Rechargable Batteries

[ray]

So I've been contemplating buying myself some rechargeable batteries but I have absolutely no idea what to look for. I mainly use AA and AAA batteries with my electronics and gaming, but I remember reading someone's post here that most rechargeable batteries don't provide enough voltage to power devices.

Are there any particular brands I should avoid and regarding the voltage bit, is there a brand that will provide enough juice to run remotes, mp3 players, etc.

[DarkFury]

Yeah, I brought up that point in the Wii Remote Battery thread... however Cheesypuff said that he has a friend that found a set of 1.5 volt rechargeable AA batteries (http://www.gotapex.com/1136926-post8.html)

Personally, I'd like to know what brand those were too. Most Lithium Ion rechargeables are 1.2 volts per AA battery and over time those seem to damage your electronics (at least that is my own personal experience with using them.)

Maybe Cheezy can ask the friend to tell him what brand those batteries were or something.

[mcs328]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/8e82/

These are interesting batteries that recharge using USB.
I've been using the Rayovac 15 minute charging variety and I like them to power my remote and wireless keyboard and mouse. The Energizer looks better and easier to find at Best Buy and the charger is more compact.

[ray]

I've been doing a bit of web surfing and found that 1.5v alkaline rechargeable batteries will provide the true 1.5v. Of course I haven't been able to find any reputable name brands that offer this.

[Napoleon54]

I've been using NiMH rechargeables for several years now in all of my AA electronics- camera, remotes, keyboard and mouse, flashlights... hell, even in my Swiffer. I've watched the capacity increase drastically. When I first bought them they only ~1200mAhr and now they're up to 2500mAhr and above. The endurance increase is very noticable, they certainly do last longer than before.

Regarding voltage: I've never had a problem with any of my devices. My newest few sets are made by Energizer (2300mAhr and 2500mAhr capacities), but I've also used older ones by Energizer, RadioShack, and some generic type that came with a charger. Never had any voltage problems with any of them.

[ray]

My newest few sets are made by Energizer (2300mAhr and 2500mAhr capacities), Never had any voltage problems with any of them.

I've read some great things about the Energizer rechargeables but I found they were 1.2v. I may give a pair of those a try to see if they work on my wireless keyboard before I buy batteries for all my other devices.

[Jeffbx]

I've been using NiMH rechargeables for several years now in all of my AA electronics- camera, remotes, keyboard and mouse, flashlights... hell, even in my Swiffer. I've watched the capacity increase drastically. When I first bought them they only ~1200mAhr and now they're up to 2500mAhr and above. The endurance increase is very noticable, they certainly do last longer than before.

Regarding voltage: I've never had a problem with any of my devices. My newest few sets are made by Energizer (2300mAhr and 2500mAhr capacities), but I've also used older ones by Energizer, RadioShack, and some generic type that came with a charger. Never had any voltage problems with any of them.

Me too. My last camera took AA rechargables & I don't have it anymore, but I still have about 20 batteries floating around. Now I use them in remotes, flashlights, kids toys - never had a problem.

[Jenny]

We just bought a set of Rayovac Hybrid rechargeables that came with a charger and 2 each of AA & AAA batteries. Haven't tried them yet though.

[Devhux]

Take note that the 1.2 voltage of NiMH cells shouldn't pose too much of a problem -- especially since alkaline batteries drop voltage like crazy once they start to deplete (hence why alkalines are a bad choice for digital cameras -- they lose too much voltage way too quickly).

NiMH batteries keep their 1.2v steady throughout most of their discharge cycle.

[PrObLy]

I've been doing a bit of web surfing and found that 1.5v alkaline rechargeable batteries will provide the true 1.5v. Of course I haven't been able to find any reputable name brands that offer this.

Back last year I got some giant yellow Power Brick thing from a Bag of Crap @ Woot and upon breaking open the brick it was filled with ~27 rechargeable Alkaline batteries.

They did indeed charge up to 1.5+ V but they were crap. After 2 or 3 charging cycles all of them were basically worthless (could power my mouse for about 12 hours). I'm not sure if this is because they were an off brand or if it's a problem with all rechargeable alkalines.