Educate Me: AA NiMH

[prisoner6]

I know everyone recommends their favorite NiMH AA and Chargers, but was hoping someone could educate me on why the standard NiMh Rechargeables I can get down at the local Target are a bad idea.

I like the idea of getting a 1x AA over a 1x 123, but know alkalines are iffy, and I don't want to get into a big to-do over buying all kinds of expensive accessories. This is for a pocket light after all.

I don't doubt that your normal Duracell or Energizer isn't the best in the world, I'm just curious why?

 

[travelinman]

This should probably be over on the batteries forum. Lots of info there on this topic.

 

[Hack On Wheels]

High internal resistance, high self-discharge, higher loss of capacity both from charge cycles and just sitting... though I'm sure people who frequent the Electronics/Batteries section would be able to provide better info.

Currently the Eneloop seems to be without a challenger for being the best all-around use AA NiMH cell. (The Duraloop, a Duracell re-branded Eneloop, is also an option... look for the white top/ring around the button top!)

 

[Marduke]

In short, they are generally lower quality batteries (you can sometimes get good ones on the shelf) and dumb timed chargers that will quickly kill you batteries.

There are numerous exceptions, but that covers most of them.

 

[prisoner6]

This should probably be over on the batteries forum. Lots of info there on this topic.

My apologies, I did not see that there was a Forum for batteries. I will head there now.

 

[NonSenCe]

i only have 4 eneloops (considered the one of the best available according to people in the know)

rest of my nimhs are general store cheaper version.. 30-40 something of them. and only the really crappy ones are unused, meaning the very old ones that are already worn down or have very small capacity.

the duracell and eneloop etc LSD lowselfdischarge cells are good option if you need to keep the charge available for long time.. (like keeping them in storage shelf for few months or weeks till you need them)

but if you really use and empty the batteries in rather fast pace.. you keep charging them as they run empty, or top off time to time and keep swaping them into the flashlights or other high consumption appliances, then in my mind one do not absolutely need lsd cells for that. regular decent quality ones should do fine.

they have done for me.. i keep taking the batteries out of my flashlights atleast once i couple weeks no matter if i used it .. and check voltage or just top it off anyway. and if i use the light i do rotate the batteries more often.

my thought, any nimh is better than alkaline in high power demand things. and i do prefer rechargables over primaries.

-primaries are in use as spare batteries, and in low power consumption devices (tv remote, dont need nimhs in my mind. i do have them in some of mine thou)


and you can buy primary lithium energizer AA instead of alkalines. (lithium is not same as li-ion) i keep those in glovebox as spares as tey withstand extreme temperatures better and also give me decade of true shelflife. and they dont leak like cheap alkalines might. i hate cleaning up the mess they make.

alkalines just bend over to their knees so fast under heavy power consumption. they just cant keep up feeding the hungry beast of flashlight. nimhs can do that better. ( i keep eneloop in d10.. li-ion in quark, or vice versa )

 

[DM51]

My apologies, I did not see that there was a Forum for batteries. I will head there now.

I'm moving the thread there for you.

 

[prisoner6]

First, thanks for the move!

Second, I'm looking for a light for pocket carry, not an everyday user. If we're talking somewhat infrequent use, but the ability to switch out batteries often, should I be okay? Would I be better off going with off the shelf NiMH or Lithium in AA, or just going ahead with 123? Availability of 123 isn't a problem for me, but either those or Lithium AA will be pricey. On the other hand, I won't be using them up that fast either.

So, average NiMH with Lithium backup, or just go 123?

 

[alfreddajero]

Well since your not going to be using the light like i do then lsd's should fit the bill.....is there a light your taking a look at or want.

 

[prisoner6]

I'm going back and forth on Quark AA, Quark 123, Nitecore D10 and Nitecore EX10. Sometimes I think I've decided, then I read something else...

Then if I decide Quark, do I go Normal or Tactical? Sheesh.

At the moment I'm leaning EX10....

 

[alfreddajero]

It seems to me like your having a dilemma, you just dont know what light to choose as your edc...lmao. It seems to me that you should pick two and edc both.

 

[KiwiMark]

It seems to me that you should pick two and edc both.

This is a pretty sensible suggestion. I have a Nitecore D10 and a Quark AA - if I carry both then I have a backup that is as capable as the main light and both use the same battery size. If your battery goes flat or your torch fails then you just grab the backup and keep going - later you figure out what went wrong.
To someone new to this it may seem a bit over the top and rather expensive but once you get used to carrying a good quality light you really don't want to have it fail and be left in the dark like all the non-enlightened people. If you are going to carry a spare battery then it might as well be in the spare light - that way you are also covered for many situations over and above a simple flat battery (faulty torch, drop torch - breaking it, drop torch - losing it, etc) as well as the option of lending someone your backup in an emergency situation. I carry 3 lights every day, even though I have never had a need to use more than one (no failures in the last decade) - but I would rather have a spare light and not need it than need a spare light and not have it. Being prepared is comforting.

Anyway prisoner6 if you get one of the AA torches you listed then you will have a good start on being well prepared. I like both my Nitecore and my Quark - they are both good quality and are unlikely to let you down.

 

[alfreddajero]

I also edc three......on my hip i have the ITP C9, D10, and clipped to the inside of my pocket i have the Romisen A4X as a lender.

 

[qwertyydude]

I'd say get a decent charger first and foremost this will prolong the cycle life of your batteries. I'd personally get a few good lsd cells and the other stuff in often used high drain devices I'd get cheaper cells, I've been having a good experience with Powerizer AA cells from battery junction. These are among the cheapest cells around that are still decent quality. I don't know about rayovac 4.0, supposedly lsd but cheaper than cheapy nimh cells. Also almost as cheap as alkalines at fry's yep, so I bought me some of the AAA's since I bought a bulk pack of 80 AA Powerizers so I'm set on those.

 

[crazyk4952]

I'd say get a decent charger first and foremost this will prolong the cycle life of your batteries. .

+1

It is rather hard (if not impossible) to find good chargers at your local Target store. If you order a good charger online, you really will get so much more life out of your cells (I know from personal experience). It is definitely worth the initial investment.

 

[qwertyydude]

The energizer 1 hour charger is pretty decent, it won't tell you the capacity of the cells but it's got independent channel charging and more importantly charge cutoff when the cell is full.