Just bought Fenix LD20 - Need battery advice

[ormandj]

Hi everyone,

I bought a Fenix LD20 for the sake of using AA batteries which are widely available, and the ability of the light to use NiMH AAs as well.

I've got a little Energizer 15 minute charger which, while slaughtering batteries, is convenient to use when out on the road and batteries are dead. Came with a DC adapter, so it gets the job done.

I've also got a Thunderpower RC 1010C charger and v210 balancer from my RC hobbies, so I'll probably find some plastic battery holders and make some attachments for them, so my primary charging can be done with it. This would be the 'normal' method of charging for the batteries, as I can charge at lower rates to do less damage to the batteries.

So, on to the batteries. I've heard a lot of the current AA/AAA batteries, quite simply, are horrid. I'm looking for something that won't wimp out from sitting for a few weeks. This isn't very useful in a light, be it a book light or a flashlight.

I've read good things about eneloops on here, but I was curious if there were any new developments/better options. If not, I'll grab some of the 8-packs on Amazon. Keeping in mind my intended usage (the LD20) - what are going to be the best batteries for the job?

Thank you kindly for your assistance, I am retiring my SureFire lights because I'm tired of paying the battery tax, on top of the already relatively-expensive light cost. I use my lights a *lot*, which unfortunately chews through batteries (avid camper, fisher, and outdoorsman in general).

Cheers,
David

 

[Russel]

I think Eneloops are probably your best bet.

Here is where I purchase them:

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...extra-4-cell-battery-case-p-287.html?SP_id=50

Enjoy your new flashlight! I have a Fenix L0D-CE and Fenix L2D-CE that should be arriving next week!

 

[Mr Happy]

:welcome:

You are going to hear eneloops being recommended a lot. There are other brands out there, but eneloops have the advantage of being thoroughly tested and the claims made for them are fully verified. Other brands may be as good, but they have not had the same amount of testing done on them. I buy eneloops because I know they work well and I prefer to buy what I know.

A word of warning about the LD20. Like other 2AA Fenix lights, it does not have a specific low battery warning for rechargeable batteries, and if you are not careful it can drain the batteries too far. So when you use it be sure to replace the batteries as soon as you notice any drop in light output and don't let it run the batteries into the ground. If you notice the infamous "bulging tailcap" you have drained the batteries too much and should swap them out right away.

 

[Saint_Dogbert]

I'd second that, Eneloops are still the best low-self-discharge cells out there.
Good job on the Fenix, I'm a fan of all AA size lights, especially 2xaa. Love the versatility.

Also, :welcome:

 

[Hoggy]

If not, I'll grab some of the 8-packs on Amazon.

Also, do watch out for the pricing. Each time I've looked, the price is better on buying 2 4-packs, rather than the 8-pack.
(Solution: just get more 4-packs. ;-)

Just a heads-up...

:welcome:

 

[StarHalo]

Eneloops, that's where the bang-for-the-buck is. Just don't store/expose them to temps under 0F or over 120F. And get a new charger, the 15 minute variety is abusive to your cells and will dramatically shorten their lifetime.

Just a side note if you didn't already know; there are 3.0V rechargeables you can use in your Surefire (they just don't last nearly as long as the standard/primary cells)

 

[Torian]

Looking on amazon, there seem to be two types of eneloop AA offered:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IV2WAW/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

No "new"

Is one just a newer manufacture or are there other differences?

 

[Torian]

Well I seem to be having editing difficulties:

here is the other link that shows "new" on the packaging:

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-HR-3UTG-4BP-Battery-NiMH/dp/B000IDUOPA/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_2_2

 

[tre]

You want Eneloops. You want a new charger. Get the Costco pack that comes with a charger. That is the cheapest route (assuming yuou go to Costco). The Blue and Green Eneloops are the new ones which are supposed to be good for 500 more charges than the old white Eneloops.