Need a D-Cell recomendation

[curtludwig]

Or probably I need a D-Cell confirmation...
I've been into rechargables for awhile and terribly disappointed, reading here I begin to understand why. The Energizer/Rayovac/Duracell/Cheapie no-name batteries I've been using have quick self discharge and just don't seem to work out. I'd thought it was the cheapo chargers I was using but I think its a little of column A, a little of column B...

Anyway I've got this cabin in the woods and we use D-cells for a lot of things, notably flashlights and a Zodi camp shower. We probably go through a dozen D-cells a year and it irks me.

The place gets used probably 5 weeks a year so LSD is very important as is a good charger that can ideally run of 12v, short term it'll get run off a vehicle long term I want to build a small solar array to make us more self-sufficient.

I've read a bunch and am currently considering a Tenergy T9688 charger with Tenergy 8,000mAh lSD

Zodi doesn't give a rating for its shower pump but it'll burn down 4 D-cells in 4-6 showers so maybe 15 minutes total run. My current light is a CF unit of some sort (its 450 miles away so I can't check it) that gives probably 10 hours run on alkaline batteries. I figure my light is a perfect use for these batteries and if they work out in the shower it'll be a bonus. We've also got a 3 D-cell mag light that is of course hard on batteries but throws good light and gives the confidence that you could club a bear should you see one. :)

I plan to use this as a gateway project for getting into good batteries so I want my choices here to be good ones.

Comments? Better battery choice? Better charger choice? Thanks in advance!

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I was in the same boat as you not too long ago. Two 6D MagLites and a 12v 10" emergency hurricane fan. I don't use the MLs much, if at all and I've replaced the Krypton bulb with TL Ministar 5s, so runtime isn't an issue. The fan takes 8Ds, so that's 20 alkaleaks, or NiMH batteries, total, that my OCD requires of me.

I went and researched the various NiMH cells out there, as well as the C/D charging cradles for my Maha C9000, to charge those types up and I ended up just buying 20 Duracell D batteries either on sale, or with coupons and while I paid roughly $7.50/4 pack, I could have saved even more at places like Costco and/or Sams.

The cost just didn't add up for me, with the numbers I require.

I still have Energizer and Duracell Ds in my two MagLites, that have 2002/2003 expiry dates on them, so they're '90s production runs and they're still over 1.50v and fire right up. A couple of them have leaked over the years, in their blister packs, but damn...I can't argue with their shelf life. Maybe they just made them better back then?

My point is is if you're using only 12 a year, that's maybe $14 at Costco and really not a lot of money assuming that they don't leak and ruin stuff.

The Accupower and PowerEx Ds are going to set you back $27-$32 a pair, the Centuras closer to $8-$9 a piece and then you'll want a decent charger. You just need to crunch the numbers and see what you see. It really wasn't cost effective for me to switch over to NiMH Ds.

What about getting a 6v AGM/SLA mother battery and build up a little solar charging kit and run the shower dohicky (4x1.5v=6v?) off of that?

Chris

 

[Exostencil]

Have you considered using Eneloop AAs with D cell adapters? Eneloop are by far the best Ni-MH batteries I've come across for keeping their charge.

Something like this maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008D5FRW/?tag=cpf0b6-20

 

[curtludwig]

I hear you on the cost thing, the rechargables will pay for themselves eventually but it'll be a long payback for sure.

I'd also thought about a large battery conversion for the shower, I've actually got another idea for that, I'm going to mount my water in a tank above the shower so gravity will work for me rather than against. I don't know if it'll give enough pressure for a satisfying shower but it'll take load off the pump for sure.

Another consideration here is the self-sufficiency aspect. This is my bug out location and in the worst case scenario a resupply of batteries won't be available, thats one of the big reason I'm looking at rechargables...

 

[BillSWPA]

I am beginning the process of switching over my AA and AAA batteries from alkaleaks to Eneloops. I just ordered a bunch of batteries, plus one charger for home and one for the office.

In deciding what to buy, I looked at changing over my D cells as well. However, the only items I have that use D cells are an outdated flashlight, a crib "aquarium," and a baby swing that my kids have grown out of. When I looked at the cost of low self discharge NiMH D cells plus charger, I found that the cells were about $7-$8 each. Regarding the charger, maybe I didn't look around enough, but I found that I would have either had to settle for a lesser grade charger for the AA/AAA in order to have more charging sizes, or buy a second charger for the D cells. Given the small number of D cells I use, it just wasn't worth it to switch. So, I will stick with Duracell and Energizer primary alkaline D cells for now.

 

[Sagebrush]

I have a bunch of Tenergy D Cells, for my use they are cheaper, more convient and durable. No leaking from long term storage! I use mine on a regular basis though. I've had duracells leak on me way too quick. For a cabin I would get the Centuras. I rather use reliable non leaking Tenergy D Cells. I even like the Tenergy charger, used it for two years at least weekly.

