Best batteries to buy............

[Ponce]

AAs are still the most widely sold battery type, used in many toys, radios, flashlights, and remote controls, and in some digital cameras, though more of those are using tiny rechargeables. We tested nonrechargeable lithium, nickel oxhydroxide, and alkaline types.

The longest-lasting was Energizer Advanced lithium. It took 809 photos before dying; the quickest to die, Walgreens Supercell alkaline, took just 133.

Take manufacturer claims with a grain of salt. Duracell Ultra PowerPix, for example, lasted for 174 shots, which is indeed "up to 200 photos," as claimed—but any number under 200 meets that boast.

Rechargeable batteries are a greener choice than any of the tested types. In past tests, precharged rechargeables from the major manufacturers provided about 300 shots out of the box and about 400 shots on their subsequent charge.

If your town doesn't provide a way to recycle non-rechargeable batteries, it's OK to toss them in the trash. To find out where to recycle rechargeables, go to www.call2recycle.org.

Bottom line

Lithium batteries took more photos than the other types, so they don't need to be changed as often. The best performer, Energizer Advanced, costs $5.40 per pair but just 33 cents per 50 shots. The top alkaline battery, Duracell Ultra Advanced, costs $3.65 per pair but ends up costing 70 cents per 50 shots. Use lithiums in high-drain devices such as cameras and alkalines in low-drain devices such as remote controls. For toys that are used a lot, consider high-capacity rechargeables (2,350 milliamp-hours or more).

[mightymanx]

Rechargables have come a long way. and solar chargers are cheap as hell.

for my SHTF high battery usage things like headlamps and radios I use dynamo led stuff it lasts suprising long and you don't have to worry about batteries going bad sitting in a bug out bag.

[platinumdude]

Rechargables have come a long way. and solar chargers are cheap as hell.

for my SHTF high battery usage things like headlamps and radios I use dynamo led stuff it lasts suprising long and you don't have to worry about batteries going bad sitting in a bug out bag.


Where is the charge held, in capacitors? Do you know if other brand windups use rechargeable batteries instead?

[mightymanx]

Where is the charge held, in capacitors? Do you know if other brand windups use rechargeable batteries instead?

Part capaciter and part litum ion battery. nice thing about LED is it takes squat to run I get 30 minutes of light for about 30 seconds of cranking

The only down side is cranking is not ninja tacticool quiet.

I got headlamps for 6 bucks each at deal extrem

dollar has fallen some since I bought a dozen
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/3-led-dynamo-battery-free-headlamp-3526

[Ponce]

I just ordered 8 AA rechargable batteries with 3600 whatchamacallit for $17.00 and 12 AAA for $10.00.........I already have a bunch of them but having more is good :)

[Gaillo]

For AA rechargeables, you need look no further than Sanyo Eneloop batteries. Seriously. Voice of experience talking here... ALL of my portable equipment/lights/etc. is AA based, and NOTHING comes even close to the mighty EL.

For non-rechargeable cells, I agree 100% - Energizer Lithium is the way and the light! :)

[Ponce]

Already have a bunch of them but I am saving those for a special occasion, to expensive to play around with.

[Kali]

I buy Duracell at Costco when on sale...got enough to power a small city.

[Dogman]

For AA rechargeables, you need look no further than Sanyo Eneloop batteries. Seriously. Voice of experience talking here... ALL of my portable equipment/lights/etc. is AA based, and NOTHING comes even close to the mighty EL.

For non-rechargeable cells, I agree 100% - Energizer Lithium is the way and the light! :) Eneloop are the best, have tried all kind of rechargeable battery's over the years and Eneloop are the absolute best! I even use them in my D-cell mag light (non led) using the inserts/adapters.

Swapping over too them is not cheap, but in the long run very worth it, so far I have almost have payed off the cost of going with them. The only thing to do it right is to use a good Ni-MH charger, and they are not cheap, but they are worth every penny. To cycle the battery's correctly.

Very hard too beat 2500ma (2.5 amps) per battery.

