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**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Does anyone actually use them?
vcal
Flashlight Enthusiast
Fine for relatively low drain devices-especially where full 1.5v voltage is desired, like LED flashlights. Shallow discharge cycles and very frequent charging helps them recharge an avg. 50-75 times.
Good charge retention too.
-Also, a really fair price for this type cell is around $1.00 U.S.-Ebay has good deals on Grandcell brand. Personally, I wouldn't pay much more than that....I've not experienced leakage problems as other forum members have.
Good charge retention too.
-Also, a really fair price for this type cell is around $1.00 U.S.-Ebay has good deals on Grandcell brand. Personally, I wouldn't pay much more than that....I've not experienced leakage problems as other forum members have.
Alaric Darconville
Flashlight Enthusiast
They work great in my Cateye HL-500II headlights, the runtime is a bit lower than with 1800mAH NiMH cells or fresh alkalines, but they're cheap and I get plenty of charges out of them. I also use the D cells in my 3D Mag. And in my Game Boy Color, they are pretty good-- I'd say I get the same runtime from them than from any other cells.
Basically, they're usually only about twice the price of non-rechargeable alkalines-- you use them 3 times and you're ahead of the game! I'm told they are more prone to leakage than standard alkalines-- just inspect them regularly and you'll be fine.
Any oft-used medium-to-high drain device seems to reap the most benefit from them. I wouldn't use them in a remote control or my electronic thermostat, but those Game Boys and bike headlights are the perfect candidate.
Basically, they're usually only about twice the price of non-rechargeable alkalines-- you use them 3 times and you're ahead of the game! I'm told they are more prone to leakage than standard alkalines-- just inspect them regularly and you'll be fine.
Any oft-used medium-to-high drain device seems to reap the most benefit from them. I wouldn't use them in a remote control or my electronic thermostat, but those Game Boys and bike headlights are the perfect candidate.
From what I've read, the best applications for these batteries are applications that require low current draws (like any alkaline). Since rechargeable alkalines have a much lower self-discharge rate than other rechargeable batteries, I think they would be good in applications in which they are used infrequently. I've heard that frequent recharging (i.e., keeping them topped off) makes them last longer.
I recently bought a set of 8 AA and 4 AAA "Grandcell" rechargeables off e-bay. So far, I'm using them in kids' toys that don't draw much power (and sit around for a long time unused), remote controls, and an LED flashlight. I've only had them for a month, so the jury is still out, but they've worked well so far. I've heard of leakage problems but haven't yet experienced any.
I'm planning on testing the cells for a couple of months and, if they check out, buying 24 more AAs. I've got a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old and they've got a lot of toys that use AAs that just sit around for months. I can't use Ni-MH or Ni-Cads because they'll self-discharge and die after a month or two, and I'm tired of buying disposable alkalines. I'll let you know if I find any problems.
BTI, the company that invented rechargeable alkaline technology, used to have good information on its web site but I can't find the pages now. Rayovac has some good info. Check this site: http://www.rayovac.com/busoem/oem/specs/recharge_alk.shtml
I recently bought a set of 8 AA and 4 AAA "Grandcell" rechargeables off e-bay. So far, I'm using them in kids' toys that don't draw much power (and sit around for a long time unused), remote controls, and an LED flashlight. I've only had them for a month, so the jury is still out, but they've worked well so far. I've heard of leakage problems but haven't yet experienced any.
I'm planning on testing the cells for a couple of months and, if they check out, buying 24 more AAs. I've got a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old and they've got a lot of toys that use AAs that just sit around for months. I can't use Ni-MH or Ni-Cads because they'll self-discharge and die after a month or two, and I'm tired of buying disposable alkalines. I'll let you know if I find any problems.
BTI, the company that invented rechargeable alkaline technology, used to have good information on its web site but I can't find the pages now. Rayovac has some good info. Check this site: http://www.rayovac.com/busoem/oem/specs/recharge_alk.shtml
Steelwolf
Flashlight Enthusiast
Used them alot in AAA size in my PalmIIIx. They give a runtime similar to regular alkalines in this application. Also used them in the Arc-AAA. The low self-discharge rate is good. Almost like using a standard AAA alkaline battery except that I like to keep it topped up, so I recharge the ones in my Palm every 2 days.
Problem is that the recharger will only charge 2 at a time (can't do singles), so with the Arc, I had to run the battery for one week, change to its partner, run that for the second week, then charge both. Too much bother and I reverted to disposable alkalines. Anyone have a suggestion on how to recharge one at a time?
