Which eneloop?

[nolaradio]

I just got in one of these LaCross BC-700 chargers. The price I got it at was too good to pass up. I didn't have the time to check out batteries at the time I ordered the charger. I am looking to hopefully use some "AA" batteries in my ham radio walkie-talkie and also in my flashlights. I just got a Maglite XL200 and a Fenix E21.
I'd like to have batteries that could sit in each piece of equipment for months at a time and still have a decent amount of power to serve me. The batteries for the ham radio would most likely sit in around waiting to be placed into service. I already have battery packs for the radio that are to be the main power source. The "AA" cells would just be for backup for those times that I need more talk time.
So what would you experienced used recommend I purchase? So far I've been eyeing these here. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

 

[oKtosiTe]

Regular 3rd gen Eneloops. Provided there is no standby drain they will store for up to several years without any trouble.
The BC-700 charger should always be set to 700mA for Eneloops (both AA and AAA) to avoid missed terminations. Memory effect is not an issue, so you can generally charge as needed, although I generally wait until the cells are down to at least 1.25V before topping them off.
I believe you should be able to find a better price for a four-pack of Eneloops. Also, those are 2nd generation Eneloops. While there's nothing wrong with those, I would like to bring the 3rd generation to your attention, which is rated for 1800 cycles. We're now transitioning to the fourth gen (Panasonic eneloops), which is rated for 2100 cycles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop

My own Eneloops still measure around 2030mAh at 350mA discharge after a full year of regular use.

 

[N8N]

+1 on plain old Eneloops.

If you think you need more capacity for whatever reason, Maha Imedion AAs are available at Thomas Distributing for about the same price, although there have been mixed reviews on them. They've been working fine for me, but some have reported loss of capacity and increased self discharge after only a couple cycles. For the premium of Eneloop XXs, I'd as soon just buy another set of Eneloops.

 

[markr6]

Yeah, I purchased my first and last pack of Eneloop XX. They're fine, but I'm not getting anything extra out of them really. If I was worried about extra runtime, I doubt it would be measured in a few minutes; I would instead be carrying another 1 or 2 batteries.

 

[tatasal]

+1 on plain old Eneloops.

If you think you need more capacity for whatever reason, Maha Imedion AAs are available at Thomas Distributing for about the same price, although there have been mixed reviews on them. They've been working fine for me, but some have reported loss of capacity and increased self discharge after only a couple cycles. For the premium of Eneloop XXs, I'd as soon just buy another set of Eneloops.

+ 1

I have both, the 2400mah Imedion AA and 8500mah D, and the 2000mah AA Eneloops. Right out of the box, the Imedions have up to 150mah difference among each other while the Eneloops are all within 30mah. After about the 4 cycles, the Imedions are getting worse. Go with the Eneloops. Their excellent reputation is much-deserved.

 

[nolaradio]

Thanks for all the comments. I still haven't had time to really start shopping for some cells yet. I am leaning towards buying some of the 3rd generation Eneloops.. Other than the model number, is there an easy way to spot a 3rd generation cell? Also, does Amazon generally have the best prices on the Eneloops or is there some other retailer that you guys would suggest? Thanks again.

 

[N8N]

I found some cheaper from eBay seller '1111deals' and the cells I got appear to be genuine.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 4

 

[nolaradio]

I found some cheaper from eBay seller '1111deals' and the cells I got appear to be genuine.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 4

Were those the 3rd generation?

 

[N8N]

Were those the 3rd generation?

yes, unlike the ones I'd purchased earlier from Amazon. the exact item that I purchased was item no. 180717206946. I'd have to pull receipts and compare, but I believe that this may be the same "mybatterysupplier" that sells on Amazon but the eBay BIN prices are cheaper.

 

[nolaradio]

Thanks. Gonna try to check it out in between doing actual work while at work today.

 

[oKtosiTe]

is there an easy way to spot a 3rd generation cell?

They should show that they're rated for 1800 cycles.
This question is answered more extensively on Sanyo's website.

All original SANYO battery packages containing the improved eneloop have the information "Up to 1800 times" on the front. Also you can differentiate the two generations by checking the model name which is written on each eneloop. The "old" cells have written HR-3UTGA (AA) and HR-4UTGA (AAA) on them, the improved eneloop instead HR-3UTGB (AA) and HR-4UTGB (AAA). Also the crown symbol on the batteries itself is different: The new crown symbol has an additional line.

