Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 21

I know there's a thread out there talking about rechargeable batteries, but I didn't see where specific brands were recommended. Are there any differences between the NiMH brands or are they pretty much the same?

Thanks.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Ingleside, Tx
Posts: 68

I'd go to the website and decide for yourself. Both of the AAA look good. I opted for the one which charges to 650 mA.

BOL

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 30

I'm sorry, which website?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Urbana IL
Posts: 144

Check the thread...its there. (really!)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 21

Here are the two sites that I could find in the other threads -
http://www.nimhbattery.com http://www.batteryshack.com/batteries.html

I still stand by my original question. Is there any significant difference between the various brands? I doubt it's a big deal, but just curious to hear from everyone.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 11

I have not yet received my visor yet. I have been using Nexcell batteries from www.nimhbattery.com. They are excellent. They cost only $2.50 each vs $4-5.00 at retail. Check it out

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 62

I've used NiMh batteries for my RC aircraft and transmitters and have had great luck with them. NiMh have anywhere from 50-100% more power density than Alkaline batteries. and a very flat, long discharge profile. They also have no memory effect like NiCads do. I have 3 sets of Nexcells and a charger waiting for my Visor to arrive. I purchase them at http://thomas-distributing.com (no connection with them).

They have a pretty good technical link at http://thomas-distributing.com/techfacts.htm

I just checked the link to nimhbattery.com and it is the same place. Whoa!

[This message has been edited by beaker (edited 11-15-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 187

I have had excellent luck with NEXcell NiMh batteries. The charger will be your major expense, but you will save a bundle in the long run.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

staad,

Which charger do you use? I'm wondering if the Nexcell NiMhs can be charged with a 5-hour RadioShack charger. (I've been buying RadioShack cells, but they're EXPENSIVE compared to Nexcell. When I saw how cheap those were my jaw dropped. I've been paying $5/cell.)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 187

I use 2 different kinds, both by Maha. The MH-C204F quick charger is great when you need to get your batteries back in service quickly, and the MH-C124S is a slow charger that is easier on the batteries. Both work well. I think there have been a couple of posts of vendors. I have used thomas-distributing and bills2way. Both were quick shippers with fair prices.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

Oops. There is one important point worth making here regarding my RadioShack cells: the AAAs are 1200 mAh, which is nearly twice the capacity of the AAA Nexcell cells (650 mAh) that I saw on Thomas Distributing http://www.nimhbattery.com/nexcell-aaa-t.htm That explains the price difference.

Staad, how many hours do your cells last you?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 187

From what I have read in the tech notes, there is no way that the Rat Shack AAA's are 1200 mil's. They are 1200 mV, but not 1200 mAh. That would mean that they would fast charge at the same current rate as a AA, and I just don't buy that. Either someone is REALLY off on their data, or they are using the AA data for the AAA's.

The NEXcell batteries are rated at nominal capacity, which means that is the worst that you will get. Depending upon the application, I usually get the same usable life from a NEXcell as I do from a standard battery. The NiMH batteries have a lower initial voltage (1.2V vs. 1.5V) but they retain that voltage for a longer period of time. Regular batteries have a sloping discharge profile. They may start out at 1.5V, and they drain from there.

One problem with PDA's is that they calculate the battery life and warn you of failure at a threshold that is far too high for NiMH cells. In other words, when 2 regular batteries drop to 2.4 volts, you're starting to get a little low. With a NiMH, you're fully charged with a lot of power left. There are hacks out there to adjust for the difference in voltage, but Palm and HS both advise against using them.

To make a long story short, I get about a month or less with either throw away or NiMH batteries in Palm PDA's. We'll have to see if they perform as well in the Visor. I suspect that I will get about the same.

[This message has been edited by staad (edited 11-16-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Columbus, Ohio USA
Posts: 255

I don't get THAT good performance with my Nexcell AAA batteries, but they're used quite a bit.

I changed the battery profile to rechargable alkaline and it seems to be a better indicator of power. When I first got the visor I went through 2 batteries (nimh) in less than a week.. but we're talking major hotsyncs, entering lots of things, LOTS of game playing (especially my gf..)

I think NiMH batteries take a few charges/drains to do a good job. This week I've had the same ones in for a longer period of time, even with the woman playing mad amounts of solitaire.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

Staad,

Whoa. My apologies. You're right, someone in RatShack messed up on the package design-side. On the package it's marked 1200 mAh (!), but on the battery it's a much more realistic 550 mAh. Thank you for prompting that double-check. Now Nexcell is looking rather appealing afterall.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

Staad,

Whoa. My apologies. You're right, someone in RatShack messed up on the package design-side. On the package it's marked 1200 mAh (!), but on the battery it's a much more realistic 550 mAh. Thank you for prompting that double-check. Now Nexcell is looking rather appealing afterall.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 187

Maybe we can start a legal action against Rat Shack!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

oh boy! After voicing threat of FTC action against HS, NO ONE IS SAFE FROM VC MEMBERS!

(*joke--okay folks?)

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 16

I was impressed by the Maha chargers at http://www.nimhbattery.com, especially the 204F fast charger. Does anyone know how much battery life reduction I can expect from a fast charger (500ma) vs. a trickle charger (under 50ma or so)? By battery life I mean the number of recharges I can get before the battery needs to be disposed of, not the life of a single charge.

[This message has been edited by StressJunkie (edited 11-18-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

hhmmm... StressJunkie...you didn't pay attention to their "people worry too much about lifespan" business, did you? ...just kidding. I fret about that too.

I know I read somewhere on their pages that the 204F will give somewhere around 500 cycles, while the slow charger gives anywhere from 500 to 1000 cycles.

[This message has been edited by ragamuffinn (edited 11-18-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 9

I bought the Radio Shack they had a dual purpose charger and 4 AA batteries for $20. I have devises that use AA batts. I then purchased. AAA's at $9.99 a pack. There is a 10% discount if you take their charge card.
The Nimh charge is 13 hours though so you need 2 sets.
Mike