Subj : Nimh Batteries To : Ky Moffet From : Barry Martin Date : Tue Jan 14 2025 08:24:00 Hi Ky! > KM> I have not tried lithium rechargeables. > Some will output the lower 1.2v while others the full 1.5v -- those that > do will pretty much advertise the fact predominately. KM> Per all tests I've seen, Eneloop (Panasonic, made in Kansas) are KM> really the only good ones. I'll have ot keep that in mind. Around here we're generally not using rechargeables because of usage and price. The main devices using batteries are remotes and the batteries last a long time. Quite a few clocks, and those batteries also last pretty decently. So for those two examples is not cost-effective to buy anything but a decent single-use battery. Then there's Pinky, a decorative pink flamingo light (LEDs). He loves to eat batteries: I think the regular (one use) batteries lasted about a week, maybe two, it's been some time. And he gulps three at a time. Switched to some sort of lithium polymer USB-rechargeable with an advertised 1500 recharge times -- that's 30 years if recharged once a week. So far Pinky is happy. > KM> The rechargeable batteries that come with cameras are crap, in my > Probably because they're giving you the bare minimum of what they can > get away with to get your camera/device working when you buy it. KM> More that size is storage, and they're very small to fit into a KM> small camera. About one AAA if it were squashed flat. It's not easy to compact all that energy into a small space! KM> I have a clock on the wall that's supposed to take a C battery, KM> but I didn't have any, and 1.5V.... here's an AA. Still running KM> 10 years later, same alkaline battery. That's something!! C's and AA's (also D's and AAA's) all output (initially) 1.5v (approximately), just with different current capabilities. I have seen adapters so one can use a AA in place of a C. Anyway, that one AA battery of yours running the clock wouldn't be that unusual, but for ten years sure is! Five years would be a stretch! > KM> experience -- don't last at all (200 shots if you're lucky, which > KM> is nothing with a digital camera), and go flat really fast if > KM> they get even a little bit cold. Some of them are really > KM> expensive, and the aftermarket batteries are even worse crap. > Cold weather is not a battery's friend. Something to do with the > chemical reaction occurring to create the electricity but for my usages > all I have to remember is "cold = bad". For car batteries I spend the > extra money and get the battery with the biggest CCA (cold cranking > amps) that will fit. KM> Yeah, I do too. Also got a charging gatchet ?? (phonetic typing?) KM> gadget that you permanently attach to the battery to maintain it, KM> tho still need to install... don't drive the big truck often KM> enough, and even top-rated batteries don't last like they used KM> to, probably some envirowhack restriction on how they're made. KM> Should get one for the little truck too. 'Gatchet' sounds close to me! I have seen various battery maintainers -- probably a smart trickle charger in that it monitors the battery voltage and when bleeds off to a certain level will start a slow recharge cycle. As for the vehicle batteries not lasting, might (probably!) have something to do with the manufacturing materials but I read somewhere where the lifespan coverage was reduced because it was costing the manufacturers money. (Surprise!) Replacement cost was pro-rated, so for a 5-year (60 month) battery replaced the last year they're credit (a dreaded pay out!) say $20 on a $100 battery. Cut the warranty and cut those payouts! I'm also thinking the accessories in the car also shortened battery life: my car has an alarm system, so that's constanly checking to see if anyone is trying to get inside. Also has remote unlock (and lock) -- press the button on the key fob. The car has to constantly monitor for that signal. Both circuits take electricity, and that comes from the battery. No more shelf-life ratings, that battery is constantly being used. KM> This thing. KM> https://shellautomotiveproducts.com/sbc400/ KM> Better pictures: KM> https://www.homedepot.com/p/Formula-Shell-4-Amp-Battery-Charger-an KM> d-Maintainer- KM> BC400/318848963 Yup: have seen similar. The Home Depot site had a suggestion for a 10A one; the Shell one is 4A. I don't know what the differences are (other that more current capabilty), ...Well, one thing is a lower current charger will take longer to recharge a battery. You're looking to 'top off' the charge, not recharge a half-discharged battery. ...My guess, so look for the real answer! KM> Friend who rarely drives uses it on the piddly underpowered KM> battery his Hyundai uses, that dies if it sits for a couple KM> months. Batteries used to easily keep a charge for a year or even KM> two. Could be partially/mostly due to the 'monitoring' electronics (alarm, key fob, etc.) and maybe trying to fit a battery into an overcrowded engine compartment. (I know some batteries are under the seat and I think others in the trunk.) KM> Went to buy another from Amazon (it's ten bucks more everywhere KM> else) and "page not found". Same here. Typed "SBC400" into their search bar - various parts. ... Search for "Formula-Shell-4-Amp-Battery-Charger" -- comes up with two pages but none are Shell. As I glanced some look similar (one or the other rebadged?) > For more fun devices like outdoor thermometer sensors and clocks I use > lithium-based batteries. Regular batteries (yes, even the Energizers) > will stop working when it gets somewhere below freezing. The semi- > exact temperature seems to make a difference with the device: have a clock > outside and it would stop when it got into the 40's! Swapping in a > lithium - no more problems. (And yes, did try another regular battery > before the lithium,) KM> Well, the battery in my camera that I gripe about is lithium, so KM> ain't universal. Nothing ever is! KM> The crap rechargeables in the lawn lights aren't much bothered by KM> cold, tho eventually die of old age (and more, getting hot in KM> summer). Here the problem was more failure due to rust. Had some solar lights we liked, battery dies a natural death (only so many recharges) so I bought some replacements. (There are at least two or three battery styles used!) Some of the original (not yet had the battery replaced) were starting to rust/corrode -- leakage, maybe condensation. Some I could fix, some not and so parted. ...Some of those with the replaced batteries lasted another battery replacement cycle, many did not. ¯ ® ¯ BarryMartin3@MyMetronet.NET ® ¯ ® .... Lasagna is spaghetti-flavoured cake. --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com (454:1/1) .