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Rechargeable batteries for your new RIO 500 and PDA

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sunnbattery,
If possible, can you answer nnnyyy's question about rechargeable batteries with the HP 215 digital camera? I'm in the same situation.
 
This is a great thread!

I've had a digital camera of some type for about 4 years now. I used to carry three 8 packs of Alkalines (I never used NiCad because cadmium is so toxic to the environment, but I suppose all batteries have some form of toxicity). I switched to NiMH when they became mainstream in Japan and I bought them through family there. It's strange that American battery companies have only recently embraced this technology.

NiMH are the ONLY WAY TO GO!

For those of you out there with devices that use any type of AA or AAA battery, you really need to switch. I've not found a single device that can't use these. I even make my own battery packs out of them now for my laptop and other devices.

While your at it, send a few emails to your favorite American Battery company asking them why they have stalled on embracing NiMH technology. They've let us down on this one.
 
GasPath,

That's an easy one. American battery companies want consumers to continue buying expensive disposable alkaline batteries. Just think of how much revenue they'd lose if everyone switched to "can charge it a 1000 times!" NiMH batteries.
 
Couple of things, I use the Rayovac NiMH in my DC215 only 1300mAh but seem to work ok. I don't take a lot of pictures but with the NiMH's it's simple to just pop them in the charger if they get low.

Secondly a question, I have a Handspring Deluxe and I'm trying out a couple of sets of Energizer ACCUrechargeable (NH12-AAA, 1.2v, 700mAh) in it. Handspring states that only alkaline batteries should be used, I've only been using for a couple of days but haven't had any problems so far. Anyone else tried NiMH's with a handspring? Have you had any problems?

Finally I have a RadioShack charger that I'm using (Cat no. 23-335A), is it a good charger? I'm not up on all this so all imput is welcome.

rb56
 
We will be offering Nexcell C and D NIMH batteries in 4 weeks. We are going to begin offering preordering this week. If you preorder there will be a discount of some sort. Probably $.50 or $1 per battery. Please let me know if you have any further questions.



Sunn Battery's Website
 
Anyone have any luck using NiMHs in remote controls or other devices that are low power consumers?

It seems like the batteries lose their charge if I leave them fully charged in the charger (unplugged) for a couple of days. So I was wondering if they can be used for things that should last months or so on regular batteries.
 
I'm not sure why'd you want to use the more expensive NiMH batteries in low power devices like clocks and remote controls. Just get some cheapo alkalines (meaning no need to spend more for name-brand, especially Ultra and E2), and they'll power your remote for a long, long time.
Save the NiMH batteries for high drain devices like digital cameras, toys, etc.

And yes, NiMH batteries do lose charge slowly if not used.
 
Well the reason is that I have 12 Nexcell AAs batteries (I got them as part of a kit) sitting around. The only "high drain" device I own is my Nomad II (which uses 1 AA battery). It would be nice if I could use the other 10 or so batteries for something useful while also helping the environment and stuff.
 
Hector, Sell 'um to me!! hehe, Im pretty sure youll be able to sell them in the FS forum. I just bought 10 1600mAh Sanyo batteries for $19.66 shipped. I have a Nomad II MP3 Player + Fuji FinePix 40i Digicam which all take AA batteries.
 
by the way, on fleabay, search the auctions by a seller named wthaw@aol.com. He's selling consumer top Sanyo AA batteries 1600mAh for cheap prices. As stated above, I was able to get 10 for 19.66 (16.16 + 3.50 shipping)
 
We are now having a monthly giveaway on our website. This month(april) we are giving away a MAHA 124S charger and 8 AA Nexcell 1600MAH NIMH batteries. All you have to do is fill out our survey to enter. Also, as to my previous post that we would be offering preordering on C,D,9-volt, we have decided not to do so because our credit card processing system does not reserve money on a persons card for longer than a week for some types of card. We will be offering them at a sale price for the first 2-4 weeks when they come out.

Sunn Battery's website
 
I am using the new Rayovac 1600mAh NIMH in my HP 215 camera. So far so good, no problems. You can get a 4 pack of batteries and the charger at Walmart for $20. Make sure you are getting the 1600mAh and not the 1300.

I have to admit, after reading this post I might have to try some Nexcells also.

