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Question about rechargeable batteries
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Jun 22, 2022 10:41:30   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
You have to check your charger. Some poor chargers only charge batteries to the lowest capacity of the maximum capacity of the lowest batter 'in the bunch'. A good charger will charge batteries to the maximum capacity of all the batteries. I've used a Powerex charger for years. It offers several options for charging. It was pricey, if memory serves, about $70, but well worth it.

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Jun 22, 2022 10:47:22   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
I have been using Eneloop batteries for more than a decade and they perform well. They still hold a charge for months after all that time.

If your charger came with your batteries, toss it.

One thing I discovered early is that the cheap chargers will charge batteries in pairs. In series. When one of the batteries is charged, the voltage goes up and that turns off the charger. The other battery in the pair being charged may not have a full charge, and that will affect the utility of the set. This was a real problem for me because I could not charge one battery. The cheap charger would do two or four, and my speedlight used five. A good charger will charge your batteries individually so that they all get a complete charge.

Eneloop batteries are not expensive compared to cheaper brands, particularly when you consider that they have a good lifetime. OTOH, the good chargers will set you back significantly more than a cheap one. But it's worth it.

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Jun 22, 2022 11:09:35   #
rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines
 
DirtFarmer wrote:
I have been using Eneloop batteries for more than a decade and they perform well. They still hold a charge for months after all that time.

If your charger came with your batteries, toss it.

One thing I discovered early is that the cheap chargers will charge batteries in pairs. In series. When one of the batteries is charged, the voltage goes up and that turns off the charger. The other battery in the pair being charged may not have a full charge, and that will affect the utility of the set. This was a real problem for me because I could not charge one battery. The cheap charger would do two or four, and my speedlight used five. A good charger will charge your batteries individually so that they all get a complete charge.

Eneloop batteries are not expensive compared to cheaper brands, particularly when you consider that they have a good lifetime. OTOH, the good chargers will set you back significantly more than a cheap one. But it's worth it.
I have been using Eneloop batteries for more than ... (show quote)



My charger came with EBL batteries - separate cost, of course. It charges from one to four batteries, AA or AAA (can be mixed) ----- each one controlled separately!!! - and works quite well. I've charged other than EBL batteries on it, as well.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

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Jun 22, 2022 11:31:59   #
one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY
 
Jack47 wrote:
I have been using EBL batteries for awhile but I’m a little disappointed in the time that they hold a charge and the time it takes to charge them. I have 8 in the charger right now and they have been there for almost 8 hours. They probably only have about 12 charges on them. What are you using and do you have good or bad things to say? Appreciate all feedback.


I have loads of rechargeable batteries (160 AAA & 50 AA). I have a lot of motion sensor lights, flashlights etc. Eneloops are the most consistent (conservatively rated) but I've had good luck w/ EBL which have a larger mAh capacity. They both are lsd (low self discharge) batteries which can hold 85+% charge for over a year. You need a smart charger to really understand how your batteries are performing, I have 3 OPUS chargers. I can select from different charging/discharge rates, but I typically choose a medium charging rate (600mA) which charges AAA (EBL or Eneloops) in about 1 hour. AA's take a 2-3 hours. Smart chargers can also refresh or test rechargeable batteries. I'm a bit anal so I have a spreadsheet listing all my rechargeable batteries, last charge rate/date, V, mAH, # times charged, where located/in use.

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Jun 22, 2022 11:53:56   #
PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA
 
Jack47 wrote:
I have been using EBL batteries for awhile but I’m a little disappointed in the time that they hold a charge and the time it takes to charge them. I have 8 in the charger right now and they have been there for almost 8 hours. They probably only have about 12 charges on them. What are you using and do you have good or bad things to say? Appreciate all feedback.


I still have and use four Eneloop rechargeable batteries that I received used when I bought a used DSLR around 10 years ago. I charge them, and my other Eneloops, in a Ray-0-Vac charger. I have three of the chargers in different places, home, car and camera bag. I've had no problems with any of the batteries or chargers. The batteries will lose charge slowly if not used, but the voltage drop seems negligible to me (haven't checked that with any accurate measures). I highly recommend Eneloop batteries, AA and AAA sizes.

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Jun 22, 2022 14:02:36   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
I have been quite satisfied with the AA and AAA batteries I use. They are NiMH. The brands I use are Nuon and Amazon. I use a Nuon charger that has 4 slots that each handle a AA or AAA. The Nuon products were purchased at a Batteries Plus near me.

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Jun 22, 2022 14:40:54   #
WaterBabe Loc: Utah
 
Another vote for Eneloop. I’ve used them for years for everything requiring batteries and have had to toss one.

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Jun 22, 2022 14:49:15   #
HatsuoHiga Loc: Hawaii
 
I bought a set of Eneloops of AA and AAA with a charger from Costco over 20 years ago, and they still works as brand new.

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Jun 22, 2022 15:37:29   #
petrochemist Loc: UK
 
My first DSLR took AA batteries, and I found cheap rechargables work OK with it, till I let my kids use the batteries in their consoles. The batteries tended to die rapidly after that & the camera no longer likes rechargables. This was one of the reasons I upgraded to a newer DSLR. All my subsequent cameras have Lithium Ion batteries, I wish my flash guns did too!

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Jun 22, 2022 15:54:43   #
jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA
 
uhaas2009 wrote:


I totally agree about the Ikea Ladda and Eneloops. I use a lot of them and have more Laddas than Eneloops, mainly because of price and the fact they are both made by Fujitsu out of the same factory and have similar test results.

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Jun 22, 2022 16:45:18   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Jack47 wrote:
I have been using EBL batteries for awhile but I’m a little disappointed in the time that they hold a charge and the time it takes to charge them. I have 8 in the charger right now and they have been there for almost 8 hours. They probably only have about 12 charges on them. What are you using and do you have good or bad things to say? Appreciate all feedback.


One word, Eneloop.

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Jun 22, 2022 17:03:44   #
Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia
 
yep, Eneloop here too. Try them you will never go back.

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Jun 22, 2022 18:39:23   #
Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.
 
Eneloop Pro’s are by far the best. IKEA Ladda batteries are Eneloop Pro’s, just rebadged, and at 1/3 the price of Eneloops. They are the exact same battery. 👍



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Jun 22, 2022 20:05:28   #
johnblenko Loc: Pittsburgh
 
CTTonymm wrote:
I have had very good performance and longevity with Eneloop rechargeables. I have had only occasional red indicators on my Panasonic chargers (indicates possible failed battery), but when I recharge that individual battery, it recharges just fine - so I think maybe dirty contact on battery or some other anomaly. I think I have had only 1 or two batteries to send to recycle over ~ 6 years out of about 50-60 batteries (mostly AA and a smattering of AAA). I would first try recharging only 4 at a time and then checking recharge on single batteries if you get an error indicator. And it might be worth getting a new/other recharging device (recommend the brand for your batteries) - it could be a defective or unworthy charger ?
I have had very good performance and longevity wit... (show quote)


I use Eneloop and have had good results. Could be a bad battery or a bad charger slot. It’ll take some effort but if you can run down all your batteries you can try different batteries and different slots, or just spring for new batteries and a charger. Sometimes batteries die, well just because.

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Jun 22, 2022 20:43:12   #
delder Loc: Maryland
 
It should be noted that AA rechargeable cells in most chemistries are limited to 1.2/1.25 VDC output.
A FRESH Alkaline Cell will read 1.6 VDC open circuit.
Much equipment will not achieve optimal performance @ the reduced voltage.

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