Rechargeable D Cells In 2024

[kilogulf59]

Long story short, I have a new CCRadio 2E Enhanced radio and, aside from AC, it takes four D cells. AC will be the primary power source, DC for backup. I'd rather not leave primary cells in it for fear of leakage. Also, I'd rather not use adaptors as I would need 12 AA NiMH cells. Are there any good D secondary cells out there?

 

[vicv]

Imedions are good cells

 

[Macgravy]

I have been using Amazon Basics 4-Pack Rechargeable D Cell NiMH Batteries since 2020. And they are still holding right up there as they were new. Of course they don't get used very much. The oldest are in an old Mag Lite with a cheap LED upgrade. Since then I have added more of them. Last year I hit number 20. They are now in 3 LED Lanterns and an old Grundig Satellit 750 radio. I do a test on them every month for like for 5 minutes. And every 12 months I do a discharge/charge on them. Since they don't get used very much they hold around 85% of their 10,000mAh ratings and charge up to around 11,000mAh or more. Of course you will need a charger that you can fit them. My charger is no longer made. But there is a XTAR VP4L Plus Dragon charger that may be to complex for some. These are the only D size NiMH batteries that I have used and they are still going strong. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[Schokokeks]

I've been window shopping some Tenergy 10,000 mAh NiMH D-cells on Batteryjunction. I've heard they're decent, but would be glad to hear more opinions on this subject.

The D-cell battery situation is half of what's given me pause on doing a 2.4v 2D Mag conversion.

 

[Monocrom]

Eneloop adapters exist that will let you use AA batteries inside of C or D cell flashlights. They work inside of modern-day LED models but not in older incandescent ones. Plus, capacity will obviously be an issue. It's an option, but looks as though you've already gotten better suggestions.

 

[Schokokeks]

Eneloop adapters exist that will let you use AA batteries inside of C or D cell flashlights. They work inside of modern-day LED models but not in older incandescent ones. Plus, capacity will obviously be an issue. It's an option, but looks as though you've already gotten better suggestions.

This is actually a good suggestion. You get 2xD and 2xC adapters in one of the Eneloop "starter kits" (which, everyone should have at least one of).

If it's just for something used intermittently, it's enough capacity. Plus, you don't need a new charger and/or cells that are almost $10 each.

But, those fricking 10 Amp hour NiMH D-cells are pretty hilariously awesome in terms of capacity.

 

[vicv]

Eneloop adapters exist that will let you use AA batteries inside of C or D cell flashlights. They work inside of modern-day LED models but not in older incandescent ones. Plus, capacity will obviously be an issue. It's an option, but looks as though you've already gotten better suggestions.

They work great in incandescent models

 

[kilogulf59]

Aside from cells previously mentioned, has anyone any experience with EBL D cells? These have a claimed 10000 mAh run time and seem reasonably priced.
Re converters/adapters: I ran single AA to C cell units in a Streamlight Waypoint for years and they worked great. This was actually my first exposure to NiMH cells (Eneloops) and it sold me. Also saved us a hell of a lot of money as we used the light everyday.
I have three AA to one D cell parallel adapters. This would mean I'd need 12 dedicated NiMH AA cells, 24 if I wanted a reload. This is do-able but charging could be time consuming.
One AA to one D cell adapters would work but what would the run time be like.
I just came across this other option, a single 18650 Li-Ion to two D-Cell adapter (ref attachment). I already have 18650 Li-Ion cells and a charger. I would need two adapters, my radio takes four D cells in two pairs. Thoughts?

 

[vicv]

Aside from cells previously mentioned, has anyone any experience with EBL D cells? These have a claimed 10000 mAh run time and seem reasonably priced.
Re converters/adapters: I ran single AA to C cell units in a Streamlight Waypoint for years and they worked great. This was actually my first exposure to NiMH cells (Eneloops) and it sold me. Also saved us a hell of a lot of money as we used the light everyday.
I have three AA to one D cell parallel adapters. This would mean I'd need 12 dedicated NiMH AA cells, 24 if I wanted a reload. This is do-able but charging could be time consuming.
One AA to one D cell adapters would work but what would the run time be like.
I just came across this other option, a single 18650 Li-Ion to two D-Cell adapter (ref attachment). I already have 18650 Li-Ion cells and a charger. I would need two adapters, my radio takes four D cells in two pairs. Thoughts?

I would stay away from EBL cells personally. There are some of the lowest quality ones made.

 

[Monocrom]

They work great in incandescent models

Sorry, but that hasn't been my experience with the adapters.

 

[Monocrom]

Aside from cells previously mentioned, has anyone any experience with EBL D cells?

Ironically the only EBL rechargeables I own are AAAA cells (not a typo).
They're O.K., but nothing to write home about.

 

[captianworkbench]

I have had very good luck myself with Tenergy Centura SSD NiMh D cells. While not cheap, picking up your light, radio, or whatever you have them installed in six months down the road and not having the cells dead from self discharge is very valuable in my book.

 

[Macgravy]

The AA to D converters are an interesting option. You really don't have to put in all 3 AA cells. They are in parallel. You might be able to get by with 1 or 2 AA cells. Just depends how long you want them to last. If 1 cell runs long enough, then that is really all you need. That might save your recharge and help with your reload. You will just have to reload more often. You be the judge.

 

[alpg88]

Tenergy premium, tenergy centura lsd . I had bad luck with their base version, other two I mentioned I personally used and had no issues.

 

[vicv]

Sorry, but that hasn't been my experience with the adapters.

What has gone wrong?

