Lately, I've been window-shopping at Thomas Distributing and Amazon for rechargeable batteries.
I use AAs and AAA-sized batteries for a wide variety of applications, from cameras and voice recorders to flashlights, microphones, GPS units and even a standalone caller-ID unit.
I'd like to get the newer-generation Low Self-Discharge, Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries. The brand spearheading this LSD technology are the Sanyo Eneloops. I noticed that Sanyo is now shipping a newer, higher-power variety of the Eneloop, branded Eneloop XX. The AA-sized Eneloop XX's are supposed to be 2,500 mah capacity, whereas the "regular" Eneloops are supposedly 2,000 mah. I also noticed that MAHA/Powerex is pushing its Imedion line of LSD NiMHs at a lower cost, and they are supposedly 2,400 mah.
Do any of these numbers really mean anything?
I have used older NiMHs from 2002 to about 2010, with mixed results. I admit I let my batteries get old, but it seemed to me some of the oldest ones held the best charge. (Around 2005, I started using a MAHA MH-C808M "smart charger" with LCD display; that charger was damaged by an accident in 2010.) In the Spring of 2010, I tried out Nickel-Zinc batteries from PowerGenix, but they turned out to be a huge disappointment. They wear out quickly and I'm alarmed by how many of my PowerGenix AA cells have failed after less than a year. The NiZns don't seem to hold a charge as well as my best old NiMHs. Plus when I tried fresh NiZns in some flashlights, they burned out the bulbs.
So it's back to Square One, and I'm looking at Eneloops.
I was wondering if anyone can comment on this newer LSD NiMH technology, and these different kinds of batteries. If this isn't the BBS to be posting this subject matter, I apologize and would like to ask where a more appropriate place would be.
Thanks in advance,
--The Mountain Man
I use AAs and AAA-sized batteries for a wide variety of applications, from cameras and voice recorders to flashlights, microphones, GPS units and even a standalone caller-ID unit.
I'd like to get the newer-generation Low Self-Discharge, Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries. The brand spearheading this LSD technology are the Sanyo Eneloops. I noticed that Sanyo is now shipping a newer, higher-power variety of the Eneloop, branded Eneloop XX. The AA-sized Eneloop XX's are supposed to be 2,500 mah capacity, whereas the "regular" Eneloops are supposedly 2,000 mah. I also noticed that MAHA/Powerex is pushing its Imedion line of LSD NiMHs at a lower cost, and they are supposedly 2,400 mah.
Do any of these numbers really mean anything?
I have used older NiMHs from 2002 to about 2010, with mixed results. I admit I let my batteries get old, but it seemed to me some of the oldest ones held the best charge. (Around 2005, I started using a MAHA MH-C808M "smart charger" with LCD display; that charger was damaged by an accident in 2010.) In the Spring of 2010, I tried out Nickel-Zinc batteries from PowerGenix, but they turned out to be a huge disappointment. They wear out quickly and I'm alarmed by how many of my PowerGenix AA cells have failed after less than a year. The NiZns don't seem to hold a charge as well as my best old NiMHs. Plus when I tried fresh NiZns in some flashlights, they burned out the bulbs.
So it's back to Square One, and I'm looking at Eneloops.
I was wondering if anyone can comment on this newer LSD NiMH technology, and these different kinds of batteries. If this isn't the BBS to be posting this subject matter, I apologize and would like to ask where a more appropriate place would be.
Thanks in advance,
--The Mountain Man
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