Rechargeable Batteries and charger

Lone Kimono
Lone Kimono Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Hi, I'm new to the forum and hope you all can help me. I'm sure it's been covered before, but what are the best rechargeable AA and AAA batteries? Also, what's the best means of charging them? I've seen some chargers and some solar rolls on amazon, but have gotten lost trying to pick one out. Thanks!
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    I think the best batteries are name brand, or store brand, that carries a name you can remember. Forget "Super Tiger" and other off brands.

    As for chargers, I like the Maha brand, with individual charger channels for each battery. If you have a 3 cell flashlight, and your charger only charges pairs, what do you do ??
    Many of the chargers have a lighter cord, for automotive use, and you can use any 12V source for them.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Lone Kimono
    Lone Kimono Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭
    #3
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    No, I totally agree! The one you suggested is even a better price than an Ansmann solar 16 I was looking at.

    So, how much does the charger itself make an impact? Also, there are so many different solar rolls and panels out there how do you pick one?
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,642 admin
    #4
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    Battery wise, the sanyo Enloops nmhi are some of the best at roughly $2-$3 per AA cell.

    Kodak and others also make these newer type of cells which can hold 80% of a charge after one year unlike typical nmhi which may completely self discharge in a month or two.

    Also, 2,500 mah or larger nimh batteries are usually not going to last very long in service.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Lone Kimono
    Lone Kimono Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭
    #5
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    Forgive me for asking I'm trying to learn as fast as I can, but there is a lot to take in. Are these new cells you spoke off still nmhi or something else? If I don't buy the Kodak brand is there a way of knowing if they have the new cells?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    the new cells (NiMh) are labeled with buzzwords like :
    Long shelf life
    Always charged
    holds charge for a year
    Ready to use

    They however, need to be recharged overnight, a fast charge (2 hours) will ruin them.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Lone Kimono
    Lone Kimono Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭
    #7
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    Wonderful, thank you so much! That really helps!

    As for the solar charger to go with them would either of these be acceptable?

    http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-90599.html

    http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Watt-Foldable-Solar-Array/dp/B000GEFFBO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1290104074&sr=8-10
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger
    Lone Kimono wrote: »
    Wonderful, thank you so much! That really helps!

    As for the solar charger to go with them would either of these be acceptable?

    http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-90599.html

    http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Watt-Foldable-Solar-Array/dp/B000GEFFBO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1290104074&sr=8-10


    Brunton - 26 watt @ 12V = 2A so you could likely power a Maha charger with 2 or 3 batteries in it

    Harbor Freight 45W = 3.5 a if it actually works.

    I'd go for the Amazon one, and a Maha charger. That combo has a chance of working
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,642 admin
    #9
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    Sanyo has a nice website for their Eneloop brand:

    www.eneloop.info

    And they have a technical discussion about the differences between standard and low self discharge types.

    Lastly, be very aware there has been a huge problem with counterfeit NiMH rechargeable batteries (counterfeit eneloop as an example).

    Some are off-brands and some are even alkaline no-rechargeable marked as NiMH rechargeable cells...

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Lone Kimono
    Lone Kimono Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭
    #10
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    Thank you so much for all the help!!!
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  • notsobright
    notsobright Solar Expert Posts: 247 ✭✭
    #11
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    Mike, I think it was you that suggested the Maha brand last year when I was looking around, I ended up getting this one:

    http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=178

    very happy with it and so are all my AA and AAAs so thanks for that suggestion again.

    some one here also passed along this link for more info on them which is extensive info on rechargables and chargers. great resource here:

    http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9

    its info overload there so be sure to read the top sticky for finding the info you need.
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  • Shadowcatcher
    Shadowcatcher Solar Expert Posts: 228 ✭✭✭
    #12
    Re: Rechargeable Batteries and charger

    I will bear witness to the Maha charger and batteries being good quality.
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