Next generation of NiMH?

[zband]

I was wondering what you think is going to be the next generation of rechargeable battery in terms of AA's and AAA's.

It seems to me we started with NiCD->NiMH->NiMH (LSD)

Do you think the chemistry will stay the same ? or will there be further improvement to LSD capacity?

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I think LSD capacity will slowly increase to perhaps *claimed* 2500mah but actually about 2300mah. I think there are limits to NiMh tech unless there is nanotech in the construction which may not happen anyway due to expense. A lot of these super duper batteries hyped with exotic tech never happen due to manufacturing and production costs.

 

[balou]

I wouldn't say that LSDs are superior to standard NiMHs.
If you go through 1 battery a week for your EDC like me, normal NiMHs offer superior capacity with no disadvantage. edit: of course LSDs have advantages, just wanted to point out not in every usage case

Chemistry.. I think that has already changed, in form of Li-ion batteries. They're much closer to the voltage LEDs need. While they theoretically have about the same watthour rating, they last longer in practice because they don't need a not-so-efficient step-up converter like the 1.2v chemistries.

Lynx_Arc: yes, NiMH nanotech may not happen, because the industry focus is clearly on Li-ion and Li-poly. But there, nanotech will happen, because consumers demand smaller and more powerful portable devices (think iPhones). NiMhs are just to big, and unconveniently cylindrically shaped.

 

[Marduke]

I wouldn't say that LSDs are superior to standard NiMHs.
If you go through 1 battery a week for your EDC like me, normal NiMHs offer superior capacity with no disadvantage. edit: of course LSDs have advantages, just wanted to point out not in every usage case

Low self discharge is not their only plus vs regular NiMH cells. Higher voltage under load, lower internal resistance, higher number of charge/discharge cycles, and tolerance to abuse all also favor LSD cells such as Eneloops vs regular high capacity NiMH.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

My beef with the higher capacity nimh is HSD, I have some kodak 900mah AAAs that a week later have LESS capacity in them than some 650mah cell phone AAA pulls have. A month later the kodak AAAs are at less than a volt while the generics can light up a luxeon headlamp bright as can be.

 

[balou]

Low self discharge is not their only plus vs regular NiMH cells. Higher voltage under load, lower internal resistance, higher number of charge/discharge cycles, and tolerance to abuse all also favor LSD cells such as Eneloops vs regular high capacity NiMH.

Can't really see a voltage/Wh difference at 2.0amp in this thread: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=79302
However, higher cycle count and higher tolerance to abuse are good reasons for pondering a change to them.

But as I already hinted at in my last post - I jumped straight from conventional NiMHs to Li-Ions. Came cheaper than buying Eneloops and a suitable charger.

 

[Marduke]

Can't really see a voltage/Wh difference at 2.0amp in this thread: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=79302
However, higher cycle count and higher tolerance to abuse are good reasons for pondering a change to them.

But as I already hinted at in my last post - I jumped straight from conventional NiMHs to Li-Ions. Came cheaper than buying Eneloops and a suitable charger.

If you look closely, Eneloops maintain a significantly higher voltage under the same load vs other NiMH brands. Their voltage sags less. This is one reason why they are very common for hotwire mods. It is also why they are often preferred in voltage picky digital cameras.