I get it - Eneloops rock. I use them in all my lights and other critical applications. I’ve also read about the LADDAloops etc - will keep an eye out if I go by an IKEA.
However, I have a lot of battery-using devices in my house. A lot of them do not use intense power like a Convoy T4 - think remote controls, clocks, small tools. Filling all of them with Eneloops seems like a massive money sink.
What are some decent performers that have low self-discharge? I’ve used Tenergy Centura with decent results, along with EBL premium cells. They actually seem to be better than my experience with energizer rechargeables .
This arena can be a bit of a moving target. Many except the mediocre and worse will ‘seem’ OK for awhile, like 1-3 years. I find EBL is like that. I’ve got a lot of them. IR goes up rapidly and termination becomes problematic. I have had satisfactory results with Centura. I’ve been pretty satisfied with GP ReCyko AA 2000mAh and the AAA also. But, that was a good while ago, so I know THOSE are decent, but I have no idea if the current versions are as solid or what the price point might be vs Eneloops. The era of Amazon Basicloops is long gone.
The companies have found that pushing stupidly high capacity sells at the expense of long term reliability. Most of the public is not very sophisticated about batteries.
I’m starting to try out the 1.5v AA lithiums. That is EVEN MORE of a fishing expedition. Some perform pretty well very few live up to the marketing. Some are not too good. As far as I’m concerned none of them have an honest reliability track record, just wild claims about cycle life that I SERIOUSLY doubt they will do.
I look for Fujitsu NiMH as an Eneloop equal but pricing difference normally not compelling. Trying the 1.5V lithium AAs also but not long enough to know what to think yet.
Dunno if they’re “top performers” or not, but I got an assload of PKcells that last over a year in my weather remote, as well used extensively in motorized cat-toys, teevee remote, 2AA light (hang on… Sofirn SF13), etc. No complaints.
Think the latest: powerowl.
Ive also picked up some bonai. Not sure they’re a leader anymore.
Think now the powerowl & pkcells now, whichever cheeper.
Powerowls impressed me, stamping exp. Date on their lithium primaries.
Testing the hoxon aa1.5V lithium rechargeables since January on some cheap 2aa lights(& a sp10pro) for longevity etc.
No voltage drop until they quit though.
They were ~$18/dozen with 4bay lithium charger tossed. Since got vx2pro(for most battery chemistries.
The 1.5V lithium rechargeables:
Most have no drop-off until they quit.
The xtar 3300(& higher) clr simulate a drop-off
So if you rely on low voltage sensing to warn you they will do that(for $ more).
Forgot about the PKCells, AA/2100 and AAA both looking good after several years of use.
Like any of the high capacity, I’d not buy the 2800 unless you NEED the capacity, but expect a shorter lifespan.
Duracell makes nice NiMH cells (find the made in Japan ones) those are made by Fujitsu i believe, who also makes Eneloops, same with the IKEA LADDA 2450 AA and 900 mAh AAA).
Dracutum 3000mWh/2000mAh 1.5vAA - In testing they are about 95% of claimed capacity @ 0.5A
They hold that until they hit 1.1v which they hold for ~ 50-60mA, then cut out. This is one of the best cells I have found.
HW 1.5v AA 3500mWh/2333mAh Non-USB Charge variety (capacity lost with USB charge embedded) - These test ~ 80% of capacity claimed @0.5A. They hold that to 1.1v also but will go ~480mA more before cutting out. This can be seen as good or bad. You do get a longer notice window, but you lose more than 400mAh of 1.5v. So…depends on which characteristic is more important.
As these START at claimed 2333mAh they end up having a ‘working’ mAh similar to the Dracutum.
Functionally both are decent. Put them in the race with stock Eneloops for capacity.
No complaints so far, but not a lot of real use yet.
Honestly, I don’t even look at their capacity ratings, because they’re usually horseshiite anyway. Over a year in a wx remote, probably as long in a teevee remote, can’t even remember when I last had to charge my SF13, etc., that’s all I care about. If it gets 8mos vs 1yr, I wouldn’t even notice, let alone care.
Eneloop normal and LADDA normal is what I use. The Pro versions of each seem to have problems according to reviews. Of my black Eneloop Pro’s, I have none left because they all failed.
It goes some way to the theory that LADDA and Eneloop are the same. I have a few Energiser NiMh too, they seem ok.
Get ladda, same eneloops rewrapped for a bit cheaper.
there are 1.5v li ion rechargeable but descent ones are about as much as eneloops costwise, I have several brands, even thou on paper their circuit makes noise, but in reality, I have found no issues with them (several brands) using in remotes, walkie talkies, am/fm radio, rc toys… Either ripple currents are too little to matter, or devices had capacitors smoothing out those ripples, circuits are also shielded inside steel can, so check your particular device, it is more likely to not have issues with those cells.
I’ve been using the same Eneloops I bought maybe 9 years ago. I can’t really detect if they’ve degraded in any way since, always feels the same to me. Same with my Ladda’s I bought about 5 years ago. Still going strong as far as I can tell.
Hi, this is my first post in this forum but I’ve decide to do it as I have two AA 2000mAh Sony CycleEnergy rechargeable batteries that where used in different toys for my kids and decide to test the capacity with a SkyRC NC3000Pro charger that I’ve recently purchased.
The latest test was charge fully 400 mA and then discharge at 200mA that took around 9h20m. Capacity for cell 1 1850mAh IR 25 and cell 2 1882mAh with IR 21, DeltaV set up at 1V . Recharged at 200mA Cell 1 1851 mAh with IR 28 mohm and cell 2 1877mAh with IR 26 mohm. The purchase date as I remember was around 2009 and is impressive result after almost 17 years old battery.
On the battery what I can identify is 07 - 09 non intelligible and letter I
Probably made in the Sanyo Twicell factory before it became FDK (so, same origin as eneloops).
What charger did you use for all those years you’ve owned these cells?
In my opinion, widespread availablity of affordable smart chargers for NiMh has only been in the last ~12 years or so, and without single channel, dV/dT charging, the performance of these cells is limited.
In the past years I’ve used a charger from La Crosse Technology RS1000 or similar model and before of it was a Sony basic charger that charged this batteries for several times.
Initially, internal resistance was lower and the cells had a higher capacity.with lower self discharge. Unfortunately, they did not age nearly as well . After several dozen cycles, IR began to slowly creep up and the capacity began to drop . It’s a small sample (8 cells) and anecdotal, but I’ve since stayed with the tried and true Eneloop brand. Always suprised to capacity test Eneloop cells with 2010 dates that visually don’t look their best, and see 80% or greater capacity compared to their original testing.
Absolutely. I bought a couple of dozen of those years ago. They all have failed with time. Often just by sitting in a drawer unused. Eneloops purchased in that same time frame are still working well.
Yes! Just recently placed a order for more. Ordered a additional 12 pack to store away iñ the battery box. With the advent of more powerful emitters and efficient drivers I’ve been using the Eneloops more frequently than any lithium chemistry in the AA format.
