Summary from an average Joe

[tazgizmo]

Yep, I'm just an average Joe trying to find his way. With a new baby on the way and lots of money potentially wasted in the future, I have been assigned the task of figuring out this new world of rechargeables (new to us). We already see many things with batteries just for baby (swing to start). We can only guess at the amount of battery devices to be accumulated as he/she (will be a surprise for us) gets older. And if you have brothers like mine who can't wait to be uncles, I know they are already scheming as to what toys will give off the biggest light show and make the most sound as to annoy said parents.

I've gone through what I think are the applicable threads and this is my attempt at a summary. Please feel free to give me a swift kick in the pants where you feel I have made errors. (Boy am I glad I didn't listen to the Radio Shack guy when I was just farting around with the idea in the beginning.)

Batteries Needed
At first it is looking like C's and D's for the baby gear. As baby gets older and we move to toddler and kid stage it is looking like AA's and C's.

Charger
Due to the variety of batteries needed a combination charger looks like my best choice. I see I should be looking at either the MAHA MH C808M or ACCUMANAGER 20. MAHA more expensive but seems to have more features. The choice between rapid charge or soft charge seems ideal for when I would like to use soft charge to extend battery life but may need the rapid charge for those times I forgot to have an extra set on hand for when the baby swing dies. Do I need the 9V capability of the Accumanager? I'm ok with spending more money on the MAHA if it means better quality that will last me longer.

Types of Batteries

For AA and AAA's
Holy crap lots of testing. Looks like Sanyo 2700 have been the past winner. Now days it looks like many are switching to Eneloop. Choosing the advantages of low discharge over high capacity.

So for me a high capacity battery is good for something like a PSP or Nintendo? (can't really think of devices I / kid may use that like high current) while the eneloops would be good for just the random battery toys or low drain devices like a remote.

For C and D's
Darn, not much testing. Looks like a lot of anecdotal evidence. CTA was tested compared to powerex and was declared winner. Although there are some statements out there complaining about CTA and what they claim vs actually get (I think it was for their D's)

Some folks were looking at batteries like Tenergy. Haven't seen much positive or negative that would make me want to take a chance on them even though they are cheaper plus I don't think I am comfortable with the pay for review they get.

Do's and don'ts of charging NiMH
I have only glanced at this area and will take a look this weekend.

That about does it.

On a side note, we keep an emergency flashlight (just a department store cheapo) in each of our cars plus a couple around the house for an emergency. I saw the hand crank models but from my couple of looks around the forums the hand cranks or no good because the non replaceable batteries in them die. So, with no eneloop C's or D's yet does that mean I stick with alkaline in those?

 

[Dantor]

Congrats on the new baby coming! (tips hat)
You seem off to a good start, again congrats on your homework A lot of people here with tons of tips and idea's.

I've been going slow too, researching, asking questions for the best products for my needs. Your on your way to spending hundreds and hundreds of diaper bucks so you might as well start good! (and you are)

I've been reading many good things about Maha and Eneloop, you won't go wrong there I'm sure. Get a good flashlight, so many out there (I'm sure you've read). I have a crank light (that's worked great for over 2 years now), and a shake, and AA, AAA, and NiMH; point is I like em all, for all my needs and uses (and I'm a light nut!). They all work fine for me, if you like em get em.

Welcome to the forum and good luck

 

[VidPro]

i havent yet met a 9volt rechargable that works for crud, the package is to small, the cells in it are to small, and the capacities are soo poor.
mabey someday, like the newest li-ion one had promise , till i tried it.

anybody else use 9V rechargables? which ones and for what item do you use them in?


Hey the biggest battery kids need is the human battery, it runs for about 80 years off of food scraps , self recharges , and other than the waste problem is rather efficent little battery and entertainment, learning device all wrapped into one package.
its warm, ages well, has little self discharge, and charges overnight, only fails every once in a while and is usually self correcting. it rarely blows its top, or runs out of juice, runs good at room temperatures, has internal voltage sencors connected to a main processor, and various thermostatic balancing systems, plus a wide array of sencors to determine its surroundings and needs. it has a macro processor that runs circles around Infolithium, and a self cleaning mechanism for its electrolytes. The metals in it arent dangerous to other humans, and the acid is self contained.
everything else can only satasfy a kid for about 5 minutes at a time.