When do rechargeables make sense-low or high use?

[Malpaso]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to start using rechargeables, and it seems to me that a low use situation does not warrant their use. Here's what I have, and how often I change batteries:

Pelican 2xC in my truck - average changing the batteries once per year.

Mag 5xD next to the bed - can't remember the last time I changed them, probably 2+ years.

2x123 - G2(EDC), A2(EDC) and knockoff - changed the G2 batteries once, the A2 is fairly new, and the knockoff just sits.

Mag 2xAA with led mod - just did the mod, averaged changing batteries once per year before that.

Mag 2xAA in my bike toolkit - usually notice that they're dead when I take it out to use, but have an EDC as backup.

4xAA Rayovac camp light that rarely gets used, never changed the batteries.

Other than the environmental aspect of using rechargeables, I don't really see a benefit to switching.

 

[bagman]

Malpaso - from how often you change the batteries I dont see it making much sense changing to rechargeables. I only use them in my work lights, all the other miriad of torches round the house/car run on standard batteries.

 

[nerdgineer]

Rechargeables are useful mostly for high use. Seems like none of your lights are a candidate for nimh rechargeables as you don't use them a lot and nihms lose something like 1% of their charge per day (or maybe half or so per month).

Sounds more like you're more a candidate for lithiums as they have a long shelf life. You might look at the current sale on lithium AA's here as that's an excellent price.

I don't know about rechargeable lithiums, but they seem to me like a lot of trouble for someone who doesn't use their lights a lot.

 

[Topper]

Malpaso, I hope you check the alkalines every month or so even if you do not change them. I lost a mid-range light due to a cell leak I did not catch in time. Pull the cells out of the lights that see little use you can keep cells by them so your still good to go in short order I found it very upsetting when I lost one due to acid leak. Just my thoughts on the matter.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Malpaso]

[ QUOTE ]
Topper said:
Malpaso, I hope you check the alkalines every month or so even if you do not change them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, thanks for the reminder, I try to do that regularly, but I probably need a set schedule, like checking the smoke detectors.

 

[bagman]

Good point Topper, I've lost 2 x D cell mags this way, although the battery manufacturer has always replaced them

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Malpaso,

Doesn't it ever get dark where you live? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You need to get out and use your lights more often...

Tom

 

[Malpaso]

[ QUOTE ]
SilverFox said:
You need to get out and use your lights more often...
Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

It always seem like I'm the one doing the work while someone else holds their flashlight /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AW]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hahaha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

 

[Zigzago]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

Rechargeables are hard to justify on a $$ basis for an infrequent user, but it's nice to always have fully charged batteries in your lights so you don't have put up with dim output or feel bad about throwing away batteries that are still useable.

It also helps to have other devices that can use the rechargeables. I recently picked up a cordless screwdriver and cordless drill that run on AA batteries. IBO products

 

[Topper]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

I admit my usage grew at least 200% when I switched most lights over to Pila's it started slow and innocent then grew abit, my M6 is still a problem however JS is working on that.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[greenLED]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

Ditto here, I use my lights more often now that I have a whole bunch of rechargeables. That, and once you start playing with some of the high-current lights around here, you can't really use alkies anymore.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

Rechargeables encourage you to play with your lights more for sure. My advice is unless you go through a set of batteries in less than a month and at least 4 sets a year in a light rechargeables probably won't be worth it. I typically have alkalines in lights I use occasionally but don't use up the batteries but once a year and when I know I will need to use the light a lot I put in nimh cells to use then put new alkalines back in the light when I am done, taking the old ones and using them in a frequent high usage light to use them up. I have made it a habit to not leave batteries in lights I rarely use, but rather leave batteries near them so I can put them in when needed. It doesn't take long to put batteries in a light compared to cleaning up leaking cells when you forget them. I have a couple of cheap 2D lights scattered around the house that will get me to where I keep the nicer lights when needed.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

Great for high use, I use them all the time.

 

[Steve C]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

The big problem with rechargeables is that when they die, they're dead for a while. For around the house, this usually isn't a big deal. In my job, it can be; which is why I rely on 123-powered lights for that.

But I recently purchased some rechargeable NiMH AAs and a cheap charger at Wally World. My MM/Opa-Lec gets used daily on my workbench, putzing around, etc. My wife's camera (which I use more than she does) uses two NiMH AAs. When the camera batteries are down, I stick them in the charger and put the two that were in the light in the camera. By rotating two pairs of 2250 mAh batteries between these two devices, I get power when I need it without over-charging the batteries. I'm contemplating buying some more cells and a better charger; but then I think, why? This inexpensive rig is working fine, and cost me a whopping $21 total.

Its all compromise, Malpaso, like most things in life. You can basically steal good batteries and chargers from several on-line sources; I saw one the other day that offered a dozen 2300 mAh AAs and a charger- with car adapter- for $27. My brother uses these specific products and gives them high marks... that's good enough for me.

But keep in mind this is strictly for general-purpose use. The lights I bet my *** on are high-dollar items that use 123 batteries.

But invest in a lot of expensive batteries and chargers? I don't think you would benefit economically from that.

 

[Phaserburn]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

To me, using rechargeables isn't solely about the amount of use a light gets. It's about performance, in many cases. Rechargeables can supply current for longer, with a much better voltage maintenance in discharge, than alks can. And the biggest difference: they can supply ALOT more current! Incan mods, superbulbs, small super-bright led mods, etc, all depend on rechargeables for their extraordinary potential.

The other reason for me to use rechargeables: I like knowing all the lights I have with me when I leave the house are at 100% full power and ready to go. I actually stash some primary cells in my workbag and glove compartment as backups should I need extended runtime unexpectedly.

 

[fivebyfive]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

In your case, you should stick with what you currently have. It seems that you don't use your flashlights all that often. If you started using rechargeables you would probably end up charging it up everytime you wanted to use it because you use it so infrequently.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

As has been mentioned, NiMH are good for frequent use or in lights that laugh at Alkys.

My EDC 3W LED Minim*g has NiMH. I charge them perhaps once a month. I run my Garmin Etrex Legend GPSr on NiMH and run the heck out of it! I carry 8 freshly charged NiMh cells with the Legend. And my current meager superbulb light collection runs NiMH, as I can't afford to order 123s all the time, and Alkaline cells don't keep a superbulb bright for any time.

From what you described, you don't need NiMH. But you could notice a change in usage patterns if you get a handfull to try!

 

[Polar_Hops]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

I'd have to say that NiMH do not make sense, but they get made sense of, if you know what i mean. If you have NiMH, you will use your lights a LOT more. I use NiMH, and use my flashlights about 3-4 hours a day. It depends if i'm using my scorpion (pila) or my longbow eco. Recently, my scorpion has scorched it's plastic bulb holder, and as a result, starts flickering.

So i'm using my NiMH longbow Eco a LOT more, and almost NEVER using my scorpion. It's just a matter of time now, though. How long will it be before i find a nice, nonflickering 123 based light? (i also have r123s, but i have not used them for a long time)

 

[BobVA]

Re: When do rechargeables make sense-low or high u

Sounds like a set of lithium (non-rechargeables) would be a good investment for your bike tool kit light. Then you can just forget about it for a few years.

I put set of lithium AA's in the rear blinker on my GF's bike about three years ago and they still work fine, despite use at least a couple of times a week.

Cheers,
Bob