Thanks for the informative post.
 
whew.. just spent my lunch break reading this thread.. very informative like everyone has said. now to considering buying some new batteries!
 
Just got my nexcell 1600s and the MAHA 204 charger. Tried them in my HP215 and they work great. Actually they are unbelievable! I took about 60 pictures with the LCD on! Just wanted to let those with the HP215 that rechargables are ok to use.
 
This is in reply to all the comments and confusion about the Sanyo 1600mAh cells.

Sanyo is the leader in rechargeable battery technology - having pioneered the original NiCd over 20 years ago. They currently manufacture two separate grades of NiMH rechargeable technology: the "consumer" and the "industrial" grade cells.

The consumer grade cell is sold under a Sanyo/GE commercial label, and comes with a 5 year retail warranty. They are mighty fine cells for common consumer useage, and will provide a true 1600mAh capacity for the life of the cell.

The "industrial" grade cell is a bit different, and that's part of the nature of the confusion surrounding them. They are manufactured separately from the consumer version, as they are designed for the demands of a "non-consumer" environment - like heavy-duty power consumption, extremes of operating temperature, multiple daily recharges, operator abuse, etc. The Sanyo "industrial grade cell" will shine in these environments, where the consumer version will quit.

The advantages for using these cells in the consumer market are many. Firstly, they pack a very large extra capacity punch - testing out up to 1750mAh. Secondly, they are very provide very consistent voltages - in keeping with the needs of an industrial environment. Thirdly, they'll last much longer, due to their extra durability. (They are designed and manufactured separately from their consumer grade brethren.) In short, they're fantastic cells, and I've sold thousands of them over the past year. For anyone needing verification of their mAh rating, please examine this photo from my website. 1600mAh Sanyo "Industrial Grade" cells

Excellent NiMH cells are only half the picture, though. You need a "smart recharger" to avoid overcooking them with extreme charging voltages and excessive charging times. Most cheap, "wall chargers" just blast your cells with current until you pull the plug. They'll overheat your cells and seriously reduce their recharge life.

The Lighting Pack 2000 and 4000 rechargers are, I believe, the best NiMH rechargers on the market - BETTER than the vaunted MAHA C204F charger. Why? Because they'll do a better job in a shorter time, with NO excessive voltage to fry your cells. A built in microprocessor senses the capacity of the cells, and optimizes it's current input accordingly - charging with precise "bursts" of power. (Rather than BLASTING them full power til they're nice and HOT.) The Lighting Pack recharges barely make a cell feel warm - you know your cells aren't getting fried.

The LP2000 has an onboard battery conditioner, which is great for deep discharging NiMH or NiCd cells. The LP4000 charges 4 of my 1600mAh Sanyo "industrial grade" cells in 100 minutes. Plus, it weighs a total of 5 ounces, operates on any international voltage, and requires NO additional cords, plugs, transformers, or wires. Its a bit bigger than a pack of cigarettes. Its how you protect and enhance your NiMH investment.

Hope this clears up any confusion about these great cells, and the rechargers needed to power them up. *BE* discerning. You'll love them greatly.

RipVan100
 
Well, theres a lot of competition in the battery business. Thats what consumers like to see 🙂 Since everyone is pimpin' a website, I'll like to recommend a seller on fleabay: wthaw@aol.com

He sells the "industry grade sanyo" RipVan100 was talking about for a VERY cheap price. Yes its an auction, but since he puts so much up, youll get a good price. As i mentioned before, I got 10 for less then $20 shipped.
 
very good and useful information I wish these info would be posted somewhere on this website permitly
 