 

[curtludwig]

Now you've got me rethinking again. I priced up the Tenergy charger and 4 of the LSD batteries on Amazon for $63 with free shipping through Amazon prime.

Maybe the Tenergy charger can do better with my cheap batteries than the cheapo Energizer chargers are.

 

[StorminMatt]

Now you've got me rethinking again. I priced up the Tenergy charger and 4 of the LSD batteries on Amazon for $63 with free shipping through Amazon prime.

Maybe the Tenergy charger can do better with my cheap batteries than the cheapo Energizer chargers are.

I have to admit that the Tenergy charger hasn't been too kind to me. After well under a year, it quit on me. But at the same time, their warranty is just three months. So they wouldn't help me with it. I ended up replacing it with a Maha 808. Hopefully, your Tenergy charger will be better than mine. Just make sure it is fully charging all your cells, as mine had a HUGE problem with early termination.

On the oher hand, I have had GREAT luck with Tenergy NiMH batteries. At least in the one year I have had them, they have been as good as any Eneloop. Not sure about ultimate longevity. But even if you ony get 2-3 years out of them, that's potentially LOTS of cash saved.

 

[davesc]

I have 3 of the MagLights, (LED's)...that use two D cells. I have AA Eneloops with the D cell adapters. My MagLights do not work using the AA's and adaptors. Not enough voltage to drive the LED's? They work fine with D size cells.

I am in the same boat. Go rechargable or continue to buy alkalines? I hate getting rid of good lights that still work...but going to rechargables in the D size costs a lot.

 

[357mag1]

I have 3 of the MagLights, (LED's)...that use two D cells. I have AA Eneloops with the D cell adapters. My MagLights do not work using the AA's and adaptors. Not enough voltage to drive the LED's? They work fine with D size cells.

I am in the same boat. Go rechargable or continue to buy alkalines? I hate getting rid of good lights that still work...but going to rechargables in the D size costs a lot.

There must be something wrong with your adapters as I drive LED D cell Maglites with Eneloop batteries with no problem. The current draw on most of the LED Maglites are around 1 amp which the Eneloops do without any problem.

 

[davesc]

I will mess around with them some more...Maybe a bad connection with the end cap...


Hey 357!....I messed around with one of the lights again. One thing I noticed was the coil spring on the end cap looked too big around to make contact with the smaller surface area of the AA battery. So, I cut a round washer out of some aluminum flashing to go between negative terminal and the coil spring on the end cap. I put it all together and turned on the switch. Nothing. Then I bumped the bottom of the light on the table smartly. Voila! I had light! The bump must have seated the batteries making better contact.
So...I gotta say...Thanks!!!!!!

Onto the other MagLights!

How long on average will these Maglights burn with two AA 1900 mah Eneloops in them? Any idea?

 

[357mag1]

I will mess around with them some more...Maybe a bad connection with the end cap...


Hey 357!....I messed around with one of the lights again. I cut a round washer out of some aluminum flashing to go between negative terminal and the coil spring on the end cap. The coil spring was too big around to make contact with the smaller surface area of the AA battery. I put it all together and turned on the switch. Nothing. Then I did bumped the bottom of the light on the table smartly. Voila! I had light! The bump must have seated the batteries making better contact.
Thanks!!!!!!

How long on average will these Maglights burn with two AA 1900 mah Eneloops in them? Any idea?

No problem.

Right around 90-100 minutes. I've never done runtime tests on them so that is an educated guess. My 2D Maglite draws around 1100mah on fresh batteries and slightly more as they become depleted.

 

[davesc]

Thank you! 90 to 100 minutes is a long time ! What a good way to go! I have plenty of Eneloops. I am slowly converting everything from alkalines to Eneloops. I already have all my deer feeders switched over to Eneloops...out in the woods.

 

[curtludwig]

Oooh, I like the sound of this, 90 minutes would be plenty of run time for me. I've got a fluorescent light over my bed in my cabin that also uses D cells and I bet it'd run for a good long time, its not as hard on batteries as the MagLight is...

 

[davesc]

Yeah, and if you have spare Eneloops, you are all set.

You can also get a solar panel, hook up a cigarette lighter type of connector to it. Some chargers on the market have a pig tail plug for charging from a vehicle. A solar panel hooked that way and you are set if you don't have power.

A good unit for solar is the Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit. You can Goggle it to get some ideas.

 

[curtludwig]

I'm looking at an MH-C9000 with a 12v pigtail. For my cabin I plan to install a small (probably 50w) solar panel and a 12v battery (an older car battery, my needs are modest) which will provide for the charger and the light/fan on our range hood, gotta have a range hood when you cook bacon... The range hood is setup for 110v right now with an inverter but for better efficiency I intend to convert it to 12v native with a 12v bulb.