Good stuff.

Edit: La cross makes some very good Ni-MH chargers mine is the BC-700, good for Nicad and Ni-MH. aa/aaa

[Dogman]

Already have a bunch of them but I am saving those for a special occasion, to expensive to play around with. If you are talking about Eneloop's yes expensive at first, but they pay for them selfs very quickly if you normally use a bunch of AA/AAA battery's.

They are like little sticks of dynamite at 2.5amps each that can be recharged at least 1500 times that have no memory problems like Ni-cad's have.

[mick silver]

whats a good online store to buy from ?

[Dogman]

whats a good online store to buy from ? Do a web search, or just type eneloop in your browser and then select shopping. Amazon is good, but sometimes you can find better prices elsewhere, but I do like amazon because they are no nonsense on how they do business. You will find 1500/2000/2500 mah ones out there. Also I can not strongly enough say that if you go this rout , buy a good charger that works with them,

These are the best rechargeable battery's I have seen over my lifetime dealing with battery's (almost forever + one day) ;D

[MNeagle]

If you're near a Costco, they carry Eneloops w/ chargers.

[ArgenteumTelum]

For good general battery info: www.batteryuniversity.com
Those wishing to use lithium ion rechargeables---read all you can. They can be dangerous but with knowledge used and recharged safely.
Also try here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php
(Scroll down to "Flashlight electronics-batteries included")
Hope this is helpful.
AT

[Ponce]

whats a good online store to buy from ?

www.BatteryJunction.com

[Half Sense]

The Kirkland brand at Costco is also very good. Consumer Reports rated them higher than the equivalent Duracell or Energizer.

[Glass]

scored 20 AA eneloops 2000mAh and a 4 slot charger for $50 delivered. 2 Days to the door. I think that's a good deal. There's a slight catch. the colours. some time with a permanent marker will be well spent. Other genders would have no worries as is. Anyway down here that's a deal so I said stuff it. get some. These are low discharge, which probably means old tech because the 2500mAh NiMH's seem to self discharge pretty quick. I certainly notice they are dead in ~2 weeks. I was charging them as I emptied them and dropping them in the ready to use pile but they be dead when I come back to use them again. So charge before you need.

Hoping these will hold charge a couple months. Says they will. Lets see.

[Twisted Titan]

+400 on the eneeloops


Amazon has these kits where a whole bunch come in a blue box with the a charger and addapters.

Its use to cost 28.00 back in the day .



They now want 45.00 and I had to go digging for it as they now are sold peice meal.



http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-SEC-N16SETEVP-eneloop-2000mAh-Position/dp/B0058N6JUE/ref=pd_sim_e_36

[Glass]

well that looks like a great deal too. good mix of types there. I'm thinking would fit my needs pretty well with the AAA's D's C's

[chad]

eneloops.

[Hitch]

+400 on the eneeloops


Amazon has these kits where a whole bunch come in a blue box with the a charger and addapters.

Its use to cost 28.00 back in the day .



They now want 45.00 and I had to go digging for it as they now are sold peice meal.



http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-SEC-N16SETEVP-eneloop-2000mAh-Position/dp/B0058N6JUE/ref=pd_sim_e_36

Same kit I've got. I would rate it as excellent. BTW, these make great Christmas gifts. Everyone loves them.

[Jewboo]

For AA rechargeables, you need look no further than Sanyo Eneloop batteries. Seriously. Voice of experience talking here... ALL of my portable equipment/lights/etc. is AA based, and NOTHING comes even close to the mighty EL.



I agree.

THIS (http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Technology-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1387472465&sr=8-6&keywords=aa+battery+charger) has been a great charger.

[mick silver]

works great also Rayovac PS3PL Smart Charger AA/AAA/C/D/9V Platinum Universal Battery Chargerhttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61X2vlo1MLL._SL1500_.jpg

[Dogman]

I agree.

THIS (http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Technology-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1387472465&sr=8-6&keywords=aa+battery+charger) has been a great charger.


Have the same one and agree with you!