As to ripvan100's explanation that you need a "smart recharger" to charge your batteries.....he's absolutely correct that you need a smart recharger....which the MAHA 204F charger is....it does not overheat your cells as he suggests many wall chargers do....in fact it is very similar to the Sanyo chargers he has pointed out...In fact the MAHA 204F charger was called "THE MOTHER OF ALL CHARGERS... by digital camera magazine in it's review... it has many outstanding features as usual...also how can we be sure that the so called industrial grade Sanyo batteries were truly made by Sanyo and not some no name company???...we have been sold so called industrial grade Sanyo batteries in bulk by many companies in the past and the cells have never stood up to the 1600MAH Nexcells...I won't dispute that Sanyo makes an excellent product. There is no doubt about that. I simply have a hard time believing that those industrial grade batteries were truly made by Sanyo without the Sanyo label on them. Also as to the Sanyo 1600AA batteries. As far as I have seen, nowhere on the batteries does it list an MAH rating of 1600MAH. It does say 1600AA but that is not an MAH rating. I'm sure that they are a good product along with every other Sanyo product. However I don't believe that they are any better than the Nexcell AA 1600MAH NIMH batteries. We have tested both side by side in a Nikon coolpix 950 and the amount of time they lasted was very similar. We have also tested them against each other on our equipment and they tested out very similarly. The Sanyo are no doubt a very good product, but definitly no better than the Nexcells. Please let me know if anyone ahs any further battery questions. I hope that you have found this discussion very informative and I hope that it has aided you in making a more informed battery choice.

Thanks,
Jerry Watterson
Sunn Battery Co.
 
jayR, there are chargers which charge single cells. I have both a Maha 204F charger (pairs) and a Ansmann PowerLine 4 charger which handles single cells. http://www.nexusamerica.com/Misc/Misc.html The Ansmann charger is very nice, universal voltage (great if you travel), and a mid-speed charger so it doesn't burn out your cells real quick.

As for great places for buying NiMH AA cells, BJ's wholesale club. It's regional, they have them in the NE at least. You can get a free 90 day membership at their website, http://www.bjswholesale.com/membership/index.html and they have Panasonic 1600 mAh NiMH AA cells in 6-packs for $12.99, and of course no shipping. Picked up two packs last weekend.

 
What about the charger below at Radio-Shack for $19.99. It is microprocessor controlled and charges AAA to D cells. Uses "fuzzy logic". Not a great charger to carry around due to size but would be great for home.

It shows battery condition (ie Volts 1.35 etc...) as well as status such as fast charge, trickle, slow-start etc...

Radio Shack part # 960-438 reg $49.99 now $19.99

http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...=CTLG_004_009_002_000&product_id=960-0348
 
KenNashua thanks for the reply. That web site wants $75 for the Ansmann PowerLine 4. I don't travel enough to justify that expense.

I just got a Rayovac PS1 at chumpUSA for $10.
It can charge up to 4 AA or AAA batteries independently. i.e. odd number batteries are OK. It can charge nimhs, nicads, AND ALKALINES. (Only one type at a time.) It has a smart chip that turns it off when the batteries are charged. Lights show when each battery is charging. Seems comprable to the MAHA MH-C124S with the addition of alkaline capability at no extra-cost.


SOMEONE HAS TO SAY THIS:
I mean no offense to the vendors who have posted in this thread. It has been very informative and the deals are good. These vendors have not overdone the sales pitches. But it is inappropriate and against the rules to have vendors post here. It is easy to see this is quickly becoming an argument between vendors. We could be opening Pandora's box here if too much of this goes on. We could quickly be overrun by vendors hawking thier wares, and arguing product claims and counter claims. I don't want to impune the integrity of these vendors but I find the views of independent AT'ers much more credible. Its the independent opinions of AT's intelligent, knowledgable, and UNBIASED members that makes this forum great. Lets keep it that way.
Send your campaign contritions to jayR.
Credit cards and webCerts accepted.
 
I bought some batteries and Lightning 2000 charger from RipVan100's website when he had in as a special and I absolutely love it. Got the 1600mAh Sanyo's and they perform very well with my FinePix 1400 digital camera. Charger is very good too and fast. If I was buying batteries and charger again, I'd buy it from him for sure. Ships fast too! And no, I don't work for him 🙂
 
Here's a question for you folks:

Creative Labs includes 1800mAh batteries with their Nomad Jukebox MP3 player. They ask you to only charge them in their Jukebox (they also don't plan on manufacturing a charger for it) otherwise they may be damaged by consumer chargers.

Kodak included a "Kodak Battery Charger" with their DC240 camera that I bought last year. It claims to charge Ni-MH or Ni-Cd batteries, 100 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz, and 8-hour charge with Auto-off timer. It has green lights to indicate charging, and the lights turn off when the batteries are done.

Any opinions on using the 1800mAh Creative Labs batteries in this charger? Or should I continue to charge them only in the Jukebox? Also, who makes those 1800mAh batteries?
 
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