fireguy
Newly Enlightened
I think I probably qualify in that category! :laughing:
I've dabbled in electronics for a few decades and like to think I know a little bit about the subject. However, I'm far from an expert. But I must confess my knowledge about batteries has been on par with the general population.
I've used rechargeables for years but never really found myself happy with their performance. About a year ago I bought a bunch of cheap chinese NiMH on ebay and a small smart charger. I was ecstatic with the performance of these batteries! Making the jump from 600 mAh NiCd's to 2700 mAh NiMh was the best move I've ever made. Everything electronic just ran for an eternity longer than what I had become accustomed.
But then I found CPF and bought a C9000. Now I must hang my head in shame. I tested these miracles of modern technology and found that my 2700 mAh cells were only giving me around 1,800 at best. After several break-in cycles, they were pretty much the same. Certainly 1,8000 mAh is considerably better than my old, battered and abused 600 mAh NiCds, so it was no wonder I was elated!
But now that I'm learning about batteries, chargers and all this wonderful stuff, I realize just how little I knew, and just how poor my purchases have been. (Well, except for the C9000 which is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made.)
After reading several posts here, I bought some Eneloops. After running through a cycle with one of the AA's, I find my 2,000 mAh Eneloop is actually giving me around 1,971 mAh, or 98.5% of its rated capacity. Certainly better than the 75% I'm getting on the 2,700 chinese cells.
I wonder why battery manufacturers don't do a better job of reaching the masses and giving more information to educate them? Surely Sanyo could have some great information on the internet to show why their cells really are fantastic, and not just through marketing hype. Obviously, manufacturers of the cheap cells don't want this, but the name-brand manufacturers who do spend the money for research & development and come out with cells that actually provide what the label says would surely benefit from this. I had never heard of Eneloops before joining CPF!
How many people are buying crap batteries and chargers that are causing considerable damage to their batteries because they just don't know any better? How many products are being sold that are not only junk, but may pose hazards as well? Obviously not everyone needs or wants a C9000 or similar charger/analyzer. For certain most people think "it's just a battery". Some will only consider price, or are attracted to a 15-minute charger. But with a global awareness of the environment and some really cool technological advances in both batteries (such as LSD cells) and chargers, wouldn't it make sense to have more people using good battery technology? I wish I had known more about batteries years ago. I would have saved myself a lot of money and aggravation.
And as an end to my little rant, let me thank everyone on here for their great knowledge and the willingness to share it with everyone, and answer all the questions, especially the ones from newbies like me. Every time I read a post on here I learn something! :twothumbs
Ok, it's late and I should stop typing now!
I've dabbled in electronics for a few decades and like to think I know a little bit about the subject. However, I'm far from an expert. But I must confess my knowledge about batteries has been on par with the general population.
I've used rechargeables for years but never really found myself happy with their performance. About a year ago I bought a bunch of cheap chinese NiMH on ebay and a small smart charger. I was ecstatic with the performance of these batteries! Making the jump from 600 mAh NiCd's to 2700 mAh NiMh was the best move I've ever made. Everything electronic just ran for an eternity longer than what I had become accustomed.
But then I found CPF and bought a C9000. Now I must hang my head in shame. I tested these miracles of modern technology and found that my 2700 mAh cells were only giving me around 1,800 at best. After several break-in cycles, they were pretty much the same. Certainly 1,8000 mAh is considerably better than my old, battered and abused 600 mAh NiCds, so it was no wonder I was elated!
But now that I'm learning about batteries, chargers and all this wonderful stuff, I realize just how little I knew, and just how poor my purchases have been. (Well, except for the C9000 which is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made.)
After reading several posts here, I bought some Eneloops. After running through a cycle with one of the AA's, I find my 2,000 mAh Eneloop is actually giving me around 1,971 mAh, or 98.5% of its rated capacity. Certainly better than the 75% I'm getting on the 2,700 chinese cells.
I wonder why battery manufacturers don't do a better job of reaching the masses and giving more information to educate them? Surely Sanyo could have some great information on the internet to show why their cells really are fantastic, and not just through marketing hype. Obviously, manufacturers of the cheap cells don't want this, but the name-brand manufacturers who do spend the money for research & development and come out with cells that actually provide what the label says would surely benefit from this. I had never heard of Eneloops before joining CPF!
How many people are buying crap batteries and chargers that are causing considerable damage to their batteries because they just don't know any better? How many products are being sold that are not only junk, but may pose hazards as well? Obviously not everyone needs or wants a C9000 or similar charger/analyzer. For certain most people think "it's just a battery". Some will only consider price, or are attracted to a 15-minute charger. But with a global awareness of the environment and some really cool technological advances in both batteries (such as LSD cells) and chargers, wouldn't it make sense to have more people using good battery technology? I wish I had known more about batteries years ago. I would have saved myself a lot of money and aggravation.
And as an end to my little rant, let me thank everyone on here for their great knowledge and the willingness to share it with everyone, and answer all the questions, especially the ones from newbies like me. Every time I read a post on here I learn something! :twothumbs
Ok, it's late and I should stop typing now!