 

[Macgravy]

According to the instruction manual, The current needed to run this radio on battery is 40-50ma. If you are using 2000mAh Eneloop's, then taking the worse case of 50mA, you could run the radio for 40 hours. Of course this would require 4 AA NiMH batteries, 1 in each D adapter. Interesting option. I don't know if you will reallly get the full 40 hours or perhaps even 20 hours of runtime is probably more realistic because NiMH batteries are lower voltage. I would expect the battery gauge on the radio would reflect this at some point in time, but then I'm guessing it's calibrated for Alkaline only, so it may not until it's to late.

This would be interesting to find out what your runtime is with 1, 2 or 3 AA batteries in the size D converters.

Whatever you decide to do. You will notice that if you use all 3 AA cell per D adapter, you will still not get the full runtime as using true D cells.

On an Amazon site they state up to 250 hours on fresh D cells. Now with Alkaline batteries at the usual 50ma drain that manufacturers using in testing them, that would yield D cells with 12500mAh capacity. Which isn't to far off of some size D ratings I have seen. Actually at 1 time, I read some Panasonic specs stating 18000mAh, but with no load stated. I think that this is a little much from the marketing department.

 

[Monocrom]

What has gone wrong?

I don't know. Used an older model (but newly purchased) 2D inca. BrightStar model. Definitely not rated for a ton of lumens. Worked properly with 2D cells. Pulled those out. Tossed in 2AA cells using two of the Eneloop D-cell adapters.... ended up with a tiny, yellow, sickly light that could best be described as dimmer than half a lumen! Meanwhile the very same cells in the very same adapters worked flawlessly in a modern-day 2D LED model a few minutes earlier. Don't have an explanation. They should have worked in both lights.

 

[Schokokeks]

Aside from cells previously mentioned, has anyone any experience with EBL D cells? These have a claimed 10000 mAh run time and seem reasonably priced.
Re converters/adapters: I ran single AA to C cell units in a Streamlight Waypoint for years and they worked great. This was actually my first exposure to NiMH cells (Eneloops) and it sold me. Also saved us a hell of a lot of money as we used the light everyday.
I have three AA to one D cell parallel adapters. This would mean I'd need 12 dedicated NiMH AA cells, 24 if I wanted a reload. This is do-able but charging could be time consuming.
One AA to one D cell adapters would work but what would the run time be like.
I just came across this other option, a single 18650 Li-Ion to two D-Cell adapter (ref attachment). I already have 18650 Li-Ion cells and a charger. I would need two adapters, my radio takes four D cells in two pairs. Thoughts?

I think many of us are thinking of these Eneloop branded adapters, as opposed to the triple cell ones.

This is essentially just a capped sleeve that you put a single AA cell into, so it works as a D-cell (many NiMH cells are essentially these, anyway).

Panasonic Eneloop D Cell Spacer AA Battery Converters - 4 Pack

Panasonic Eneloop D-Cell SpacersUse your AA Eneloop batteries in any device!Eneloop products are good for the environment and even better for your wallet. Replace your traditional "D" batteries with this spacer kit. Let your AA eneloop rechargeable cells

www.batteryjunction.com

 

[kilogulf59]

I just noticed that my Nitecore New i2 charger will also accept D cell NiMH batteries so that helps.

OK, thinking aloud here and trying to reply to everyone's comments. BTW, thanks all for the help, I really appreciate this. Hopefully this thread will also assist others.

@vicv Those Imedion D cells are definitely out of my price range, however I found a four pack of Tenergy Premium 10000 mAh D cells for $28. That's cheaper than buying the dozen Eneloop AA cells to fill my adapters.

@Macgravy you say the Amazon Basic NiMH D cells are working for you? I wonder who makes them? I have some Basic AA and AAA cells, black with a green band from 2018 and they've been good to me so far. At that time, my research showed they were, in reality, Eneloop 4th generation cells.

So no one has any input of the 18650 to two D cell adapter shown in post #8?

@captianworkbench since the DC option wouldn't be used much, I assume that I'd be better off with Tenergy Centuras than their Premium line?

@Macgravy thanks for the research but honestly I probably wouldn't do any testing if I go with those adapters. They have since become an option again because I can get a dozen Tenergy or Basic AA cells much cheaper than Eneloops. I know Eneloops are king but really how bad are the other brands from a users perspective?

@Schokokeks yep, I know them. I mentioned in post #8, I used the AA to C Eneloop adapters for a spotlight. Though I did no formal testing, I did not notice any significant difference in run time either. Honestly, they seemed to last a bit longer than primary C cells. This would be the cheapest option for me as I have enough NiMH AA cells on hand to easily fill four adapters. Now you have me thinking, if I'm backing these up with D primary cells, why not?

Just so everyone knows, I want rechargeables for the obvious reason but mainly so I don't have to worry about leakage with them kept in the radio. I will be backing these up with a few reloads of Energizer MAX D cells JIC of an emergency.

 

[Lightcollector]

If you are considering off brands, of which I include ebl and tenergy, I would recommend Amazon Basic's rechargable batteries as being just as good for less money.

As far as D cells go, I don't have any personal experience, I am only commenting on the quality and usability for money spent. I have only used aa and aaa rechargable batteries.

Talking about older electronics, if they don't run well on almost completely dead alkaline batteries then they won't run well on NIMH batteries. 1.2v vs 1.5v nominal... 1.2v is almost dead for an alkaline, they start at almost 1.6v fully charged. If you need the alkaline voltages in a rechargeable then I recommend looking at Nickel Zinc or lithium powered cells. Sadly I don't know any good brands if you need that battery chemistry in a D cell, you are at the mercy of random Chinese brands.