Yes, I agree. One thing I have learnt through this process is that different rechargeable betters work better in different applications- such as you mention. I will follow this video up with my AA Lithuim-ion rechargeable battery test, which also has very specific applications.

Totally agree, just buy a smaller pack of rechargables and only use them for gaming so that you don't pay for more than you need (the bigger packs are pretty pricy) As long as you have spare batteries on the charger at all times you will be good. And for anything like your TV remotes, Camera's, Toys etc. ↓ Just use the disposables because I always find they actually last a decent while in those kind of things whereas in things like game controllers, mice, keyboards etc, they only last me like a couple days depending on what it is.

Same.

Yea, imagine owning an xbox and you have to spend like a dollar for every battery

@@wildchildliving I agree, I'll have a disposable battery in my mouse and it will only last me a week at most, maybe only a month

This guy doesn't understand voltage lol he says "just ignore the readings" 😂😂😂

In my experience with numerous brands of NiMH rechargeable batteries, they can be charged to about 1.44 - 1.48 volts, well above the nominal 1.2 volts. NiMH cells are also said to have a lower internal resistance than alkaline batteries, but that's where the positives end for me(and where I originally intended to end this comment). The problem is, despite the advertising, all rechargeable batteries self-discharge at a rate that makes actual usable runtime much lower than advertised. After having purchased dozens of rechargeable batteries from at least four different popular brands, I have to say that I am NOT a big fan, and unless you're a person who likes charging and recharging batteries every month, I would avoid them. I am going back to regular disposable batteries with each new purchase and rather regret my foray into rechargeables. Also, some people may not know, but rechargeable batteries will NOT last forever, or likely even ten years. Even if they can be recharged over a thousand times, they'll probably only work well for 5 - 7 years tops, so don't think having a hundred rechargeable batteries means never having to buy batteries again, it doesn't. You'll probably get between 3 - 5 years and the joy of recharging batteries every month or two if you want them to be well-charged. Personally, I don't enjoy recharging and changing batteries that often, especially not in all of my devices.

Thank you. I hope more people get the message.

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you. I am glad it was helpful.

Thank you!

Would like info on solar panel and battery charger that you use.

I am very happy with the Panasonic Eneloop batteries. They seem to be very well made.

After 2 years and lots of comments, the only clear problem is that NiMH batteriers are only 1.3 v, so I will be testing Lithium AA and AAA in the next few months and will make a follow-up video. I am very happy with the Enelope- but we will see what brand makes good Lithium batteries.

@@Bennett_Hennessey .. Since my comment I purchased two sets of AmpTorrent lithium rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. I like them because they went in their own charger as opposed to an octopus of USB connections. On Amazon apparently some people have done some extensive testing and posted their results. I'm just tired of throwing batteries in the garbage. Good luck and I hope to see your view soon.

Glad it was helpful!

For both AA and AAA batteries, the best rechargeable battery for 98% of you consumer needs (SEP21) is the Eneloop- both the standard or you can get a bit more lasting power with the Eneloop Pro. These are high quality products using a well tested technology.

@@Bennett_Hennessey Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate your advice.

You should be able to recharge NiMH batteries in all types of NiMH battery rechargers. Lithium rechargeable require a Lithium recharge (for the smart element of knowing when to stop charging the battery). So, no, NiMH rechargable batteries do not require any special type of recharger.

Yes, as batteries are charged they will warm, that is normal and not dangerous.

Not so far. They are all running strong. So far I am really impressed how long they are lasting.

It is best to keep store your eneloops fully charged. They will lost 10% of the charge in the first week, but you can quickly fill them before use.

rechargeable batteries lose capacity and performance over time with repeated usage and charge cycles. Have you ever noticed that your phone battery struggles to hold a charge after 1 or 2 years of usage?

Yeah I'm super skeptical about 2000 cycles, my Ladda batteries say 500 cycles in the 2450mAh ones

This is a follow-up video I need to make. Some electronics are made for the top level of Alkaline batteries- so made to run at 1.5 volts each, and some are in series, like four together at 6 volts. It is a bad design. So, the non-lithium rechargeable batteries at ~1.3 volts, do not run such items very well. I have found this with some camera traps, a water meter. It usually happens with things with more than one battery in a series. The solution is to get Lithium recharge for such applications. But there a lot of drawbacks with lithium rechargeable batteries, so for most things you can stick with the general rechargables.

That is true. Good point

This is the question I want to look into for a follow-up video. A NiMh AA rechargeable battery fully charged peaks around 1.3 volts, whereas a typical Alkaline single-use battery is 1.5 volts. That usually is not enough to make a large difference. But if the device is using four batteries in series; 4 x 1.3 v = 5.2 volts- whereas 4 x 1.5 v = 6 volts. The device will probably work, but not as long as you would like because the voltage will drop off. But since rechargeable voltages don’t drop that quickly, I would like to test that theory. But it will not harm your device, it just might not last as long. But the simple solution would be to use Lithium rechargeable batteries- which have a peak at 1.5 volts. At this point I can’t recommend which brand.

That is good to hear. I am trying out some dubious Lithium AA batteries right now- so far holding up OK. I just wish they would not claim lies on their packaging.

Yes. Just charge them up first and then start using. They should be fine.

The brand reports that there battery will last over 2,000 cycles. But of course there are many variables to consider. There are actually other brands that report even more cycles. Obviously it is a very hard thing to test for.

@@Bennett_Hennessey oh okay I was just going off a few brands I know of, though I'm still sceptical they are telling the truth on on longer cycle count

You're welcome!

