Topic: AA Batteries? What's the best rechargeables?

[justink]

these look like they might be eneloop cells like the ikea batts too.

https://www.amazon.com/Tattu-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Alarm-Clocks-Toothbrushes/dp/B01N1ZX5MT/ref=sr_1_20_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1510805921&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=powerex+charger&psc=1

[dactylus]

^
Did you notice this HUGE gaffe in the packaging of those TATTU batteries?  Somebody in their marketing department should have been canned. 

"NOTICE: "+" "-" on the TATTU Logo do not represent the polar ends"

[fanofjam]

^
Did you notice this HUGE gaffe in the packaging of those TATTU batteries?  Somebody in their marketing department should have been canned. 

"NOTICE: "+" "-" on TATTU Logo not represent the polar ends"

Good eye.  That's certainly an interesting mistake for a battery manufacturer to make.  I hope there aren't people considering using TATTU rechargeables to power their heart pacemaker.  LOL.

[BlindGuyEars]

I don't know how typical this is, but I just left my Sony M10 running, recording 24-bit 48kHz to internal memory then a 16 GB card, with fully charged Maha/Powerex AA's, and it captured an amazing 19 hours one minute of audio. I'm impressed. (about to put my M10 and CA-9100 pre in the for sale section here. Going D:vice to iPhone)

[ts]

these look like they might be eneloop cells like the ikea batts too.

https://www.amazon.com/Tattu-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Alarm-Clocks-Toothbrushes/dp/B01N1ZX5MT/ref=sr_1_20_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1510805921&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=powerex+charger&psc=1

Would be awesome if these are the same. IKEA is 2 hours away from me and these are about the same price.

[Gutbucket]

Powerex low-self-discharge and Eneloop batteries seem pretty much equivalent based on my own use, and also from the research I've done each time I've replaced them (about 3 times in 10 years).  So I'm still using the Powerex  AAs, AAAs, and 9.6Vs with the Powerex chargers (the 9.6V charger is specific to that battery,  the four-bay  AA/AAA charger is their top multi-function model others here are using).  I have Eneloops at work for our digital cameras. 

Independent circuits for each battery, and "smart-charging" routine instead of a dumb timer-based routine are the most important features to have in a charger.

The more advanced features are nice for determining the actual battery capacity (useful for matching cells in pairs, and in determining end of life), "forming" new cells for maximum performance, and, "restoring" older cells for a second life in other non-critical applications.

 

I got the Powerex charger and it works great, once I figured out the programming sequence. The trouble with our hobby is that if you run one show the batteries are far from discharged so it is hard to get them fully charged again. The Powerex will discharge then recharge to capacity. It also analyzes to tell you your batteries are shot, which a lot of them were. I use the shot ones for remotes which don't need a lot of juice and not such a critical function. You can set the charge/discharge rate low or high, depending on how urgent your need is. If you have plenty of time, you can do a nice slow charge which for me is every time pretty much. I don't know how accurate it is, but it also estimates how many mAh each battery has when you are done charging. Definitely a huge improvement on the cheapo hardware store models which operate on a timer and wear out your batteries prematurely, overheating them. Worth the investment.

^
Although this is/was important with old NiCad rechargeables, you don't really need to do this with NiMH batteries in a quality "smart" charger.   NiMH + "smart charging" doesn't have "memory effect" in the same way when only partially drained and recharged.  Using a "smart charger" you can safely fully recharge from an only somewhat discharged state without damage or ill effect.  This is my standard procedure and I get full capacity from the NiMH batteries.  Run the "re-fresh routine" on the Maha charger every 6-months to year or so which does a full automated charge-discharge-recharge cycle and reports true-remaining-capacity.  That provides good lifetime monitoring and reassurance.   The "initial forming routine" does the same but via multiple charge/discharge cycles.  That can take a few days to complete depending on how you set it, and thus is best reserved for brand-new or revival and assessment of end-of life batteries for use in lesser roles.

[justink]

Amazon has a deal on eneloops today. I picked up one of these.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MIJU7AE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522317833&sr=1-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=514JOGA-FUL&ref=plSrch

[TheMetalist]

Amazon has a deal on eneloops today. I picked up one of these.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MIJU7AE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522317833&sr=1-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=514JOGA-FUL&ref=plSrch

Thanks for the heads up! Great deal. Too bad I'm in Sweden. The shipping cost is more than the deal itself. Not to forget the import charges that will be added as well.

[seethreepo]

Amazon has a deal on eneloops today. I picked up one of these.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MIJU7AE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522317833&sr=1-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=514JOGA-FUL&ref=plSrch

Thanks for the heads up! Great deal. Too bad I'm in Sweden. The shipping cost is more than the deal itself. Not to forget the import charges that will be added as well.

https://wavreport.com/2017/05/21/review-ikea-rechargeable-batteries/   <--- IKEA & Sweden for the win

[justink]

Amazon has a deal on eneloops today. I picked up one of these.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MIJU7AE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522317833&sr=1-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=514JOGA-FUL&ref=plSrch

Thanks for the heads up! Great deal. Too bad I'm in Sweden. The shipping cost is more than the deal itself. Not to forget the import charges that will be added as well.

https://wavreport.com/2017/05/21/review-ikea-rechargeable-batteries/   <--- IKEA & Sweden for the win

yeah, if i ever get to ikea again, i'm going to pick up a bunch of these.  problem is that they only offer them instore/not online.  and Ikea is a pain in the ass to get to in Houston.  not worth the special trip just to pick up batteries.    this deal on amazon on the eneloops is pretty good though.

[johnmuge]

Looks like Ikea is shipping these now for $9 for as many packs as you want.

[ycoop]

Looks like Ikea is shipping these now for $9 for as many packs as you want.

Tried to order 2 4 packs and it tells me shipping will be $99. Other option is to order and pick in store.

[johnmuge]

That's strange, I checked shipping them to Florida or Connecticut and it came up $9 no matter what the quantity was. 

[EmRR]

I'm seeing $9 for NC.

[dactylus]

$9 for MN.