Watch Out!! ZR-6 AAs

[vcal]

In the U.S.:
Wandering thru the 99 cent store here in So Cal., in the battery display rack:

4-packs of "Digital Camera" Panasonic ZR-6s -for, yup.....99 cents each! These are the same 4-packs that sell for 4-$7.00 anywhere else.
-I grabbed the last two packs they had and left with 8 high performance alkalines (exp-2008)-for only $1.98+ tax. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

When I checked each battery at home, they did each measure at 1.71 volts+.
Just two of these AAs will DD my Luxeon TVOJ very nicely for many hours. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[tvodrd]

Doug,

Thanks for the tip! Harbor BL store in Costa Mesa had abt 50 packs and I scored a dozen. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif (Mine are exp 2007.)

Larry

 

[RussH]

Note that current production alkalines have an "expiration" (actually 'best by'?) date of 2011. So those cheap batteries won't have as long a shelf life and likely already have a somewhat reduced capacity (depending on past storage conditions). It's not a bad deal but just so you know.............

 

[vcal]

[ QUOTE ]
RussH said: Note that current production alkalines have an "expiration" (actually 'best by'?) date of 2011. So those cheap batteries won't have as long a shelf life and likely already have a somewhat reduced capacity (depending on past storage conditions). It's not a bad deal but just so you know.............

[/ QUOTE ]I have checked with various dealers...and found out all of the new oxy/alkaline cells have a 4 year exp. date. Was told that they are very fresh, buy another retailer that knows the production codes.

 

[RussH]

I'm not sure just what you mean by oxy/alkaline (haven't they been using MnO2?). But the AAs I recently bought are clearly labeled 2011. That's 7 years. It is true that they used to use 4 years - I'm not sure what the change means. It may be that they went from rating them at 80% capacity after 4 years to rating them down to 50% capacity after 7 years. I think they made this change about 3 or more years ago....

 

[evan9162]

Russ,

Oxy/alkaline are new, high-power disposable cells being made by Panasonic and Kodak. They are supposed to deliver higher power better than traditional alkaline cell chemistry. They typically have a fresh cell voltage of 1.7V/cell.

The ones I have seen also look like the batteries are sealed within a plastic wrapper. I wonder how well these cells would do once opened and exposed to air - is their 4 year shelf life the rating while still sealed, or once opened and in a device?

 

[vcal]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

[ QUOTE ]
RussH said:
I'm not sure just what you mean by oxy/alkaline (haven't they been using MnO2?). But the AAs I recently bought are clearly labeled 2011. That's 7 years. It is true that they used to use 4 years - I'm not sure what the change means. It may be that they went from rating them at 80% capacity after 4 years to rating them down to 50% capacity after 7 years. I think they made this change about 3 or more years ago....

[/ QUOTE ]
I did a post awhile back on this new formulation..a search might turn it up.

-Basically, this new cell, while technically an alkaline, has a significant improvement in inner construction that produces a much improved internal resistance. This technology works 50% better under load than the Duracell "Ultra" or the Eveready "E²" extra cost alkalines.

Brief background:
Two years ago the Israelis found a way to economically oxygenate the inner conductive sleeves inside the cell, and also use a better grade of manganese..they claim. BTW- the overall capacity in mAh is no better than standard alkalines, and the discharge curve is not as flat as Lithium L91 AA.

Bottom line: they deliver LOTS of juice at much higher loads--like Nicd/NiMH.
The disadvantage is the shorter shelf life. (4 years vs. 7 years). That's why they call 'em digital cam batteries -because even Duracell Ultras are somewhat weak when it comes to using them in digital cameras . See Battery Shootout.

 

[H00D]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

Thanks for the tip vcal, I picked up 5 packs today at the Pico Rivera (So Cal)store...mine are marked 2007..

Thanks

 

[vcal]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

[ QUOTE ]
H00D said:
Thanks for the tip vcal, I picked up 5 packs today at the Pico Rivera (So Cal)store...mine are marked 2007..

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]
If you got those 4-packs @ 99c each, -almost like shoplifting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

p.s.-a word of caution.......
Be wary of putting those cells in multi-cell flashlights, because at 1.7 volts each, you can instantly flash the standard bulb. (as in Ka-blooey!) -time for a new bulb. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[RussH]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

Hey Doug & Evan, thanks for the info. I'll have to look for some of those. -RussH

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

I would not use those with the Versalux PR-2 LED bulb, due to the lower internal resistance, not to mention higher no-load voltage. It would overheat and destroy the Versalux (same I presume for MagmaLED).

 

[milkyspit]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

How are these ZR-6 AA's supposed to do with warmer and cooler temperatures? I've been using the lithium AA's in lights that get a lot of outdoor use, mainly because alkalines perform VERY poorly in cold weather use. I learned that the hard way. Is there any reason to believe the ZR-6 would do better in the cold, or would they be about as poor as regular alkalines for that application?

Also, not to take up much of the thread on this, but would someone with access to the 99 cent four packs of these cells care to buy several packs on my behalf and mail them to me? I haven't seen that kind of deal around here, and would like to get some ZR-6 cells to play with. Didn't mean to take up the thread with this, really, so please PM me rather than posting here if you can help. Thanks guys...

 

[vcal]

Re: Look For.. ZR-6 AAs

The ZR-6 in cold weather has similar characteristics to the regular alkaline. Your Lithiums are better, in that respect.