What rechargeable batteries do you have on board and what do we need in the future.

[fuss]

I have AA and AAA, nothing else so as to avoid complication.

Do we need to start considering 3.7v AA Type 14500 batteries for example or should we ignore these new technologies for the moment?

 

[nigelmercier]

I don't think AA or AAA rechargeable batteries are worth having; for a start the voltage is too low in a torch. I have bought a torch that uses 14500 or AA, so will give the 14500 a try.

Batteries: http://amzn.to/1iOOjnD
Charger: http://amzn.to/1m7pkkb
Note: this has 230V and 12V inputs, as well as a cover which allows the temperature measurement to be more accurate.

 

[Sandy]

I am moving as much as I can to lithuim and charge them from the cigar lighter thingi bob.

 

[Vara]

I've given up on rechargeables for the boat, self discharge and low voltage being the problem.

With alkaline cells being relatively cheap now and with a long shelf life it's not worth the effort and extra kit required.

In fact I've got a drawer full of rechargeables and chargers which any body is welcome too,for the price of postage.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I've got four damn great lead/acid ones. Does that count?

 

[vyv_cox]

I've given up on rechargeables for the boat, self discharge and low voltage being the problem.

With alkaline cells being relatively cheap now and with a long shelf life it's not worth the effort and extra kit required.

In fact I've got a drawer full of rechargeables and chargers which any body is welcome too,for the price of postage.

Yes, that's my experience too. I had six rechargable AAs in a roberts radio when it was still possible to pick up shortwave BBC broadcasts. I was recharging them every day or two despite only listening briefly.

 

[fuss]

But eneloop rechargables hold their charge, thats what I have and they're fine. Just glue one of the small chargers somewhere and you nearly never have to buy AA or AAA normal batteries again.

 

[noelex]

Lithium 18650 and 14500 are generally superior batteries for those devices that will accept them.

They do need careful charging and occasionally explode, or catch fire. For most users AA Eneloops batteries are better choice. These are safe.

 

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

Ultrafire Li cells for the torches (the very big ones) and commercial bulk alkaline cells for every thing else (about 5p each)

 

[planteater]

Another vote for Sanyo Eneloop AA's. Not cheap but they work in my camera, flashgun, handheld VHF, tranny radio, GPS and mini torch. Also use them at work for radio mics and portable studio gear.

 

[alahol2]

Another vote for the eneloop type batteries. Panasonic Evolta are another similar type with the same properties.

 

[KellysEye]

>I've given up on rechargeables for the boat, self discharge and low voltage being the problem.

I did exactly the same for the same reason.

 

[chuzzlewit]

My 12V rechargeable starting aid (BFP-D . BJ.2002) is about the size of a woman's hand bag. It's a really useful mobile power source for the dinghy pump, soldering iron, vacuum cleaner, electric drill and any emergency electrical need.

 

[noelex]

The Eneloops are a low self discharge battery. They advertise 75% capacity after 3 years in storage.
I don't usually go this long between recharges, but after a year or so the batteries still measure a genuine 75% in mostly quite warm storage conditions.

The nominal 1.2 voltage is lower than dry cells at 1.5v, but the voltage drop under load is much less. They also retain this voltage close to full discharge. so that at moderate discharges (or low discharge currents close to 0% SOC) the rechargable battery voltage will be higher.

I think a lot of people that have been put off rechargeable batteries would change their mind if they used some of the good quality LSD batteries like the Eneloops with a good charger.

 

[jackho]

I have AA and AAA, nothing else so as to avoid complication.

Do we need to start considering 3.7v AA Type 14500 batteries for example or should we ignore these new technologies for the moment?

I have 12 AA recharable 2000ma same aaa 1500ma -12v 1hr charger. Adaptors to convert AA to D1 and D2. - 12v (AA) pack. All my torches and lts are LED's so don't have a problem there. Also carry 12v Start pack with 3-6-9v outlets. and wind up led torch with Mob. phone charger outlets

 

[alahol2]

>I've given up on rechargeables for the boat, self discharge and low voltage being the problem.

I did exactly the same for the same reason.

The point about eneloop/evolta/etc type batteries is that self discharge is minimal. Probably better than an alkaline cell over extended periods. I regularly charge my cells and then don't use them for a month or more. They are fully functional after that length of time.

 

[nigelmercier]

For those who want to try Eneloop batteries, here are some links to the "high capacity" 2400 mAh charger and batteries:

Sanyo charger MQR06-E-4-3UWXB: http://amzn.to/1et5Cr7
Sanyo Eneloop HR-3UWXB-4BP AA Mignon Batteries (Pack of 4): http://amzn.to/1cySSUO

Total cost almost £50. I can get 400 Ikea batteries for that, and I don't have to pay for the electricity to charge them.

 

[Alpha22]

I have a bunch of Eneloops for the camera flash and stuff, but use bulk commercial alkaline for most other stuff. Generally keep a box on the boat as well as a few at home.

 

[alahol2]

Total cost almost £50. I can get 400 Ikea batteries for that, and I don't have to pay for the electricity to charge them.

Or, if you just want to test the claims, try

Charger http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-battery-charger-600lcd-intelligent-super-fast-with-3-power-options-for-ni-mh-aa-and-aaa-sizes?backUrl=L2JhdHRlcmllcy1wb3dlci1jaGFyZ2Vycy9iYXR0ZXJ5LWNoYXJnZXJzLWFuZC10ZXN0ZXJz
Batteries http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-good-to-go-rechargeable-aa-hr6-mn1500-nimh-batteries-2150mah-4-pack?backUrl=L2JhdHRlcmllcy1wb3dlci1jaGFyZ2Vycy9yZWNoYXJnZWFibGUtYmF0dGVyaWVz

£16 and you are saving the planet

 

[charles_reed]

I've given up on rechargeables for the boat, self discharge and low voltage being the problem.

With alkaline cells being relatively cheap now and with a long shelf life it's not worth the effort and extra kit required.

In fact I've got a drawer full of rechargeables and chargers which any body is welcome too,for the price of postage.

An interesting opinion - there are a number of long-life NiMH about based on Sanyo Eneloop technology - more expensive than conventional NiMH and offering 70% charge at the end of 12-months. They still only offer 1.5v immediately after charging and drop to 1.3v @ about 50%.
The high-capacity AAA NiMh cells are exceptionally prone to losing charge - for this reason I gave up on them many years ago - in some ways old-fashioned cadmium cells are better.
14500 batteries are Li-ion technology and rated @ 3.7 volts - no doubt the reason Nigel likes them for his torches (I wonder about bulb-life) - definitely no-no for LEDs designed for conventional 1.5v batteries or anything else that can't accommodate overvoltage.
It would be useful to have Troubador's input - unlike most expressing and opinion on this, he actually knows something about re-chargeables.

If you're a long-term anchoring liveaboard, there's still a place for NiMH batteries which can be readily recharged from 12V sources but, in the final analysis, TCO has to be the criterion - even buying professional alkalines @ trade price throw-aways only match up in 40% of applications.