RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES... ARE THEY WORTH IT?
05-29-2007, 04:40 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 1,335
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES... ARE THEY WORTH IT?
Since game cameras are getting really big, I thought this article might help on batteries:
We're going to give you a bunch of important "battery answers" right up front:
Yes, rechargeable batteries make economic sense in most cases.
Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) are the best rechargeable batteries you can get from several standpoints, including performance and low toxicity for the environment.
[ul][/ul]Although today's disposable alkaline batteries can be thrown in the trash, all rechargeable batteries should be recycled.
[ul][/ul]
But there's a little more to rechargeable batteries than that, so we hope you'll read on. We want you to get the most possible benefit from your new rechargeable batteries, and there are a few pieces of information that will help you do that.
Rechargeable batteries almost always make economic sense. The upfront cost of setting yourself up with rechargeable batteries and the charger may seem off-putting at first, especially when you realize that you'll want to have some extra batteries that can be recharging while you're running devices like your Walkman, wireless computer mouse, and battery-powered toys.
Let's walk through a cost analysis by considering the following scenario. Say you have a few different devices that use AA batteries, and you want to be able to have a total of eight batteries to power them at any given time. You also want four spares that can be charging while the other batteries are in use.
The total cost for this scenario—12 rechargeable batteries plus the charger—will be about $75.00. That may sound like a lot of up-front spending when you consider that you can buy an 8-pack of disposable AA batteries for about five bucks. But if you're like most households and it seems like every other trip to the store finds you buying another 8-pack of throw-aways, then rechargeables will definitely be the better deal.
For instance, under the scenario above, if you're now buying a five-dollar 8-pack of batteries every month, that's a yearly cost of $60. After a little more than a year, your $75 initial investment in the rechargeable setup will be paid for, and the next 10 years of battery use will be free. Over that period, you would save $600! And it will be 1,000 fewer disposable batteries going into your nearby landfill or incinerator.
If you don't use that many batteries—say a couple of 8-packs per year—you could still actually save money over the long run with rechargeables, though that would depend on the types of uses. But rechargeable batteries make the most sense for devices that get heavy to moderate use and have a high to medium current draw. These are the devices you find yourself changing batteries for at least once a month, or every couple of months at a minimum.
There are some uses where rechargeable batteries simply do not make economic sense:
low-draw devices like battery-powered wall clocks, smoke detectors, and remote controls;
devices that have long idle times (measured in months), like emergency flashlights—unless you're willing to shell out the extra dough it takes to buy lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. (More on those below.)
[ul][/ul]
There are several types of rechargeable-battery chemistries:
Nickel-Cadmium (Nicad) batteries—usually pronounced "ny-cad"—are a primary form of rechargeable battery, though they are being used less these days because of the toxicity of cadmium.
Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are probably the most common form of rechargeable now, at least in the standard consumer sizes of rechargeables. Early versions of NiMH rechargeables had problems with too-rapid discharge, but those problems have been solved in current models. Because NiMH rechargeable batteries now perform better than Nicads and are free of toxic heavy metals, Nicads are being abandoned by some manufacturers in favor of NiMHs. In any event, NiMHs are usually going to be the best all-around choice for most applications in the heavy to moderate usage range.
Rechargeable alkaline batteries are different than the "normal" alkaline batteries you buy in 4-packs and 8-packs at the store in standard "consumer sizes" like AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt. Rechargeable alkaline batteries have poorer long-term performance and recharge characteristics compared to Nicads and NiMHs, and unless you're looking for an inexpensive rechargeable battery that is ready to use right out of the package (without recharging), we suggest you avoid them. And in case you run across an ad for a device that says it can recharge normal alkaline batteries, forget it—it's a scam.
Lithium-ion batteries are very good and have excellent shelf life—i.e. their charge does not go down when they're just sitting around not being used—but they're more expensive than other types of rechargeable batteries. That means they're usually only a good choice for occasionally used emergency devices or high-drain devices like portable televisions, digital cameras, laptops, and cell phones. If you use such devices often and you have the option to buy them with a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, it's worth doing.
