BTone AA 2500mAh and 2100mAh LSD NiMh batteries
Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
Battery chemistry: |
Ni-Mh |
Size/Category: | AA |
Special things: |
LSD (80% after 2 years) |
Capacity: |
2500mAh - 2100mAh (depending version) |
Max Cycles: |
1000 charge/discharge cicles |
Price Payed: | 12.10$ |
From: | DealExtreme |
Date Ordered: | September 2011 |
Pros:
- True capacity as claimed (see capacity test) specially the 2100mAh version
- Very good build quality
- Seems to be real LSD technology
- Very cheap for the capacity and quality
- 2 batteries came with "manufacture date". (good for LSD test)
Cons:
- Labeling not very well finished... (the 2500mAh version)
- The 2500mAh version is not near the minimum capacity (for now)
Features / Value: ★★★★☆
This review will be about 2 products, the BTone 2500 and BTone 2100 (I have both, good for compare one to other)...
As I dont have many AA NiMh cells, I decided to move to LSD technology, and that the fact that appeared those BTone batteries at DX at an affordable price.... here they are
The 4x 2500mAh version, is availabe for 12.1$, which I consider very good for the price - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rechargeable-1-2v-2500mah-aa-batteries-4-piece-pack-91363?r=43033281
The 4x 2100mAh version, is availabe for 10.2$, which I consider very good for the price - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/btone-rechargeable-1-2v-2100mah-aa-batteries-4-piece-pack-91886?r=43033281
The 2x 2100mAh version, is availabe for 5.7$, which I consider good for the price, but the x4 pack is cheaper (price per unit) - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rechargeable-1-2v-2000mah-ni-mh-aa-batteries-pair-91267?r=43033281
OK let´s take my Imax and test their capacity.
Then, I will try to do a long-run test, long-time capacity measurement to see how much they can hold.
Design / Build Quality: ★★★★★
Let´s stard with the 2500mAh version:
Not much to say. They look good but the "labeling finish" could be better, specially in the positive part. It seems to exist "too much" label in that zone... But only esthetics...
They doesnt have any "venting" hole, or they are "hidden".
Now the 2100mAh version:
They have better "labeling" than the 2500mAh version (positive end). The rest is the same.
Capacity test: ★★★★★
BTone 2500mAh version:
I have used my Imax B6 to test them. Take into account that, I still dont know to use it completely, and I have issues with the "delta peak" charging Ni-Mh batteries, so...
The procedure of charging and discharging has been made in this way:
Discharge: 0,5A down to 0,9v
Charge: 0,5A up to fully charged (some problems with the "delta peak" and the Imax, but not due to to batteries itself, I still trying to solve that issue... maybe the nedymiun magnets and the springs I use with the imax...)
The first pack has this measurements of voltage:
When received (charged from factory): 1.297 1.298 1.298 1.299
After the first charge:.................
After a day (first cycle):.................
First discharge (from factory) at 0,5A down to 0,9v:
687 mAh
707 mAh
717 mAh
706 mAh
Second discharge:
2192 mAh
2182 mAh
2213 mAh
2170 mAh
This is starting to show good results
Third discharge:
2181 mAh
2170 mAh
2206 mAh
2160 mAh
Capacity does not increase? Curious
Fourth discharge:
2232 mAh
Fifth discharge:
2270 mAh
BTone 2100mAh version:
First discharge down to 0,9v @0,5A (charged from factory)
537
548
549
613
1532
1571
See that the 4 first ones are from the x4 pack and the 2 last ones are from the x2 pack. Curious
Second down to 0,9v @0,5A (charged by me at 0,5A)
1902
1917
1925
1881
1885
1887
Capacity is growing up to the adecuate levels.....
Third discharge down to 0,9v @0,5A (charged by me at 0,5A)
1904
1923
1930
1885
1888
1888
Fourth discharge:
1858
Fifth discharge:
1976
Low Self Discharge test:
I will try to test them after a year resting with no use. I will try to keep at least 2 of them without being used. Completely charged and not used in a year, then check their voltage and their capacity after a discharge test in the Imax.
In a short-time period, lets say a week, they seem to keep the charge very well.
BTone AA 2100mAh
Link (pack of 2) - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rechargeable-1-2v-2000mah-ni-mh-aa-batteries-pair-91267?r=43033281
Link (pack of 4) - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/btone-rechargeable-1-2v-2100mah-aa-batteries-4-piece-pack-91886?r=43033281
FYI, no load voltages were:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months (1.330v, 1.319v, 1.309v, 1.307v, 1.301v, 1.300v)
Measured capacity - 1930mAh
Remaining after six months - 1725mAh
So it has about 89% of it´s capacity still available after 6 months.
BTone AA 2500mAh
Link - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rechargeable-1-2v-2500mah-aa-batteries-4-piece-pack-91363?r=43033281
FYI, no load voltages were:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months (1.337v, 1.327v, 1.315v, 1.310v, 1.308v, 1.304v)
Measured capacity - 2276mAh
Remaining after six months - 1981mAh
So it has about 87% of it´s capacity still available after 6 months.
Video showing packaging and batteries, 2500mA version:
Video showing packaging and batteries, 2100mA version: