Info on Rechargable batteries

PinkLady

Hi
It is costing me a fortune replacing the batteries in the kids toys.

I was thinking about getting rechargable batteries, but I don't know anything about them.

I would be grateful for any info
- on what sort to buy
- are there any items that I can't use rechargable batteries in?
- do the chargers charge different size batteries?

Hope that all makes sense - thanks :money:

Lorian

Try looking in Aldi or Lidl they often have good value recharegables

You will find they should work in most toys etc

most charges do AA, AAA and PP3 (9V) some bigger ones do C and maybe even D sized cells too. Check the specs. You are going to want AA and AAA for sure.

PinkLady

Hi, thanks for the info - will check them out. I think I will need C batteries as well. Checked out the cost of putting batteries in a new toy the other day and it was £5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The toy only cost £9.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

smevs

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeables are better than Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) as they hold their charge for much longer and can be recharged more times. They also don't suffer from the 'memory effect' that some rechargeables have problems with which can significantly reduce their usage times.

NiMH batteries will cost a bit more but I think they're worth it !

Also look for the 'mAh' (milliamp hour) rating of the battery -will probably be 2000 +. The bigger the number, the longer the battery should last on a full charge.

Worth getting a spare set too if you can afford it. I always try to have 1 set in the equipment and another on charge ready - then you don't have to wait for the batteries o recharge when they run out !!

Hope this helps a bit.

PinkLady

Thanks for this info. Does anyone have any idea as to what sort of price they are?
Thanks

unrich

Information on batteries HERE and chargers HERE. It is US based but some of the mainstream batteries are the same. Vapex/Vapextec come out quite well and you can get these on ebay.

[Deleted User]

I just bought this charger from Argos: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9804252/Trail/searchtext%3ECHARGER.htm
Seems pretty good, came with reasonable batteries... .you'll easily save money within a few re-uses so don't worry too much about getting the right one

lynn44

If you have pound saver or pound shop near you they had them in there for £1 for 4 AA and AAA , C you get 2 I have purchased them and found them ok

Sooler

Don't put rechargables in smoke alarms.

Rechargables tend to just cut out suddenly when their charge is used up, ordinary batteries sort of die and wither gradually.

Sooler

smevs wrote: »

Also look for the 'mAh' (milliamp hour) rating of the battery -will probably be 2000 +. The bigger the number, the longer the battery should last on a full charge.

Yes, always check this as some shops will sell lower capacity batteries for the same, or nearly the same, price as higher capacity ones in other shops.

I'd buy the highest capacity ones you can as this will mean less frequent recharging.

stpandp

PinkLady wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the info - will check them out. I think I will need C batteries as well. Checked out the cost of putting batteries in a new toy the other day and it was £5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The toy only cost £9.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you are using "c" batteries also check out the AA to C convertors available. i use them all the time in a pure digital radio; they are a tube that envelop the AA battery - so you buy AA ones, and use them as C