⚡⚡It's DEFINITELY time to switch to rechargeable batteries ⚡🔦📷

Now's the time to start using RechargeAble batteries, and this thread contains the important details about which batteries & chargers to choose. I no longer use ANY disposable batteries(technically called 'primaries').

Rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D & 9v batteries used to be lousy for most applications. They didn't have good charge capacity, and they lost charge quickly even when unused. Its called 'self discharge'.

For several years now, there has been new battery technology that allows AAA, AA, C, D & 9v rechargeable batteries to hold their charge much longer. They are specifically labeled "low self discharge", or LSD, nickel metal hydride(NiMH) batteries. You must check to see if the batteries are labeled LSD, because most store bought rechargeable Energizer & Duracell batteries are NOT low self discharge, and will lose as much as 30%+ of their charge per month, even if not used.

The best, most recommended versions are the Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloop batteries. I also like the Tenergy Centura LSD batteries. There are other brands like Imedion, but I haven't used them, so I can't comment, and I've heard inconsistent remarks.

The Eneloops come in AAA & AA form. Sanyo developed Eneloops, but were recently merged with the also-large battery manufacturer Panasonic. Eneloops do not come in C or D size, except for a D adapter that hold 2-4 AA batteries inside. But that's not a problem, because Tenergy makes C & D batteries in their Centura LSD line.

But most brick & mortar stores in my region don't carry Eneloops or Centuras. But they are easily available online(just make sure you buy the Eneloop or Centura models, as there are other rechargeable models made by Tenergy that are cheaper with slightly more capacity, but they are NOT LSD batteries, and will lose charge much faster).

As far as chargers, you can buy kits from both companies that come with their own proprietary chargers, which are good as back ups, but it would be better to buy a better optioned, universal charger that gives you more info about the state of your batteries. There are quite a few decent universal chargers at different prices, but I'll recommend the Xtar VC-4 charger. I've owned one since January 2017, and it's good.

The Xtar VC-4 will charge multiple battery sizes, from AAA, AA, C, D, and chemistries, from NiCd, NiMH, Lithium Ion, LiFePO4, LiMn, LiCoO2. Unlike most chargers, each of its 4 charging bays is independent, and each can charge a completely different type or size of battery simultaneously. You can choose it's charge current if you want. It tells you each battery's voltage AND how much 'charge'(capacity) it charged the battery with. Its got features like battery refresh, and it evaluates each battery, and won't charge a bad battery.

It comes with a USB plug, so it can be connected to any USB power source, BUT you need a USB - A/C adapter with 2.1A to plug it into a wall outlet. Most standard USB wall adapters work, but a 2.1A rated one is best.

I'm not and likely won't become all that concerned about whether I install in my gizmos a rechargeable or other kind of battery. Obviously, cell phones and cars need a rechargeable one, but for most other devices, I don't care; I just want the thing to work.

Xelor said:

I'm not and likely won't become all that concerned about whether I install in my gizmos a rechargeable or other kind of battery. Obviously, cell phones and cars need a rechargeable one, but for most other devices, I don't care; I just want the thing to work.

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There are a LOT of good reasons to kick primary batteries to the curb and switch to rechargeable batteries:

1. You save a LOT of money
2. MUCH less caustic chemicals produced
3. Less caustic chemicals in landfill or in need of processing
4. Less trips to the store to buy batteries
5. Potentially increased battery life in high drain devices
6. Complete riddance of leaky, corroded batteries and ruined devices
7. Increased knowledge and wisdom about your electronics, batteries etc
8. Satisfaction of self sufficiency and pride of being able to provide your own electrical energy, without being dependent on disposable chemical batteries.
9. Satisfaction of knowing you're helping reduce pollution
10. Coolness factor of your new excuse to learn about awesome new LED flashlights and devices that you can run on Li-Ion batteries that most people have never even seen or heard of. Examples: 18650, 20700, 26650, 18500, 16340, 14500, etc etc etc

I've been doing rechargable batteries since my 6 year old daughter started playing sports. She's 34 now.

Also take the batteries out of or disconnect them from the device for longer shelf life.

I have a rechargeable 1,200 lumen flashlight. A Bushnell that cost 60$ but worth it. Super bright, 2 hour run time. It would take four premium double A's to run that for 2 hours. It quickly paid for itself as I ride my bike at night with it.

