Duracell Pre-Charged questions.

[Woods Walker]

I have gotten back into rechargeable batteries. The main issue with them is the self discharge. Most of my flashlights are used for camping. I seen some Duracell Pre-charged batteries on sale so picked some up for my Fenix flashlights. I was informed by another member of CPF that Duracell has these made for them. I was informed that the ones with the black tops are made by Rayovac and the white tops are re packaged Sanyo eneloops.

http://www.eneloopusa.com/eneloop.html


According to most on this form eneloops are very good batteries for my Fenix lights. So if true are the repackaged eneloops better than the repackaged Rayovacs? This photo shows the difference in appearance.

 

[Mr Happy]

I have tested the ones with the white tops and I do believe them to be identical to Eneloops. I also believe the Eneloops to be better than the Rayovac Hybrid cells or other brand equivalents -- I think Eneloops have better charge retention and lower internal resistance.

Given that knowledge, I have been careful not to buy any of the Duracells with the black tops, and therefore have not compared them side by side. Neither am I likely to, since for the same price I would prefer to choose the cell I have more confidence in.

Since you own both you are in a perfect position to compare them and see what you think. If you run them in your lights, can you measure a difference in run time? Soon after charging? After storage for 3 months?

 

[Woods Walker]

Right now I am using Energizer AAA 900mAh and AA 2450 mAh standard rechargables. I wil test the Black top Pre-Charged first and see what happens. I see that the Black tops are made in China and the White tops are made in Japan. This makes me think the MB is right about the two makers.

 

[StarHalo]

I shopped around when I was looking for LSDs for my TLE-300 Mag, BatteryJunction says the Uniross Hybrios actually outperform the Sanyo Eneloops: http://www.batteryjunction.com/hybrio.html

I don't have Eneloops to compare these to, and can't confirm their longevity since I only use the light in brief incriments, but I can say I've used them that way for over a month now and haven't had to recharge them..

 

[Mr Happy]

BatteryJunction says the Uniross Hybrios actually outperform the Sanyo Eneloops: http://www.batteryjunction.com/hybrio.html

Take what you read with a pinch of salt. I have several packages of Hybrios exactly like the ones pictured. In spite of the label saying 2100 mAh, I cannot tell them apart in appearance or electrical characteristics from Eneloops. But bear in mind that not all Hybrios are the same. The Hybrio brand has been applied to cells from different sources and only one of them is an Eneloop clone (namely the one pictured at Battery Junction).

See this thread for more details than you ever wanted to know on the subject.

 

[StarHalo]

See this thread for more details than you ever wanted to know on the subject.

Thanks for the info, good to know I got a good deal :thumbsup:

 

[Woods Walker]

Good info Mr. Happy.

What I am looking to do with the precharged batteries beyond EDC is for extended trips on the AT and my BOB. I have been testing out this recharger.

I want to do a thread on it but need more field time under my belt using the Duracell Pre-Charged batteries/solar charger combo. I did do a few tests with the Energizer AAA and my PT headlamp. Seemed to work. However I will have to do a few months testing before I can say much more on the topic. I do think these Pre-Charged batteries are a major step forward. I got them on Sale for around 10 bucks a pack.

 

[Aluminous]

What I am looking to do with the precharged batteries beyond EDC is for extended trips on the AT and my BOB. I have been testing out this recharger.

I want to do a thread on it but need more field time under my belt using the Duracell Pre-Charged batteries/solar charger combo. I did do a few tests with the Energizer AAA and my PT headlamp. Seemed to work. However I will have to do a few months testing before I can say much more on the topic. I do think these Pre-Charged batteries are a major step forward. I got them on Sale for around 10 bucks a pack.

Interesting. Please reply to this thread with a link when you do start a thread for the review; I don't want to miss it.

 

[Woods Walker]

Sure. The solar recharger folds up and is made to hang on a pack and is maybe 2 oz. It can recharge 2 AAA or AA batteries in 10 hours or so they say. They do make a 4 cell model but found this one at ****s for 66% off. So for 20 bucks I picked it up. I will do the testing with the AA Duracell Pre-Charged White tops as these are the replacements for the 2450 mAh Energizers. I don't have the gear to make graphs or voltage tests so I will base the testing on what the output of my L2D Q5 looks like after each solar recharge.

So far it has worked with the 900 mAh energizer AAA so I hope the same will hold true for the Duracells. Maybe in a month I will have enough charging cycles under my belt to do a total review. I will report back to this thread at that time with the link.

 

[Woods Walker]

Interesting. Please reply to this thread with a link when you do start a thread for the review; I don't want to miss it.

Done.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=203533

 

[Aluminous]

Done.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=203533

Thanks :thumbsup: