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

[nigelmercier]

... Sanyo Eneloop ... They still only offer 1.5v immediately ...
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 ...

Eneloop batteries are 1.2V (at 90% charge), not 1.5V. Not bright enough in a standard multiple cell torch.

The LED torches that take single 14500 or AA batteries have a boost regulator in them, so no problems with over-voltage.

Eneloop batteries claim "up to 500" charge cycles, and cost over £3 each, plus the cost of the charger and the electricity it uses, especially if left on charge. I prefer the option of buying Ikea batteries at 12.5p each.

Refs:
http://www.eneloop.info/eneloop-products/eneloop-batteries/eneloop-xx.html
http://www.eneloop.info/home/technology/capacity.html

 

[tawhiri]

This is the general problem. NiMh batteries are 1.4V when fully charged and 1.2 volts when half charged. The cheep AA non-chargable batteries are 1.5V when fully charged and 1.2V when flat.
This means most electronics could see a dead NiMh battery even if it is still half full.

 

[charles_reed]

Eneloop batteries are 1.2V (at 90% charge), not 1.5V. Not bright enough in a standard multiple cell torch.

The LED torches that take single 14500 or AA batteries have a boost regulator in them, so no problems with over-voltage.

Eneloop batteries claim "up to 500" charge cycles, and cost over £3 each, plus the cost of the charger and the electricity it uses, especially if left on charge. I prefer the option of buying Ikea batteries at 12.5p each.

Refs:
http://www.eneloop.info/eneloop-products/eneloop-batteries/eneloop-xx.html
http://www.eneloop.info/home/technology/capacity.html

Sorry to have to correct you but my measurements are factual and not lifted off the internet, I don't know where you're buying your "eneloop" batteries from but I've never paid more than £1.50 each.
However, chacun a son gout.

 

[nigelmercier]

Sorry to have to correct you but my measurements are factual and not lifted off the internet, I don't know where you're buying your "eneloop" batteries from but I've never paid more than £1.50 each...

My information was taken directly from the Eneloop site I gave as references, see the graph. They start at 1.45V with a 100% charge but rapidly decline to 1.25V.

I'm sure you can get cheaper clones, I was talking about genuine Eneloop XX cells.

 

[noelex]

The important voltage is voltage under load.
For low power devices alkaline batteries will have a slightly higher voltage, but for higher power devices rechargeable batteries have a higher voltage.

Thus for high power torches for example the maximum brightness will be higher on rechargeable batteries. Likewise flash guns will usually recycle quicker on rechargble batteries.

On low power devices the battery voltage will be lower with rechargble batteries, but it is very rare to find a device that will not run satisfactorily. Unregulated low power LEDs are an exception (they will be duller)and in many cases if there is a battery capacity meter this will not work with rechargble batteries.

 

[fuss]

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.

Another important point on cheap batteries...
These days many torches and devices onboard drain their batteries far less than in the old days before led etc. This means that some of your torches may keep the same batteries far longer.
Eneloop batteries do not leak and damage your devices. Cheap batteries may leak... do you want to take that risk!