Comments on: The Highest Capacity Rechargeable AA Batteries

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:48:58 +0000

The bigger issue is charging the cells to full capacity. I use the excellent La Crosse conditioner. In regular charge mode, the 2500-2700mAh cells I have charge to 700-1400mAh. In discharge/recharge mode, the cells charge to near capacity.

By: melodeonman

melodeonman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:01:47 +0000

Although the “nominal” voltage is higher for alkaline and zinc batteries (1.5) than for NiMH and NiCd (1.2) the actual voltage varies through the discharge cycle and batteries (all these types) are generally counted as fully discharged with a remaining voltage of 1V. Look at the discharge curves and you will see this means NiMH will work just as well if not better in most applications.

By: lschaaf

lschaaf — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:58:56 +0000

Most modern electronics will specify 1.5v Alkaline or Nickel, or 1.2v Ni-MH or Ni-CD, so shouldn’t be an issue if you’re using something in the last few years.

As for the extra mAh worth the price, it’s what you need the batteries for. If you are a professional or aspiring photographer, the extra power in your flash will make a huge difference in your flash recycle time. Definitely worth it. If it’s for a portable alarm clock, or even wii remotes, you’ll be fine with regular rechargeables, like the Energizer, or even the hybrids, which slow drain for those items only used occasionally.

By: Jeff Johnson

Jeff Johnson — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:52:59 +0000

Becareful about some rechargeables. They can be found in 1.2v rather than 1.5v ( you may nee to check ) and for some devices that need a solid 5v to run – 4 AA batteries at 1.5v is fine where 4 batteries at 1.2v will distress the interal powering or not work at all.

By: KJH

KJH — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:20:53 +0000

Sure it’s quite a bit of extra charge, but the big question is whether it’s worth the much higher price? For example (all prices are approximate from Amazon.com),

Energizer 2500mAh: ~$20.50/8 => $2.56/battery
Delkin 2900mAh: ~$17/4 => $4.25/battery
Ansmann 2850mAh: ~$31/4 => $7.75/battery

Will I really get 3x the usage out of an Ansmann or even 2x out of the Delkins? If not, then sticking with the Energizer 2500mAh cells is the way to go.

Just my $0.02!

By: EfficiencySeeker

EfficiencySeeker — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:32:08 +0000

As always, this is another great article by MetaEfficient. MetaEfficient seems to be always at the top of battery techs. Here is an article I found recently about NiZn batteries on the market. The reviews for these batteries are mixed, with good use but mediocre storage life . They are supposed to be quite safe for the environment and very recyclable. http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eaton/technomix/nickel-zinc-rechargeable-batteries-good-single-use-ones

Also, something to look out for in the future: rechargeable zinc air batteries! I hope they make it to the consumer market. http://www.revolttechnology.com/