Rechargeable: Difference between revisions
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→Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) - 1.2V/cell
(→Lithium Ion (Li-ion) - 3.7V/cell: add HKJ's comparator) |
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[[File:Duraloop.jpg|thumb|300px|Comparison of white-top Duracell Precharged and Eneloop AA cells]]Currently a popular cell type, with fast charging times, high capacity, and much improved recyclability. However, they typically lose charge faster than the old NiCad types, so work less well as, for example, a TV remote battery (economically, you might be better off using alkalines in a TV remote or other very low drain device). | [[File:Duraloop.jpg|thumb|300px|Comparison of white-top Duracell Precharged and Eneloop AA cells]]Currently a popular cell type, with fast charging times, high capacity, and much improved recyclability. However, they typically lose charge faster than the old NiCad types, so work less well as, for example, a TV remote battery (economically, you might be better off using alkalines in a TV remote or other very low drain device). | ||
A newer generation of NiMH cells, called Low Self-Discharge (LSD), are able to hold a charge for a much longer time, claiming 75% charge after a year, instead of 50% discharge after 6 months for standard NiMH cells. The trade-off is that LSD cells usually have lower capacity (75%) than some non-LSD NiMH cells. These batteries are marketed as 'Pre-Charged' because they still retain much of their factory charge after months or years on a store shelf. Among LSD brands, Sanyo's [[Eneloop]] batteries have the best reputation and performance (retaining 85% of their charge after a year). Other brands include Duracell Precharged, Uniross Hybrio, Rayovac Hybrid, Powerex Imedion, Sony Cycle Energy, GP Recyko, and others. Because LSD cells are NiMH batteries, they can still be charged in any NiMH battery charger. | A newer generation of NiMH cells, called Low Self-Discharge (LSD), are able to hold a charge for a much longer time, claiming 75% charge after a year, instead of 50% discharge after 6 months for standard NiMH cells. The trade-off is that LSD cells usually have lower capacity (75%) than some non-LSD NiMH cells. These batteries are marketed as 'Pre-Charged' because they still retain much of their factory charge after months or years on a store shelf. Among LSD brands, Sanyo's '''[[Eneloop]]''' batteries have the best reputation and performance (retaining 85% of their charge after a year). Other brands include Duracell Precharged, Uniross Hybrio, Rayovac Hybrid, Powerex Imedion, Sony Cycle Energy, GP Recyko, and others. Because LSD cells are NiMH batteries, they can still be charged in any NiMH battery charger. | ||
Larger cells are also available as NiMH cells. A true D-sized NiMH should have a capacity of about 10,000 mAh. Watch out for Energizer, Rayovac, and other brand versions that are 2200-2500 mAh: these are mostly hollow and have no more capacity than AA cells. If lower capacity is not a problem, hollow adapters can be purchased (provided with some chargers like the BC-9009 and Costco Eneloop Pack) that allow you to put a AA in a D-sized shell. | Larger cells are also available as NiMH cells. A true D-sized NiMH should have a capacity of about 10,000 mAh. Watch out for Energizer, Rayovac, and other brand versions that are 2200-2500 mAh: these are mostly hollow and have no more capacity than AA cells. If lower capacity is not a problem, hollow adapters can be purchased (provided with some chargers like the BC-9009 and Costco Eneloop Pack) that allow you to put a AA in a D-sized shell. | ||