Rechargeable batteries

warwicktiger

I love my digital radio, I have one for the bathroom and one for the garage and use rechargeable size AA batteries for them, and a few other items in the house. I replaced them all about 3 years ago, but over recent months they will not hold a charge well and run down in a few days. I have bought some replacements but have been disappointed in them.

Can anyone suggest a very good make and or specification?

Oblivion

I've not used these but if I had to buy some more rechargeables tomorrow I'd stick with a name I trust, Duracell.


These look good ... big 2400mAh capacity and although it doesn't say so, I presume they are Lithium technology due to their claimed ability to retain charge for long periods.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Duracell-Charged-Rechargeable-2400mAh-Batteries--Pack/dp/B00E3DVQBW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388312479&sr=8-3&keywords=rechargeable+batteries+aa

Norman_Castle

Check you are charging your new batteries fully http://convert-to.com/491/recharging-rechargeable-nimh-nicd-batteries.html . Don't rely on timed chargers.

With you older batteries, if you use them in sets, they normally fail at different times. One set of four may have one failed battery and three that are still useable.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-UNIVERSAL-BATTERY-TESTER-AA-AAA-C-D-TYPES-/360570212709?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item53f3a8d1

I use Uniross, Hybrio and non Hybrio, including some Ni cads which are possibly 12+ years old and still working and some Sonys which are also good.

Mr_Toad

Not a simple question to answer. It all depends on what you bought and what rating they have.

Did you buy the cheapest you could or were they supposed to be good quality?

I've got loads of rechargeable AA batteries and don't have any problems.

However, a 1500mAh isn't going last anywhere near as long as a 2700mAh one.

I use the cheaper 1500s in my wireless mouse and keyboard amd because these draw little power they last for weeks or even months.

In my DAB radio I use 4 x 2700mAh rechargeables and they last well.

I have a mix of brands, Duracell, Panasonic, Fuji and some Vapex. I buy them on-line when they are on offer or get them off eBay.

I've had some of them for years and they still hold a charge and perform well. As soon as they deteriorate I chuck them and buy some more.

Having got that out of the way we'll move on to the charger.

A cheap and nasty charger is worse than useless. I have a very good charger and it is the charger that keeps my batteries in excellent condition.

It's more than possible that the fault is with you charger. Is it the right one for the type of batteries you have. A charger designed for the older NiCad batteries isn't any good for NiMh or Li-Ion.

Mr_Toad

This is the Vapex site.

http://www.vapextech.co.uk/index.html

I've got several of their 2700mAh AA batteries, they are several years old and are still excellent. They are every bit as good as the Duracell ones I have at a fraction of the cost.

I only bought the Duracell when they were on offer, they are good but they are expensive.

warwicktiger

I bought 2500mah ones, not cheapos.

Mr_Toad

warwicktiger wrote: »

I bought 2500mah ones, not cheapos.

What about your charger?

JJ_Egan

Duracell again came out well on a recent PC mag test .

warwicktiger

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Check you are charging your new batteries fully http://convert-to.com/491/recharging-rechargeable-nimh-nicd-batteries.html . Don't rely on timed chargers.

Both my chargers have separate indicators on showing which batteries are now fully charged

With you older batteries, if you use them in sets, they normally fail at different times. One set of four may have one failed battery and three that are still useable.

How do you tell which one battery has failed? I use then in 4's and 2's

dhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-UNIVERSAL-BATTERY-TESTER-AA-AAA-C-D-TYPES-/360570212709?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item53f3a8d1

I use Uniross, Hybrio and non Hybrio, including some Ni cads which are possibly 12+ years old and still working and some Sonys which are also good.

Thanks, will check out the links later, but have bought the battery checker on ebay.