Pretty sure it has an internal, lithium battery.

hanger4 said:

I've been doing rechargable batteries since my 6 year old daughter started playing sports. She's 34 now.

Also take the batteries out of or disconnect them from the device for longer shelf life.

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Good advice. Many devices suffer from parasitic battery drain, even when turned off. I carry a small(but BRIGHT) LED flashlight with me daily. Its a Jetbeam Jet II mk. It can run on disposable CR123 lithium batteries, or rechargeable 16340 Li Ion batteries. I use 16340s. Its got a low parasitic drain, but I still unscrew its tail cap about 1/2 turn further than normal to lock out its connection. It may not be necessary with this light, because the twisty tail cap IS its switch. So just backing it off slightly should be all that's necessary.

Cheaper lights aren't properly anodized to permit backing the tail cap off to lock them out.

Slingshot Bob said:

I have a rechargeable 1,200 lumen flashlight. A Bushnell that cost 60$ but worth it. Super bright, 2 hour run time. It would take four premium double A's to run that for 2 hours. It quickly paid for itself as I ride my bike at night with it.

Pretty sure it has an internal, lithium battery.

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Yeah, and just take a look at the price of CR123 lithium disposable batteries next time you are in a store(if they carry them). That's the most likely option for lights like yours, if it had removable batteries. They run between $5.99 to $7.99 each at brick & mortar stores. Online they can be had for $1.50 - $2.50 each. Your light would probably need 2 of them. But most lights that accept those lithium batteries, will also accept the rechargeable lithium ion version of them(16340), or an 18650 for lights that hold 2 CR123's.

ModerationNow! said:

There are a LOT of good reasons to kick primary batteries to the curb and switch to rechargeable batteries:

1. You save a LOT of money
2. MUCH less caustic chemicals produced
3. Less caustic chemicals in landfill or in need of processing
4. Less trips to the store to buy batteries
5. Potentially increased battery life in high drain devices
6. Complete riddance of leaky, corroded batteries and ruined devices
7. Increased knowledge and wisdom about your electronics, batteries etc
8. Satisfaction of self sufficiency and pride of being able to provide your own electrical energy, without being dependent on disposable chemical batteries.
9. Satisfaction of knowing you're helping reduce pollution
10. Coolness factor of your new excuse to learn about awesome new LED flashlights and devices that you can run on Li-Ion batteries that most people have never even seen or heard of. Examples: 18650, 20700, 26650, 18500, 16340, 14500, etc etc etc

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All good reasons for someone other than me to strongly prefer rechargeable batteries. Aside from my cell phone and the iPods I keep in the cars, I own three cat toys that I turn on a few times a year, one quartz watch I haven't used in decades, a couple headlamps I use when backcountry camping (an infrequent event during the past lustrum), and a beard trimmer I use only when I have a passing whim to sport a goatee or five o'clock shadow look. AFAICR, they are the only gizmos I have that operate solely on battery power.

What am I to say? I don't live a "battery powered" lifestyle.

Xelor said:

All good reasons for someone other than me to strongly prefer rechargeable batteries. Aside from my cell phone and the iPods I keep in the cars, I own three cat toys that I turn on a few times a year, one quartz watch I haven't used in decades, a couple headlamps I use when backcountry camping (an infrequent event during the past lustrum), and a beard trimmer I use only when I have a passing whim to sport a goatee or five o'clock shadow look. AFAICR, they are the only gizmos I have that operate solely on battery power.

What am I to say? I don't live a "battery powered" lifestyle.

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Yeah, I shouldn't have assumed that everyone are automatically heavy battery users. I don't even have all that many devices, but I do have a voice recorder that I use 8-10 hours a day, that runs on 2 AAA batteries, which don't have much charge capacity in any form, plus I tend to 'top off' it's batteries and the Li Ion battery in my main everyday flashlight at least once a week. I use them in my mouse as well(1 AA), but an Eneloop AA lasts easily a year in the cordless mouse, so I rarely ever top it off. My charger sits on a nightstand 2 feet from my bed, so topping off is always a temptation.

I have several other LED lights that use different batteries, and it's recommended not to leave unused lithium ion rechargeable fully charged for long periods, so I keep them at about 75% charged. If there's a hurricane or a nor'easter forecasted, I will spend several hours topping off ALL my stored Li Ion batteries. Once it's over, I switch the lights on high, set them on a shelf, and run the batteries back down to 75%. Lol