Rechargeable Batteries questions

[Bodhbh]

The last thing you want is for your lights to pack up unexpectedly. Speaking of which... NiMH die very suddenly! You don't get much warning when they are becoming discharged because they hold their voltage up well into the discharge cycle.

Actually I think it's a good thing at least verus the regular duracells I was using on the Fenix. The light output would taper out gradually over the whole battery life, to the point it was useless over a good portion of the battery life and dangerous as with being gradual you didn't quickly notice it.

Those eneloop things sound worth a punt. Been trying the NiMH ones, as main batteries and as pannier spares. Last night put the pannier spares in for a recharge and they were still charging this morning. Obviously lost alot of charge, think must been approx 2 weeks in the pannier.

 

[fossyant]

The Eneloops are also known as Hybrid batteries due to them holding charge for long periods. I use Panasonic Infiniums (2000) in my camera due to 'long' periods of not being in use.

For my commuting lights it's 2500's AA's and 1000 AAA's as they are recharged regularly.

A must is a smart charger, and if possible, one that will charge each cell independently. 7dayshop is a good cheap source of batteries and chargers.

 

[MajorMantra]

Thanks all, I'm a bit clearer about a few things now.

Welcome to MajorMantra too .

Thanks.

Matthew

 

[threefingerjoe]

I only have a 5 mile commute, but use NiMH batteries in my lights. They're always cold in the winter, as they spend the night in the garage with the bike. I can go about 2 1/2 weeks between charges. I've been using them for about 3 years, and, so far, I'm happy with them.

ONE MORE THING on NiMH batteries. They aren't really 1.5 volts per cell, as most batteries are. They are 1.2 volts. So, if you have a "Charge Battery" indicator on your light, it may tell you to recharge before the battery really needs it. I usually put them on the charger when the "charge" indictor light comes on, but have forgotten, on occasion, and rode 3 consecutive commutes with that indicator light on, and light was still bright. However, as someone mentioned, when they finally reach the end, they die FAST!

 

[andrew_s]

Actually I think it's a good thing at least verus the regular duracells I was using on the Fenix. The light output would taper out gradually over the whole battery life, to the point it was useless over a good portion of the battery life and dangerous as with being gradual you didn't quickly notice it.

As well as the slow fade that you don't notice, the other problem with alkaline batteries is that they recover a bit with a rest, so if you check they work OK just before you start riding they may well look bright, only to fade to very dim within 10 minutes. It's better to check brightness when turning off at the end of a ride and do something straight away if they aren't good enough.

With NiMH rechargeables, it's better to charge them before they start to run dim, especially if your light takes more than two. They don't like being run too flat at the best of times, and if (eg) one is worse than the other 3 you may not notice dimness until the one is completely flat and already damaged by being reverse charged.

 

[jimboalee]

Please, please Administrator.

There is a .pdf on Eveready Energizer website which details all one needs to know about NiMh battries.

I have already posted it twice and no one seems to heed it.

Can you put it as a 'Sticky'.

 

[marinyork]

People can easily read for themselves if they research it jim. This site asks for opinions.