 

[nolaradio]

They should show that they're rated for 1800 cycles.
This question is answered more extensively here.

Thanks for the answer and the link!

 

[N8N]

BTW be careful if you follow my advice about ordering from that ebay seller. they have the new version but apparently the auction number that I posted has been edited since I purchased the cells and now appears to be Gen2 loops. Go to their store and search for "eneloop 1800" and you'll find auctions for presumably Gen3 loops however.

 

[nolaradio]

BTW be careful if you follow my advice about ordering from that ebay seller. they have the new version but apparently the auction number that I posted has been edited since I purchased the cells and now appears to be Gen2 loops. Go to their store and search for "eneloop 1800" and you'll find auctions for presumably Gen3 loops however.

I noticed that when I searched for the auction number. But I browsed through the other items they had up for sale. Had to get back to work so I couldn't look too long. I have a three day weekend starting tomorrow so hopefully I will get something ordered soon. Thanks again.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Were those the 3rd generation?

Right now, he's specifying 1800 cycles for the AAA Eneloops only.

I did a few purchases with 1111deals back in early 2012 for various Eneloops and GP ReCyKos and everything was kosher. I bought in January/February of 2012 and my Eneloops had 9-2011 date codes, so they were pretty fresh, production wise.

Up until a couple of months back, 12 (3x4 packs) AA Gen 2s were $29.91 shipped, which he still offers.

For most of what I'm doing, I'm content with Gen 2s and don't think that I'd pay a premium for the Gen 3s at the moment. I might for the XX/Pros, but not for the Gen 3s.

Chris

 

[N8N]

They have some AAs as well, you have to search within description to find them though. I agree it doesn't seem to make that much difference; I'm using a mix of 2nd gen, 3rd gen, and Duraloops (2nd gen?) And they all seem good.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk 4

 

[nolaradio]

Still haven't found time to place the order but at least I have decided on what I plan to order thanks to all the comments and information you guys have given me here in this thread. Just trying to find the best prices now.

Next question...

What brand do you guys suggest for a CR123 battery? I have a Terralux TT-1 ordered that requires one. I've never had any experience with the CR123 cells. Thoughts....

 

[N8N]

For CR123s I'm still learning those myself. For primaries I'd be tempted to just stick to the brands that Surefire and/or Streamlight recommend (Panasonic, Duracell, and Energizer are specifically recommended by both; each also recommends their own brand, Streamlight also recommends Sanyo) of all those Surefire bought at your local gun shop is probably cheapest, unless you have a good camera store more conveniently located to you. I probably wouldn't try to save a few bucks given the energy density (= ability to turn your light into a pipe bomb) of lithium cells. A single cell light is relatively safe, comparatively, but again, not worth the risk... you should be able to get Surefire cells for <$2 apiece, we're not talking a lot of money here.

If you want to use a rechargeable, I'd try to look for a review of your particular light; I just tried to look it up on Terralux's web site and they don't specifically allow or prohibit RCR123As but RCR123As do have a significantly higher voltage (4.2V fully charged/3.6V nominal) than primary CR123As so it's not necessarily a drop in replacement. I am using AW protected RCR123As in one light just because they're consistently a high quality brand, but after reading some it appears that the EagleTac RCR123As have higher capacity. A lower capacity but safer (but not necessarily 100% safe, still higher voltage than primaries) option would be LFP (LiFePO4) cells as sold by Surefire/K2 Energy.

Check out HKJ's web site for info overload on Li-Ions: http://lygte-info.dk/

 

[Replicant]

They should show that they're rated for 1800 cycles.
This question is answered more extensively on Sanyo's website.

I just picked up a combo pack from Costco that had 8 AAs, 4 AAAs, and a charger. On the packaging it says it's rated for 1800 cycles, but the batteries themselves are HR-3UTGA and HR-4UTGA. I assume they're second generation, but the packaging conflicts with the eneloop site.

 

[oKtosiTe]

I just picked up a combo pack from Costco that had 8 AAs, 4 AAAs, and a charger. On the packaging it says it's rated for 1800 cycles, but the batteries themselves are HR-3UTGA and HR-4UTGA. I assume they're second generation, but the packaging conflicts with the eneloop site.

That's odd, but I would definitely trust the labeling on the battery over the packaging. Hope it's incidental.