NIMH Battery Question

[Frankiarmz]

I have been using AA and AAA NIMH batteries for a few years and I've seen the MAH increase for these handy batteries but they don't hold a charge very well. I have begun to buy the Hybrid or Precharged NIMH and they do hold their charge much longer, only down side is the lower MAH. Does anyone know why there is such a difference and do you believe we will see these batteries increase in MAH?

 

[mikekoz]

They probably will increase as the companies making them keep improving them. I remember when NIMH batteries (AA) were only around 1500Mah, and I think I have seen some now around 3000Mah!!

Mike

 

[Mr Happy]

The lower capacity is part of the reason they can hold their charge better. Some space inside the battery is taken up with components and design changes that assist charge retention, leaving less space for electrode surface.

Also, when you take into account the optimistic rating of some 2700 mAh cells, their higher self-discharge rate and their greater tendency to deteriorate and lose capacity with use, the difference in realizable capacity between the best of the LSD cells and high capacity regular cells is not quite as great as it might at first seem. For the way I use them I get far greater capacity and lifetime out of my LSD cells than non-LSD cells.

 

[Frankiarmz]

Thanks guys. I kept buying higher MAH NIMH batteries but unless I use them in a short time from charging the extra MAH's is pointless due to discharge. The hybrid or precharged make a lot more sense for most of my applications.