This is unfortunately the design plan by the larger companies that depend on selling "throw-away" batteries. They want the public to believe there is not an alternative. Try the eneloop batteries. Many professionals have been using them for years. They are an excellent product. I just bought 8 more, because I need them for new applications.

I am sure many people have also had your experience with the horrible Energizer rechargeable batteries. I think you have to accept you got scammed by them, and buy the eneloop and you will be happy.

Yes, I agree, Eneloop really appear to be a high quality battery

Glad it helped

Good point with the battery cases

or start a fire 🔥

I don't think so for the average consumer AA & AAA battery because the demand is a very low level of electricity over a long period= where the speed to recharge is really not that important (overnight is fine). But if they are improved to hold more energy they could work for specific applications. It looks like the general Mi-NH rechargeable is good enough for most applications that it will stay around for many decades to come.

Good points. I am testing some commercial Lithium batteries right now, but they do have the added circuitry which I could see adding noise. Will note that in a follow-up video. Thanks

@@Bennett_Hennessey Sweet! I just purchased a lithium ion 9v that actually holds 9.5 volts (most are in the 8v range) and I am going to test it for noise as well.

No, Most batteries if taken care of properly will not leak. I have not had any problem with leaking rechargeable batteries.

Good points. Could be hard to quantify which is really better in the long-run- depends on a few factors. I don't mind having made that investment and now- in theory- won't have to buy batteries ever again (or at least after 2,000 cycles).

@@Bennett_Hennessey The enloops are great batteries; I have some that are over 10 years old but no where near 2000 charges. I started picking up the pro version for my camera/audio gear.

A lot of money. I could never go back.

Probably depends on the smart charger. I guess that is the problem, a smart charger makes things easier for people, but can also make mistakes. But that problem outweighs the advantage that a smart charger won't destroy a rechargeable battery.

@AT0M Powerex or Skyrc

II live in Bolivia where the country is flooded with crap cheap batteries, so Duracell were the best Alkaline you could buy (funny, I have bought batteries for three years now). It is very humid here, so batteries corrode quicker.

I just had the crap Energizer AA battery die on me after recharging less than 15 times in 2 years. What a scam they have going.

@@Bennett_Hennessey I only buy eneloop brand only other way I’ll ever buy energizer or duracell rechargeables is if they are ever on sale like last year 4 batteries and a charger for 10 bucks I bought 6 of each gave all of away as Christmas stocking stuffers for the kids told them to only buy eneloops I have most of my family thanking me now after telling them all over and over to only buy eneloops they love em now especially now that it’s saving them all big bucks over throw always

Glad you liked it

The NiMD Rechargeable batteries are 1.3v when fully charged. That is the nature of NiMD. That is good enough for 97% of your battery needs. But stupidly some electronics systems only work on 1.5-1.4 v, which is an Alkaline battery at its peak (very wasteful on batteries). The solution in those rare cased is to get a Lithium Rechargeable AA or AAA battery. Lithium naturally will hold a 3.4 v charge, so they also come with a built in controller to give constantly 1.5 v until the battery runs out of power. This is the case for camera traps, and some items that use four batteries in series. But for most of your needs a NiMD Rechargeable battery will be fine.

I've got 24 realy good ones from Bonai on Amazon for 30€. That was 1,25€ per unit!

I do not have enough experience with different brands to say which is better, but I found people highly recommend Eneloop, which is what I bought, and I am very happy with them so far.

If your Duracell's stopped after two charges then I would suspect your charger is at fault. There's a video from I think it's called Project Farm and they're testing shows the duracelles is one of the best NiMH using solar lights and daily charging and discharging.

Right. They say it is not so much time, but the repeated charging events. But there are also better quality batteries that last longer, and charging techniques to extend the batteries life. Eneloop says there battery can be recharged 2,000 times.

Rechargeables lose noticeable chunk of ability to store a charge after HUNDREDS of cycles. That is nowhete near close to 1 cycle avaiable from non-rechargeables.

@@volodumurkalunyak4651 For phone batteries you can expect a 20% capacity reduction after just 500 cycles

I did think about that. My nature in life is to try to be funny, but I think my lack of experience in video making and how people will react, makes me stick to the straight story.

Fully charged NiMH rechargeable batteries are usually 1.42 v, which is perfectly fine to run 98% of battery operated instruments. If they are lower- they might be one of the many poorly made cheap rechargeable batteries. If you must have 1.5 v, than you want to get Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.

@@Bennett_Hennessey ..those li-on are over 3.6dcv ..and the size are to big..I need AA & AAA sizes..to fit remotes..1.2v are not enough..

@@surenbono6063 There are companies that make Li-ion AA and AAA batteries. They have a controller inside to regulate the voltage at 1.5 v. I am experimenting with a few. They do not hold as much of a charge, and do not seem to be as well made as eneloop, but when you must have 1.5 volts they can work. I find the eneloop NiMH work very well for 95% of my needs

@@Bennett_Hennessey ..but that's not on my market...

I think there is a whole building of engineers at Tesla that would disagree with your statement. I agree it wont be easy. but I think worth a try.

Thank you for your comment, but I don't understand what you want to say with "don't toss them around"?

Eneloop pro AA (which I recommend) are online for $7 each in a four pack with tax. You can always buy cheaper ones, but cheap is cheap. I wanted to avoid stating a cheaper price and then everyone says I am not being realistic. The point is, even at $8 each, this is a far better alternative to throw-away batteries.

@@Bennett_Hennessey Disagree. Thats like saying a corvette is better than a civic, there is no practical relevance here.

Thanks for letting me know. I checked it looking at the video from my other channels, and it was working without a problem. Maybe something to do with your site, place, IP address- I don't know.