You should be able to get hundreds of recharging cycles out of all of these types of batteries—except alkaline rechargeables.
Recharging Tips:
- The best chargers have a microchip that monitors the charging activity, manages for "optimum trickle," and terminates the current flow at the optimum point. This type of charger may cost a little more, but it will likely extend the life of your rechargeable batteries, making the extra initial cost of the "smart charger" worth it.
- If your battery charger doesn't have such braininess, take the batteries out as soon as they're charged up.
- A typical NiMH-battery charger will also charge Nicad batteries, but the reverse is not true. (A Nicad-only charger would overcharge the NiMH batteries.)
- A solar charger is the absolute greenest choice, eliminating the cost of electricity and the pollution associated with generating it. They usually work more slowly than plug-in rechargers, but if you've bought extra rechargeable batteries, that will not be a problem.
- Use your batteries almost to the point of complete discharge, i.e. do not run them down to the point of total failure. And don't overcharge the batteries, either—especially NiMH batteries.
- Remember that you'll need to charge up your Nicad or NiMH rechargeable batteries before you use them.
- If you treat your rechargeable batteries right, you won't need to worry about diminished recharge capacity for at least 400-500 recharges. (If you're still skeptical, you can read more about the myth of the "Battery Memory Effect" at ZBattery.com.)
http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/11-23/rechargeable-batteries-battery-charger-article.htm
We're going to give you a bunch of important "battery answers" right up front:
Yes, rechargeable batteries make economic sense in most cases.
Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) are the best rechargeable batteries you can get from several standpoints, including performance and low toxicity for the environment.
[ul][/ul]Although today's disposable alkaline batteries can be thrown in the trash, all rechargeable batteries should be recycled.
[ul][/ul]
But there's a little more to rechargeable batteries than that, so we hope you'll read on. We want you to get the most possible benefit from your new rechargeable batteries, and there are a few pieces of information that will help you do that.
Rechargeable batteries almost always make economic sense. The upfront cost of setting yourself up with rechargeable batteries and the charger may seem off-putting at first, especially when you realize that you'll want to have some extra batteries that can be recharging while you're running devices like your Walkman, wireless computer mouse, and battery-powered toys.
Let's walk through a cost analysis by considering the following scenario. Say you have a few different devices that use AA batteries, and you want to be able to have a total of eight batteries to power them at any given time. You also want four spares that can be charging while the other batteries are in use.
The total cost for this scenario—12 rechargeable batteries plus the charger—will be about $75.00. That may sound like a lot of up-front spending when you consider that you can buy an 8-pack of disposable AA batteries for about five bucks. But if you're like most households and it seems like every other trip to the store finds you buying another 8-pack of throw-aways, then rechargeables will definitely be the better deal.
For instance, under the scenario above, if you're now buying a five-dollar 8-pack of batteries every month, that's a yearly cost of $60. After a little more than a year, your $75 initial investment in the rechargeable setup will be paid for, and the next 10 years of battery use will be free. Over that period, you would save $600! And it will be 1,000 fewer disposable batteries going into your nearby landfill or incinerator.
If you don't use that many batteries—say a couple of 8-packs per year—you could still actually save money over the long run with rechargeables, though that would depend on the types of uses. But rechargeable batteries make the most sense for devices that get heavy to moderate use and have a high to medium current draw. These are the devices you find yourself changing batteries for at least once a month, or every couple of months at a minimum.
There are some uses where rechargeable batteries simply do not make economic sense:
low-draw devices like battery-powered wall clocks, smoke detectors, and remote controls;
devices that have long idle times (measured in months), like emergency flashlights—unless you're willing to shell out the extra dough it takes to buy lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. (More on those below.)
[ul][/ul]
There are several types of rechargeable-battery chemistries:
Nickel-Cadmium (Nicad) batteries—usually pronounced "ny-cad"—are a primary form of rechargeable battery, though they are being used less these days because of the toxicity of cadmium.
Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are probably the most common form of rechargeable now, at least in the standard consumer sizes of rechargeables. Early versions of NiMH rechargeables had problems with too-rapid discharge, but those problems have been solved in current models. Because NiMH rechargeable batteries now perform better than Nicads and are free of toxic heavy metals, Nicads are being abandoned by some manufacturers in favor of NiMHs. In any event, NiMHs are usually going to be the best all-around choice for most applications in the heavy to moderate usage range.
Rechargeable alkaline batteries are different than the "normal" alkaline batteries you buy in 4-packs and 8-packs at the store in standard "consumer sizes" like AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt. Rechargeable alkaline batteries have poorer long-term performance and recharge characteristics compared to Nicads and NiMHs, and unless you're looking for an inexpensive rechargeable battery that is ready to use right out of the package (without recharging), we suggest you avoid them. And in case you run across an ad for a device that says it can recharge normal alkaline batteries, forget it—it's a scam.
Lithium-ion batteries are very good and have excellent shelf life—i.e. their charge does not go down when they're just sitting around not being used—but they're more expensive than other types of rechargeable batteries. That means they're usually only a good choice for occasionally used emergency devices or high-drain devices like portable televisions, digital cameras, laptops, and cell phones. If you use such devices often and you have the option to buy them with a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, it's worth doing.
You should be able to get hundreds of recharging cycles out of all of these types of batteries—except alkaline rechargeables.
Recharging Tips:
- The best chargers have a microchip that monitors the charging activity, manages for "optimum trickle," and terminates the current flow at the optimum point. This type of charger may cost a little more, but it will likely extend the life of your rechargeable batteries, making the extra initial cost of the "smart charger" worth it.
- If your battery charger doesn't have such braininess, take the batteries out as soon as they're charged up.
- A typical NiMH-battery charger will also charge Nicad batteries, but the reverse is not true. (A Nicad-only charger would overcharge the NiMH batteries.)
- A solar charger is the absolute greenest choice, eliminating the cost of electricity and the pollution associated with generating it. They usually work more slowly than plug-in rechargers, but if you've bought extra rechargeable batteries, that will not be a problem.
- Use your batteries almost to the point of complete discharge, i.e. do not run them down to the point of total failure. And don't overcharge the batteries, either—especially NiMH batteries.
- Remember that you'll need to charge up your Nicad or NiMH rechargeable batteries before you use them.
- If you treat your rechargeable batteries right, you won't need to worry about diminished recharge capacity for at least 400-500 recharges. (If you're still skeptical, you can read more about the myth of the "Battery Memory Effect" at ZBattery.com.)
http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/11-23/rechargeable-batteries-battery-charger-article.htm
06-01-2007, 07:26 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2
RE: RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES... ARE THEY WORTH IT?
Hey guys! Upfront want to tell you that I work for Moultrie and we are trying to get the word out about some information that has been miscommunicated regarding our cameras on forums, websites and catalogs.
You can NOT hook up a solar panel toour new cameras!!!! Not even if you buy rechargeable batteries.
This was mistakenly placed in some copy discussing our product onforums and in product catalogs. People are talking about getting rechargeable batteries and hooking up a solar panel-you can not do this. You can only hook it up to a 12-volt external source if you want a power supply other than the D-cells. Rechargeable batteries are a good investment even though they tend to be more expensive. Please pass the word onto your friends. We want people know about this mistake and that the cameras still get awesome battery life (150 days)off normal alkaline D-cells.
You can NOT hook up a solar panel toour new cameras!!!! Not even if you buy rechargeable batteries.
This was mistakenly placed in some copy discussing our product onforums and in product catalogs. People are talking about getting rechargeable batteries and hooking up a solar panel-you can not do this. You can only hook it up to a 12-volt external source if you want a power supply other than the D-cells. Rechargeable batteries are a good investment even though they tend to be more expensive. Please pass the word onto your friends. We want people know about this mistake and that the cameras still get awesome battery life (150 days)off normal alkaline D-cells.
