Review: Btone AA batteries

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/rechargeable-1-2v-2000mah-ni-mh-aa-batteries-pair-91267 Link to :


I saw the Btone AA's on DX and after reading a few user tests , thought I would invest in a pair . On removal from the packet , I discharged the batteries at 500mA to see how much current remained , the batteries returned 1551mAh and 1558mAh . I then charged the batteries at one amp till completed , removed them from the charger , and rested them for 30 minutes . I then discharged the batteries at one amp , and the batteries returned 1917mAh and 1931mAh . Im sure if I had allowed the batteries to charge at a slower rated and allowed them to be topped up , I may have seen 2000mAh capacity ...




I dont read Chinese , but these cells are being reported as LSD [ Low Self Discharge ] and from the very limited time I had these batteries sitting waiting for the discharge test [ 5 days ] they held up very well ...

I compared the Btone to the Rayovac 4.0 - GP Recyko and Eneloop . After charging the 4 batteries , I let them rest for 5 days , and the resting voltages were :

Rayovac 4.0 = 1.37v

CP Recyko = 1.37v

Eneloop = 1.36v

Btone = 1.39v


I then ran some discharge tests in 5 flashlights to see how well the batteries discharged current :




Well , there you go :


So far looks like money well spent , only time will tell how well the battery will stand up to everyday use , but in these tests the Btone battery has held its own rather well ..

2

This sounds really good. Maybe a alternativ to the other brands. I hope they will be as good as now in the furure.

For people who need more, here is the link to 4er pack.

2 pieces price (bulkrate): $5,70 ($4,87 / $4,77 / $4,67)

4 pieces price (bulkrate): $10,20 ($8,95 / $8,85 / $8,75)

3

Interesting alternative to Turnigy LSD batteries (Hobbyking) and similary priced too.

4

Interesting test results.

I once ordered "eNitime" AAA batts, they seemed to by OK also, I measured capacity to be close to what Eneloops holp.

IMO the price on these is so close to Eneloops, I think I will still stick to them.

5

Google translation:

"Brilliant source (BTONE) significantly improved the "self-discharge" of negative features, common to place one year after the nickel-metal hydride battery remaining capacity is almost zero, while the times to place one year after the special source of power could meet 80% of the remaining. In addition, in an environment of 20 degrees Celsius, this battery power loss of only 20%, while the voltage drop is small. Times more valuable is the special source can be recharged 1000 times, not only to reduce the harm to the environment, the user's life is also an effective protection".

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=zh-CN&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.btone.com.cn%2FEn%2FProductShow.aspx%3FChannelID%3D3%26ProductID%3D7

6

Huh. The BTOne batteries tend to get pretty awful reviews, but if old4570 says the new ones are good they must be good.

7

These are more expensive than the Topcraft "ready to use" from Aldi, and it seems that they have the same capacity. The Topcrafts cost 4,99 euro (4 pack AA or AAA).

Fresh out of the package @ 1000mA discharge:

battery 1 : 1516mAh
battery 2 : 1556mAh
battery 3 : 1537mAh
battery 4 : 1553mAh

After Refresh/Analyze (MH-C9000 @ 1000mA charge and 500mA discharge):

battery 1 : 1953mAh
battery 2 : 1958mAh
battery 3 : 1910mAh
battery 4 : 1975mAh

The only problem is that they only sell these 2 times a year, and you can not order them online. And i don't think there are Aldi's all over the world...

8

In Germany the batteries of Aldi looks different.

Aldi expand in many countries (many european countriesy have Aldi, and USA and Australia, too).

9

Lidl also has those Red Tronics.

I tested AAA and got good results. They were also cheap, 4€/4pcs or so.

It´s funny, you can get those regular cheap NiMh´s and there´s like no bottom in the well of how bad they can perform...

And yet if you get even cheapish LSD-cells, they seem to be quite ok... Confusing. Assuming that they really are LSD.

10

Hmm, interesting alternative to Eneloops. I'm always interested in seeing good deals on LSD NiMHs. But I think I would spend the additional $4 and buy Eneloops, because they are proven and don't cost much more.

Thanks for the great review! Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.

11

Thanks old4570!

12

I had similar results from a pair I bought. Seem to be LSD. They have hidden vents.

13

@ Buwuve:

If they look like this, then they are a little better :

The "Pre charged" is from last year, the capacity is a little bit higher:

After the first refresh/analyze:

(there are 2 AA's and 2 AAA's on the photo, but this is the test of 4 AA batteries)

Battery 1: 2054mAh
Battery 2: 2073mAh
Battery 3: 2078mAh
Battery 4: 2019mAh

After one more refresh/analyze:

Battery 1: 2055mAh
Battery 2: 2096mAh
Battery 3: 2079mAh
Battery 4: 2096mAh

The AAA's are very good too.

14

@Hobbyfotograaf

Thank you for the picture. The next Aldi to me sold this batteries of ACTIV:

http://www.aldi-sued.de/de/html/offers/58_27502.htm

In Germany are two ALDI groups and each has special brands. ALDI Nord (has TopCraftt) and ALDI Süd (has ACTIV) - the founders of ALDI were two brothers and the decided to share Germany in two part. One of the brother controll the north, the other the south. They expand in different countries, Belgium is part of ALDI Nord.

15

In fact, these cost even more than Eneloops: http://eu.nkon.nl/sanyo-eneloop-aa-aaa-batteries.html

After shipping added, there´s only a small difference.

16

14 posts discussing LSD batteries and no measurement or even mention of the actual self discharge?

17

good result. I feel you are very professional.

18

Look at the DX-link and you will notice date stamps under "post a new topic".

It would not be much use IMO, to post self-discharge specs for like under 1 month period of time... (item has not been at DX for long, I bet old has had it even for less time...)

19

The Aldi LSD batteries have really low selfdischarge, but i did not measure the selfdischarge.

I use the green ones for more than two years, and they are still very good (the capacity is about the same as when they were new). And they are always "ready to use" when i need them in the external flash (Canon 430 EX II and 580 EX). I just keep the batteries in the camerabag, and use them when they are needed. Never had any problem with selfdischarged Aldi LSD batteries.

I still have a set of the Ready to use AA's in the original package, i bought these in june. I can test the capacity (out of the package, without charging) of these and compare them to the others wich i have tested in june. If the capacity of these are about the same, then the selfdischarge is low. I will put them in the Maha right now and post the results later.

Here are the results of the Top Craft Ready To Use, that i bought a few months ago.

This is the capacity of the batteries, right out of the package, to check if they are really LSD’s.

Discharged @ 1000mA.

Battery 1: 1423mAh

Battery 2: 1533mAh

Battery 3: 1451mAh

Battery 4: 1505mAh

That is about the same as the ones I tested a few months ago, so these are really LSD batteries.

20

The batteries were manufactured 10- 06. If we assume they were charged and packaged at the same time then they are over 12 months old so must be lsd to

have 80% of their charge left.