month) and for this application, low self discharge batteries have a clear advantage over traditional nimh batteries in this application (since traditional nimh batteries would gradually self-discharge over the course of a month).
Conversely, for your use, relatively high power requirements over a relatively short period of time, low self discharge batteries wouldn't seem to help you out much -- Regardless of their "shelf life," I'd be recharging my rechargables before a show, etc. -- and their lower capacity may well be a disadvantage . . . So, you may in fact find yourself heading to sam's after all . . . .
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I've been using the same Imedion AAs and Powerex 9.6V batteries for three years with no issues.
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Go low self-discharge. The capacity hit is minimal. The piece of mind AND longer life (IME) for recording use is worth it.
I use the Imedions (3-years this set, managed with the more advanced Maha charger you also have; 2-years last set with a less advanced charger combined with the lower mAhr rating on the older Imedions) but I think the Eneloops are comprable. Since you have the Maha charger anyway it may make sense to use their batteries as well as save a few bucks, not that it really matters.
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Thanks guys! Looks like I have a decision to make!
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I've been using the same Imedion AAs and Powerex 9.6V batteries for three years with no issues.
I replaced my 2000 mAh Eneloops with the Imedions (because of the increase to 2400 mAh) almost 3 years ago and they are still working great. I wouldn't use anything but low self discharge Nihms. Besides not having to charge them immediately before a show, they seem to last a lot longer before you have to replace them.
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i use the Imedion rechargables and they are serving me very well. Thomas currently has a deal for 16 Imedions with 4 plastic case holders... $41.97.
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/16-Pack-Maha-Imedion-2400-AA-Low-Discharge-Batteries_p_2449.html
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I recently bought 4 x Eneloops and have been very impressed with them. Just do some research and ensure you buy the correct variant as very often the description on the seller's website is vague.
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I've been using Imedion rechargeables for a year and a half and I'm very happy with them.
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Sanyo eneloops, I've had better luck than imedion, and I go through em.....
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I may have missed the boat on this thread, but here's my $0.02:
- Go with the LSD NiMH batteries for the reasons already stated here: peace of mind and more recharge cycles.
- I own and have used both eneloop and Imedion LSD batteries and I consider them equal in performance, and both excellent batteries. All the eneloop and Imedion LSD AAs I have bought met their capacity spec. I would choose between them based on price.
- Note that the Imedion AA has a slightly larger diameter than most alkaline or the eneloop AA. Alkaline (the several I measured) and eneloop have a diameter of 14.1 mm, and the Imedion is 14.5 mm in diameter, which is just at the upper limit of the IEC LR6 spec. So if your standard alkaline is a tight fit, the Imedion might get stuck.
- I have some Sony LSD NiMH which are not quite as good as the eneloop or Imedion, but they were less expensive so they were a good value. The Sonys are not clearly labeled as LSD, so it is difficult to know what type of Sony NiMH it is. Plus the LSD NiMH Sony batteries look a lot like the regular Sony NiMH batteries, so it's easy to grab the wrong battery and end up with one that has self discharged.
- Amazon sells some "Amazon Basic" LSD AAs that look interesting, but I have never used them. I think they would be worth a chance if they were a fair bit less expensive than the eneloop or Imedion AAs.
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I have some amazon basic batteries and they have performed well and met my expectations.
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I really like the Sanyo batteries as well - quite reliable, which is important to our hobby :)
A very important part, IMHO, is a QUALITY charger. I have the Maha CH-9000, which is great. People really seem to like the LaCrosse units as well.
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A more advanced charger becomes especially valuable for managing the cells near the end of their useful recording life. It can help to get the most out of them when new as well, but knowing when they need to be replaced before they die unexpectedly mid-set is invaluable.
I bought the Maha CH-9000 charger for that reason when I replaced my original set of Imedions which I was charging with an adequate but less advanced Maha charger with only a global fast/slow setting and an independant red/green LED indicator for each cell. Make sure whatever charger you are using at least has a seperate charging circuit for each cell, and uses some kind of sensing rather than just a timed charging routine. The CH-9000, allows you to test the true discharge capacity of the cells whenever you suspect they are not performing to specification, if that drops considerably you can run a refresh cycle that helps extend their usable life. It also lets you match the cells with the most similar capacity into pairs to maximise run-times out of the lot of batteries you have. The LaCrosse charger is probably similar.
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I have some amazon basic batteries and they have performed well and met my expectations.
I picked up 16 of these before going to the vibes. they all had a pretty good charge out of the box but I put them in the charger anyway (i had the time). So far for the price they have been great. it was $23 for 16 or something like that.
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I also use the Imedions 2400's with the Maha charger. I've run em for about a year now and couldn't be happier, especially when I think how much moola I've saved. I didn't know there was so much to a good recharging system. The Imedion and Maha IMO is a good way to go. I have an M10 and have no problems at all with the set-up. I'll be getting 4 more batteries to go with the 4 I have too.