Battery question
Posted by Intrepid-Traffic4083@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 19 comments
What are you all doing with batteries? Im noticing that my collection of rechargeable AAs and AAAs isnt being used as much as it used to and my stack of non rechargeable AAs is still sealed in the pack.
Im thinking I should start swapping out some of my stuff that has non serviceable batteries for stuff that will run on the rechargeables
Polar_san_@reddit
Rechargeable batteries are not really that good for flashlights, on the other hand are really good for radios or something like that.
D3cto@reddit
So a bit late to this one, I still use a lot of NiMH cells in kids toys though I have more Lipo now as well in lanterns, torches, headlamps.
I've been capacity testing and refreshing my cells which are up to 10 years old and finding 1 in 5 are less than half of capacity. Not just some of the eneloop, but Amazon or EBL. Some will come up a little with some cycling but some are really bad. Barely hold 10%.
I am making an effort to get through them and segregate and really bad ones.
I also have some BNIB low self discharge as known good.
Last thing you need is unreliable cells in a crisis... So if you rely on rechargeables might want to make sure they are good.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
My experience with the rechargeable AA batteries in the past is that they suck in flashlights.
Now, I'll admit that this was almost 20 years ago, and a lot has changed with both the batteries and lights. But I made the mistake of putting rechargeable NiMH AAs in a Mini-Maglight. Within 10 minutes the light was too hot to hold and those two batteries wouldn't hold a charge after.
Because of that experience, I'm leaning towards USB rechargeable lights as primary lighting and standard battery-powered lights (batteries in the package) put away as a backup. Note, I have several phone-charger power banks, a large "jump box" with USB ports and a generator on the way after last week's power outage
Also, don't ignore those little solar yard-stake lights. They are great for basic safety lights in the home. I have 12 small and two bigger ones in the yard now, and 12 put away in the box to replace them when they no longer recharge. My life cal Walmarts carry the small ones in a package of six for $5.
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
If the flashlight isn't designed to run on them the voltage is the same as the last 20% on alkaline when they are fully charged. Now you can get single cell AA lights with a boost circuit that run in anything you can fit in there including lithium ion. Actually that was my first lithium ion light back in 2007, a AAA Fenix keychain light that would run on 10440 lithium ion. Still keep a similar one in my keychain.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
I agree that the technology has greatly improved. But during our latest power outage, I bought a jump starter with four USB ports, and shortly afterwards ordered a generator (arrives later this week). As such, my gear that takes alkaline/standard batteries are being assigned car/camping/backup duty, and I'm moving towards non-refundable rechargeable batteries in home gear. This is in no small part because I have had family remove standard-size rechargeable batteries from preps for use in other things. I'm also looking into multi-use items (flashlights/lanterns that can also be used as power banks for phones) and those that accept standard batteries for backup.
gadget767@reddit
The traditional, non-rechargeable AA and AAA alkaline batteries are 1.5V when new. The bulk of “rechargeable” AA and AAA batteries, such as those Energizers sold in common big box retail stores like Walmart, Sams Club, and Costco are not simply some kind of magic alkaline battery that is rechargeable. The chemistry of alkaline batteries is completely irreversible, it’s analogous to burning wood. Instead, those batteries have the same form factor as the alkaline batteries, but use a totally different chemistry, namely NiMH (nickle metal hydride) chemistry. These are only 1.2V when new, however. Some things just won’t work at this voltage, and that is also why they seem to give out faster than the alkalines. The solution to all this is to use good rechargeable lithium ion batteries in sizes AA and AAA, these are 1.5 V. Kratax is a very good brand that’s available from Amazon. Be sure to buy your first set with the associated charger for lithium batteries. They are a little expensive, but will almost certainly outlive even the youngest people reading this post! (Something like over 1000 charge cycles.)
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
It's reversible, just doesn't work well. Like lithium ion they are damaged when the voltage gets to low, and even if they aren't run down too low they can only be recharged a few times. Used to get 10-20 charges with rechargeable alkalines running them in RC cars about 25 years ago. They were made for recharging, regular ones would be more likely to leak if you recharged them, I guess no way to vent gasses that could be produced.
Round_Try_9883@reddit
Where’s the best place to buy rechargeable batteries?
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
Wherever you can get authentic Eneloop or Fujistu ones made in Japan.
SheistyPenguin@reddit
We use a mix of both. With two kids, there are no issues about them sitting idle!
Alkalines have a habit of popping if left in devices for very long periods.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
I have a bunch of the "premium" AA/AAA ones from Energizer, rechargable ones, and I have a few large packs of the cheapo ones from the dollar store for lightweight stuff or giving away to someone who needs them.
ExtraplanetJanet@reddit
Be careful with Energizer, I was helping someone change some batteries this week and they had gotten a case of like 12 boxes of premium Energizer AAs, with about six years left on the code date. Couldn’t figure out what was wrong with their label maker until we started testing the batteries we were putting in and realized an entire box of 12 had all gone dead for no reason. I have no idea what might have caused it, but the box had been sealed. It’s the sort of thing I’d expect from ultra-cheap no-names, but Energizer costs the moon.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
Contact them and let them know! Should be a batch number somewhere on the package. They may replace them. Bad batches happen with mass produced stuff, nature of the beast. I would wager that 9 times out of 10, they are going to last longer than nearly anything else of the same chemistry.
Pando5280@reddit
I use rechargeable AA and AAA batteries almost exclusively and just charge them 2 times per year to keep them topped off. Usually charge them in December and April and out of 80 or so batteries I've only had 2-3 concretely die on me over the past 10 or so years. Personally I'd use your non rechargeable batteries first and then swap them out for rechargeable after they run out.
PNWoutdoors@reddit
Most rechargeables have a lower voltage than standard batteries, something to be aware of. I use both disposable and rechargeable batteries.
CalmResilienceMedia@reddit
I’ve moved most of my gear to run on AA/AAA usb-c style rechargeables— they are a bit more expensive, but much easier to manage long-term than devices with built-in, non-replaceable batteries or even conventional rechargeable batteries. I've even used a solar charger setup (panel + USB charger) so I don't have to be tied to the grid, and I keep my sealed alkalines as backup only. Cycling your rechargeables regularly helps keep them healthy, and rotating your sealed stock (FIFO) avoids leaks or dead cells when you need them most.
nerdstim@reddit
I am currently replacing my non-rechargables to chargeable. Buy good batteries. The future will be kinder to you. I slave my burned up batteries for alternative applications, welfing, cords and stuff.
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
Anything portable, I try to buy items that take rechargable 18650 batteries because I've had good luck with their endurance. (Do NOT buy the cheap ones.) AA and AAA don't impress me. The rechargables, especially, seem to wear out quickly.
Mostly this is a lot of flashlights and headlamps, and a radio.
For stuff that doesn't move around, I have 4 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries (and a few smaller ones) that I can charge off a few solar panels. It's a temporary solution until I get a proper solar panel system installed, but it's enough to keep a chest freezer going in mostly sunny weather.
fenuxjde@reddit
I have a three year supply of batteries I keep, and I cycle through them, FIFO style. I got a little holder on Amazon for like $20 and I just use an upside down one for knowing where to take from. It's like 128AA, 96AAA, 8C and 8D batteries, plus about a dozen cr2016 and cr2032.
I also have lifepo4 batteries and a recharger for longer term use, should shtf.