Best rechargable AA for EDC light

tkoden · Jan 31, 2008

I am sure this has been asked but for some reason I can't find what I am looking for. I have seen people talking about all different kinds of rechargeables but I have no clue what people are talking about. I have a Fenix L1D and am getting tired of buying new batteries for it. I would prefer something that could charge 3 or 4 batteries at once. Also, do rechargeables have issues with being partially discharged and then recharged? Would lithium batteries be a good choice?

Thanks for the help.

nanotech17 · Jan 31, 2008

just get the Jet 1 Pro and some eneloops

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/187536

meuge · Jan 31, 2008

tkoden said:
I am sure this has been asked but for some reason I can't find what I am looking for. I have seen people talking about all different kinds of rechargeables but I have no clue what people are talking about. I have a Fenix L1D and am getting tired of buying new batteries for it. I would prefer something that could charge 3 or 4 batteries at once. Also, do rechargeables have issues with being partially discharged and then recharged? Would lithium batteries be a good choice?

Thanks for the help.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IV0REA/?tag=cpf0b6-20

$18

Charger + 4 Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. These are LSD (low self-discharge) batteries, so they only lose about 15% of their charge per year, unlike conventional NiMH.

While they are only 2000mAh, compared to Sanyo's conventional 2700mAh batteries, they still win because of their superb performance under various temperature conditions, high current capability, and low self-discharge.

alanagnostic · Jan 31, 2008

+1 on the eneloops. They're the only AA rechargeables I have.

bspofford · Jan 31, 2008

Yesterday I got an e-mail from All-Battery advertising 2300 mAh AA LSD batteries with the Tenergy label. The AAA size is reportedly 1000 mAh. Anybody know if these are overrated? The price including shipping is about $2 each. I already have Eneloop, RayOVac, and Duracell LSD 2000 mAh AA batteries, but I don't know if one is superior to the other.

LowTEC · Jan 31, 2008

eneloop :thumbsup:

tkoden · Jan 31, 2008

Are there AA lithium ion or polymer batteries that are rechargeable? If so, what do they cost and are they worth it?

TorchBoy · Jan 31, 2008

tkoden said:
Are there AA lithium ion or polymer batteries that are rechargeable?

They are AA sized but not technically AA cells because they have a higher voltage (3.7-4.2V instead of 1.2-1.5V). Your call on whether that's a good thing.

tkoden · Jan 31, 2008

Can the Fenix lights handle that kind of voltage and still operate normally?

Marduke · Jan 31, 2008

tkoden said:
Can the Fenix lights handle that kind of voltage and still operate normally?

Depends on the light

on Li-Ion cells, the L1D will loose the lower modes, and all modes will be turbo (and turbo strobe)

On 3.0v LiFePO4 cells, you get amazing brightness, and it keeps the low modes. It's essentially as bright as the L2D on turbo.

Scott_T · Feb 1, 2008

I ordered 2 8-packs of eneloops from amazon.com back before xmas for $15 each and they just now shipped them yesterday. So... they're back in stock I reckon.

tkoden · Feb 1, 2008

Marduke said:
On 3.0v LiFePO4 cells, you get amazing brightness, and it keeps the low modes. It's essentially as bright as the L2D on turbo.

So then if I was to run the LiFePO4 batteries in an L1D I would still have all the normal brightness levels? What is the disadvantage to running these batteries?

gunga · Feb 1, 2008

You get pretty low capacity on LiFEPO4 batteries.

They are not protected as well, tho their chemistry is pretty tough.

I found (on the older P2D CEs) that I only got medium/medium (not low/medium) modes until the voltage dropped a bunch (and a of course a bunch of cell capacity!). So it's not perfect. Might work better on Q5 crees (known to have higher Vf, often).

Can anyone point to a good source along with a decent charger for them?

William_H · Mar 28, 2008

meuge said:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IV0REA/?tag=cpf0b6-20

$18

Charger + 4 Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. These are LSD (low self-discharge) batteries, so they only lose about 15% of their charge per year, unlike conventional NiMH.

While they are only 2000mAh, compared to Sanyo's conventional 2700mAh batteries, they still win because of their superb performance under various temperature conditions, high current capability, and low self-discharge.

Would these be ok for general use? Remotes, digital camera, etc?

Marduke · Mar 28, 2008

William_H said:
Would these be ok for general use? Remotes, digital camera, etc?

They work wonderfully for digital cameras. They are kinda overkill for remote controls, as a set of alkalines can last for years in them.

William_H · Mar 28, 2008

Marduke said:
They work wonderfully for digital cameras. They are kinda overkill for remote controls, as a set of alkalines can last for years in them.

Ok, thanks!

lightsandknives · Mar 28, 2008

Another vote for Eneloops. I have the Rayovac Hybrids, the new Duracell LSD as well, but Eneloops are still my favs.

Not only are they in all my torches, but in my RC car radios as well!

Centropolis · Mar 28, 2008

I only have the Rayovac Hydrids. They seems fine to me. I have not compared them to anything else. THey're cheap enough for me to give them a try. They were only $8 for 4 AAs at a Canadian Walmart.

Rzr800 · Mar 28, 2008

Do some research on the Maha MC-9000 here http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9 take the advice above and you'll be set.

Best rechargable AA for EDC light

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Flashaholic

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Flashaholic

Newly Enlightened

Flashaholic

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Similar threads