Funny thing about the leakage problem. Right from the getgo, the AA stuff that I bought looked like they were leaking already. The lable looked wet under the plastic sheath, but no actual leakage outside. Still using those, but a little wary. The AAA batteries are fine. No leakage or wet-looking lables. BTW, these are GrandCell brand.
Problem is that the recharger will only charge 2 at a time (can't do singles), so with the Arc, I had to run the battery for one week, change to its partner, run that for the second week, then charge both. Too much bother and I reverted to disposable alkalines. Anyone have a suggestion on how to recharge one at a time?
Funny thing about the leakage problem. Right from the getgo, the AA stuff that I bought looked like they were leaking already. The lable looked wet under the plastic sheath, but no actual leakage outside. Still using those, but a little wary. The AAA batteries are fine. No leakage or wet-looking lables. BTW, these are GrandCell brand.
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
I was reading some literature on these batteries and the only advantage I can see is its low self-discharge rate which everyone has already pointed out.
They seem pretty cheap though. Around US$13 for a charger and 4xAA Grandcell batteries. I might just give them a try.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Problem is that the recharger will only charge 2 at a time (can't do singles)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Which charger are you using? I've taken this directly from Grandcell's FAQ:
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Can I charge 1 or 2 cells only, or differently discharged cells at the same time?
Yes, it can charge each cell compartment individually. However, it is recommended that users do not mix battery cells in the usage of electronic devices. As far as possible, use the same set of batteries for a particular device.
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They seem pretty cheap though. Around US$13 for a charger and 4xAA Grandcell batteries. I might just give them a try.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Problem is that the recharger will only charge 2 at a time (can't do singles)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Which charger are you using? I've taken this directly from Grandcell's FAQ:
----------------------------------------
Can I charge 1 or 2 cells only, or differently discharged cells at the same time?
Yes, it can charge each cell compartment individually. However, it is recommended that users do not mix battery cells in the usage of electronic devices. As far as possible, use the same set of batteries for a particular device.
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Brock
Flashaholic
I use a bunch of them in different lights and remote controls and other slow drain applications. I tend to charge them once every other month whether they need it or not. I have been doing this for about 3 years now and still on the same sets. Both of my chargers will charge one battery at a time. I can say they don't work in Digital cameras; Ni-MH's are the beast there.
Brock,
Thanks for the info. As I mentioned previously, I was in the process of testing a small batch of these batteries before "diving in" and buying a bunch. You just saved me a lot of time. I can't use them in every application, but I figure they'll be great in LED flashlights (of course), remote controls and low-drain kids' toys.
By the way, the cheapest place I've seen these is on e-bay for less than a dollar per battery (usually around a dollar per battery with shipping). Does anyone know of a cheaper source?
Thanks for the info. As I mentioned previously, I was in the process of testing a small batch of these batteries before "diving in" and buying a bunch. You just saved me a lot of time. I can't use them in every application, but I figure they'll be great in LED flashlights (of course), remote controls and low-drain kids' toys.
By the way, the cheapest place I've seen these is on e-bay for less than a dollar per battery (usually around a dollar per battery with shipping). Does anyone know of a cheaper source?
Brock
Flashaholic
I usually get mine from Home Depot when they are on sale. I tend to get 10 AA's or AAA's for $8. I like the fact they can sit for a while between uses, and they are cheaper in the long run then alkaline. If you do run them dead, they are usually dead, or won't take much of a charge after that. It is nice to have a 1.6v freshly topped off cell in a LED light, and be able to charge it after only a 1/2 hours use to top it off for full brightness.
Aha!!! I finally found the BTI web page that has the data on rechargeable alkalines. Here it is: www.bti.ca/cellperf.htm
Thanks, DANNO ... been looking for this.
The key to effective / practical use of rechargeable alkalines has always been: "low drain applications" and "effect of depth of discharge". FREQUENT recharging and NOT completely draining this type of battery extends the usable life considerably.
The key to effective / practical use of rechargeable alkalines has always been: "low drain applications" and "effect of depth of discharge". FREQUENT recharging and NOT completely draining this type of battery extends the usable life considerably.
Steelwolf
Flashlight Enthusiast
Someguy: I'm using this wall charger that comes as a pack with 4 AA batteries. The charger takes up to 4 batteries at once, but according to the instructions, the charger is divided in to 2 charging "cells", ie 2 groups each taking 2 batteries. I've not tried putting in only 1 battery to charge but I guess I should just try it out and see what happens?
Thanks for finding that piece of FAQ info for me.
