Rechargable Batteries
 

Anyone know of some GOOD rechargable batteries? "AA", "AAA" "C" "D"

I've been looking around ebay and don't have a clue of the brands (looks like mostly China crap). I figure I'd be safe getting Energizer or Duracell rechargables, but don't want to pay for the brand name unless it's really that important.

Please help. Looking for Charger too. (plug-in, solar, hand crank)

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

:rolleyes_m: I have used Marathon and Tenergy NiMH rechargeables of all sizes for about three years now with zero failures on either brand.

They rock...

You'll pay dearly for name brand batteries that are no better than these two brands.

C,D,and 9V sizes are not cheap. AAA and AA are reasonable in quantity.

Usually sold bulk in lots of 10 on eBay (each size)

I set aside $1000.00 for rechargeable batteries in case TSHTF.

I packed away 90% of them for emergency use and barter items.

They will be like bullets and beans...almost impossible to buy if things get REAL BAD...so use your own judgment.

I figure a nice set of rechargeable AA's and a small solar charger should bring about two grand on the black market in the very near future if TSHTF.

Gameboy and MP3 player owners will kill their neighbors for batteries :>)

Chargers ?

All mine are Solar powered...might not be any juice to run a conventional 110V model charger available.
They are slow,but might near indestructible and portable...think backpack and bug out.

The best model I could find is a Solar 11 in one battery charger with meter.Might try a google search using those terms and get lucky.
No brand name on the box...made in China,but they work great.
They also will charge any battery size you put in them,including 9V types.

I think I bought 40 of them and packed them away in the garage somewhere. My wife had a duck,but she got over it when I explained the barter angle...smart,very smart.

Not much help...good luck bro...

:D:D:D:D










I

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

RR-

If I remember correctly, it can be difficult
to charge NiMH batteries after long term
storage. If they are high capacity, and won't
take a charge because they were stored too
long try the C204W noted below.
______________________________________

Chargers-

Check out Maha chargers.
I bought a C204W but end up
using two old C401FS units.
Many of my old, low capacity
batteries still work fine, but should
not be charged with C204W.

Have bought from Thomas Distributing many,
times, .... no problems.

dtnwn
________________________________________

My old C401FS works fine on both low capacity
and latest high capacity NiMH cells.
Note: Technically a battery is two or more
cells connected in eV��r series or parallel.

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

:D Gotcha covered sam...I have a couple of the older Maha chargers still new in the box for just that possibility.

Anybody who is thinking of rechargeables to include in their preps needs to do some in depth research into chargers and battery types before laying down the cash.

Fascinating stuff...you can get burned if you don't know what you're buying.

:rolleyes_m::rolleyes_m::rolleyes_m:

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

Thanks a mil! It's hard to find/research with so many options and so much sales talk.

I love that one with the 12v cube so it can be car charged.

There are new "long storage" niMh batteries, but "long" is relative, like holding a charge a few weeks. Apparently they are typical batteries with NiMh chargers.

I did like the rechargable alkalines, but they don't seem available. They had 10x (actually more like 25x) charges, and stored like an alkaline.

The small solar chargers work but are truly anemic, most have no way to measure or stop charge either, and need to be outside to get enough light.

The listed charger would be unlimited--probably inside a window--with a real panel like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-12V-Briefcas...QQcmdZViewItem

Also good for everything else if mitigated through a 12v battery. I imagine you could run radio, lights, etc for years on this if you had to, but certainly a AA charger or two--if they're 12v like the maha is.

There is also the iSun batt pack. Same problems with no charge indicator or stop, but it also POWERS devices as a battery source, so may be worth the trouble. Used for cameras in Africa, cell phones in the field, etc.


Anyone know anything about LiOn AA or D? Price still seems incredible, but so was the life. A PDA drained almost every day for 4 years shows no battery sag yet. Incredible.


TS

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

Easy- Rechargeable "battery" FAQ

Technical-
Battery University

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

I just had a Duracell leak and ruin a Maglight. Good timing though, Walmart had a clearance sale on their Dorcy LED lights. I got a 1W, metal housing with 3 Energizer batteries for $7.

I'm thinking of ordering a NightStar (shake) flashlight. A little pricey but you don't have to worry about batteries.

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

:rolleyes_m: Posted by Ghost Recon:

You might want to get a Generation Gear ShakeLight 60 instead of the Nightstar GR.

I have a half dozen of both and the Shakelight 60 is a better product for less money.

In head to head tests the ShakeLight is brighter and burns longer per number of shakes than the Nightstar...yes,I tested them myself :>)

Both are good...do a web search on ShakeLight...you'll find a distributor up in Canada...good bunch of guys...very honest and reasonable prices.

Sorry,lost the link bro :>(

:rolleyes_m::rolleyes_m::rolleyes_m:

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

Thanks RR. I'll check out that ShakeLight 60.....

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

I'm an electronics tech for a battery pack manufacturer.

Get good quality NiCds. Most of them on the market should be OK.

Advantages: They have a much longer life, in cycles and in years, than NiMH. Also, they have much lower "self-discharge", and can last quite a while without permanent damage when completely discharged.

Disadvantages: NiCds have somewhat less capacity, and can suffer from "memory effect" when improperly used.

Solution: Get a battery analyzer/charger with recondition capability. Such as this one: http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/view...?idproduct=423

For larger energy storage applications, rather than cheap Lead-Acid, I recommend a "Pocket-Plate NiCd". These batteries can last up to 25 YEARS under continuous use.

Your MOST IMPORTANT piece of equipment is your charger.

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

Go to www.cheapbatterypacks.com. Best source for batteries of all kinds. And great service too. Ask me how I know.

Re: Rechargable Batteries
 

Energiser 2500ma NiMH and chargers. I have a bunch of these. They aren't cheap, but they are worth it.

The only issue with rechargables is if you leave them lying around they will discharge in 4 weeks or so, so I have some Energiser alkalines on hand if I just want things to "GO".