My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

[ThomasH]

Hello folks,

I was wondering about running my Fenix L2D-CE flashlights on rechargeable batteries, and I was at my local Target store and saw an interesting deal.

It is the new Rayovac Hybrid batteries, 2 of the AA (2100 mah) and 2 of the AAA (800 mah) with a direct-wall-plug-in charger, all for US$9.99! That seems like a great deal doesn't it! I wonder if they are mis-marked or what?? These are like the enveloops, according to the package, with very low self-discharge.

I bought two of these packages. I charged up the batteries until the indicator LEDs went out, and that took a LONG while! I didn't time it, but hours and hours... and hours!

But finally the charger LEDs went out. I put the AA batteries in my L2D-CE and they seemed to allow the same brightness on Turbo as the Duracell Alkaline I was using. All modes worked fine. I guess they won't last as long, but I have the second set ready to go!

And I put the AAA batteries in my River Rock 2AAA stick light, and it seems just as bright as it did running on the Energizer AAA Lithium. Again, I won't expect as long a runtime, or as good cold weather performance, but I like the re-chargeable factor enough that I am not worried about it. It is an 'around the house" light anyway.

So, it sure seems like a great deal. Both my LED flashlights appear to be very happy!

- Thomas

 

[regulator]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

I just bought two packs at Target yesterday too. I wonder if they are as good as the Eneloops? They sure are cheaper. I noticed on the package that came with the charger that the cells are listed as having 85% capacity after 4 months. I think the Eneloops list this percentage after an entire year. I would like to see tests for these cells to see if the are as good.

 

[ThomasH]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

Hi regulator,

Was that YOU in line!?! Shucks, I should have stopped and said "Hi".

I like how they position the batteries INCORRECTLY for display!?

I wonder if there is a chance of some discharge if they put them in correctly, in pairs? The way they did it, the AAAs are not in contact, which would prevent any circuit forming.


And it is Target, so if they don't work out...


- Thomas

 

[mapson]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

These are like the Eneloops except from what I've read somewhere, these have no cover wrapping on the bottom, the Eneloops do. That lack of a slight wrap gave someone trouble with a light. I forget most of the detail but 99% certain I read it over here at CPF.

Not sure about the charger/battery pricing but I've seen just the 4 packs regularly at $9.99 locally at retail chains.

 

[ThomasH]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

Thanks for the info mapson!

I looked around online and the same package seemed to be going for about US$20, so it seemed like a "can't lose" proposition.

What does a regular alkaline battery store? 3000 mah? Anybody know offhand?

- Thomas

 

[lumenal]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

I bought the same charger/battery combo at Wal*Mart.

The batteries work well, but the charger is just a simple, timer-based one that is designed to go off after 8-8.5 hours. Plus, you must charge in pairs. You're better off getting an individual channel charging one.

I use Sony 2700's in my L2D CE, with excellent results. This flashlight is clearly designed for Ni-MH.:thumbsup:

 

[zipplet]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

I remember reading that Energizer AA alkalines are 2850mah. Probably with a very low discharge rate...

 

[regulator]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

Yeah - I only wanted the cells since I have a Maha 401FS charger that has individual channels. It is a highly rated charger.

I actually have two of them but one of them had a channel actually blow. I heard a loud noise one day and came to notice a strong burning smell and a burn mark where one of the channels is located. The charger still works though and I do not know what happened. I also had one of the transformers fail. These chargers are rated very well but I had bad luck with mine.

 

[ThomasH]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

Thanks for the "charger" info lumenal! Makes it sound kind of worthless!

I have a few year old 8 AA NiMH charger from Radio Shack, do you think that would work any better? It might be more sophisticated, it has a discharge function for example.

- Thomas

 

[XtreMe_G]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

u guys forgot to mention something else......there's an additional $5 mail in rebate if you purchase that with another pack of hybrid batteries, which are like 8/9 bucks.....cant remember

 

[frasera]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

hybrid/enloop are the same
i use some kodak hybrids i got from walmart.com for sale a while back
i use them with a 15min duracell charger for convenience.
gotta love these, finally moreor less solve the self draining thing. so for medium term use flashlights its great.

"
What does a regular alkaline battery store? 3000 mah? Anybody know offhand?"

think there are some alkaline vs nihm discharge rates graphs in some mini mag led reviewthreads. alkalines don't like the relatively high drain and putter out faster than nimh. alkaline would outlast rechargable for low drain things like smoke detectors.

 

[Fallingwater]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

(post deleted, sorry)

 

[geepondy]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

If you do a search and read comments and tests results from the "Batteries Included" forum, it seems the Eneloops are better then the Hybrids but the Hybrids are definitely better then regular nimh cells so I doubt both the Hybrids and the Eneloops are the same battery. Here is one thread that discusses both.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=149804&highlight=hybrids

 

[gorn]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

I picked up some of these at Fry's electonics. Mine came with a charger, 2 AAA and 6 AA batteries for $14.99. I haven't had a problem with them yet, and have found that the AAA's will run devices that some AAA's I got from Amandotech won't work in.

 

[lumenal]

Re: My L2D-CE is running great on Rayovac "Hybrid" NiMH batteries! Good deal?

Thanks for the "charger" info lumenal! Makes it sound kind of worthless!

I have a few year old 8 AA NiMH charger from Radio Shack, do you think that would work any better? It might be more sophisticated, it has a discharge function for example.

- Thomas

You're welcome, Thomas.

As far as that RS charger, can you charge 1,2,3, or any number of cells, up to 8? If so, this would be a better charger than the Hybrid one.