thefed
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2005
- Messages
- 2,203
Justy wondering...not seeing much other than 12 at a time for $120
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]Charge Times:
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- AAA 800 - 1200mAh -> 4 to 6 hours
- AA 1500 - 2900mAh -> 4 to 7 hours
+1. And, to make the batteries last a long time, you want each battery to be monitored separately (by the circuit in the charger), not just a constant application of current to all the slots as long as the power is on.I also wonder why you would need one charger that does 20... heck, 5 chargers that does 4 batts each is the same in the end... and probably better on the batts...
Since a year ago, I've pretty much switched over to the low discharge type and just charge a bunch up at the start of the year. Then have a containers labeled "Fresh" and "Weak".
I'd like a few of these:
Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger: Home & Garden
Check your local "Dollar Store", I often find them there in a pack of 3 for $1. I don't know how fresh they are, but they seem to last awhile. Harbor Freight also sells them: 4 cells for $2.Anyone know a reliable & reasonably cheap source? I find CR2032 are about $3.75 retail which seems very high to me.
-ERD50
I assume you're talking about the Eneloop types, right?
How many do you charge up at the start of the year? I find that I need to recharge my eneloops much more frequently.
I assume you're talking about the Eneloop types, right?
How many do you charge up at the start of the year? I find that I need to recharge my eneloops much more frequently.
Sorry, I wasn't clear. It's not that they don't hold a charge when not being used, it's that they are used so much, that I could never go a whole year without recharging some unless I had a stash of about 100.Are you sure you got a genuine Eneloop and not a fake?
My 1st gen Eneloops are true to the claim, having about 75%-80% charge at the end of the year (just tested few last week).
I'm not finding many uses for rechargeables, but maybe I'm behind in the technology. The things I use batteries in today are the low-discharge devices, including many that are a PITA when they fail (smoke detectors, remote controls for the garage door opener and the external keypad for the same, the flashlight in the glovebox of the car, etc.) If I buy AA alkaline batteries on sale they are $6 for 24. I'll use maybe 36 batteries a year=$9. That will fill my requirements for a year. I know they are going to work. If I use rechargeables, some will be have reduced capacities after a time (mix them with others and the whole set has a reduced life--now which one is the bad one?). For me, the hassle factor doesn't make it worthwhile.The real convenience I find is using the low discharge batteries in remotes, clocks etc. that normally require alkalines in the old days. Now when I need to change, I just grab one from my fresh stash.
I'm not finding many uses for rechargeables, but maybe I'm behind in the technology. The things I use batteries in today are the low-discharge devices, including many that are a PITA when they fail (smoke detectors, remote controls for the garage door opener and the external keypad for the same, the flashlight in the glovebox of the car, etc.) If I buy AA alkaline batteries on sale they are $6 for 24. I'll use maybe 36 batteries a year=$9. That will fill my requirements for a year. I know they are going to work. If I use rechargeables, some will be have reduced capacities after a time (mix them with others and the whole set has a reduced life--now which one is the bad one?). For me, the hassle factor doesn't make it worthwhile.
Before the low-discharge rechargeables, it only made sense to use alkalines unless you loved constantly charging and changing batteries. Now, the newer batteries, IMO are like the best of both worlds...keeps a charge like alkalines, can be recharged like a rechargeable.
...
As for the cost...it's the upfront in rechargeables vs yearly for alkalines.
However, because I've been using rechargeables for years, I've prevented hundreds of depleted alkalines from going to the landfill. Yes, they are small, but for me, that factor tips the balance towards recharging.