Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 5

I was just at my local Target looking for rechargable batteries for my Platinum. I found that Energizer and Rayovac both had NiMH and they were exactly the same price. Does anyone have experience with either of these and have a preference. It looks like the Energizer are a little more powerful according to the specs on the package. Which should I get? Thanks - Jim

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 20

Ray-o-Vac

I use Ray-O-Vac because their charger allows you to recharge all of their batteries. NiCad, NiMH and rechargeable alkalines. Since I use all three kinds for different purposes it is convenient. I use AAA NiMH's in my digital audio player and rechargeable alkaline AA's in my cameras for warm weather and NiCad's for cold weather. I also use rechargeable alkaline AA's and AAA's in all my all too numerous remotes. If the energizers have a higher mah rating then they should give you a longer run time per charge, but it may or may not be significantly different. I have a Prism so I do not use separate batteries. Hope this helps.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: New Palestine, Indiana
Posts: 70

I use both and rotate them. I don't know which lasts longer but I install runtime and let you know.

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<b>Clark Fralick</b>

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: "Children are a gift from God, they are a reward"
Posts: 1049

I don't use either, I use Radio Shack's Nimhs. I've been using the same two pair for quite a while. I usually have to trade them out about once a week.
Michael

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 216

I use GE/Sanyo NiMHs. They have a capacity of 700mAhrs. Most other NiMH AAA batteries have 550 to 650mAhr capacities. I also have some non-branded 650mAhr and 600mAhr NiMH batteries. The shorter battery life of the 600s versus the 700s is very noticable.

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

Rayovac just sent me a whole load of coupons, so you can guess who I'm going with..

Now.. how did I get on that mailing list?!?

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-miradu

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 501

High-Capacity NiMHs

quote:

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Originally posted by MPM
I use GE/Sanyo NiMHs. They have a capacity of 700mAhrs. Most other NiMH AAA batteries have 550 to 650mAhr capacities.

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Jeff Meyer

"And he died like he lived: with his mouth wide open."

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 32

quote:

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Postscript: If you use the high-capacity NiMH batteries (I use the high-capacity Mahas), you need a charger that has a high-capacity setting.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 501

quote:

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Originally posted by bookrats

Postscript: If you use the high-capacity NiMH batteries (I use the high-capacity Mahas), you need a charger that has a high-capacity setting.

Still think the Radio Shack $15 wall charger is the most solid charger I've run into...


Originally posted by mblair
bookrats - where did you come across this info? I'm not doubting you, I just am curious since I recently bought a Maxell charger, and have charged the Energizers with it. The Energizers are rated 700 maH, and the Maxells are rated 550 maH I think.

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Jeff Meyer

"And he died like he lived: with his mouth wide open."

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 216

quote:

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Originally posted by bookrats
<snip>...The low-capacity/high capacity switch on my charger tells the charger's built in "battery meter" how far (or how long?) to "fill it up" to. If I have it switched to low capacity, it charges it for a shorter time than it does for high capacity.

Now, for people who really understand how batteries work: does that make sense?

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 200

The Energizer charger I just saw could charge not only AA/AAA but also 9V batteries. The Rayovac charger next to it couldn't. Of course I personally haven't seen a 9V device in years, but maybe it's a consideration for some folks.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 501

quote:

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Originally posted by MPM


The Radio Shack charger is very primative. It is using a simple timer to end the charge cycle. It does not seem to be doing any automatic sensing of when the battery has been fully charged. Hence the two timer settings.

I have a Maha MH-C204F NiMH/NiCd battery charger. It it an intellegent fast charger and will automatically terminate the charge cycle when the battery is fully charged. It does this by monitoring the battery voltage as it charges. When the battery voltage stops rising and then drops a bit, the battery is full and the charger reverts to a low current trickle/top-off charge. No need for a high/low capacity setting.
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I purchased a Maha charger for my NiMH batteries (and I still use Maha batteries) when I first bought my Visor. (From Thomas Distributing.)

It is indeed more sophisticated, and a faster charger. However, the one I bought wasn't sturdy. I spent a month having to bend the battery contacts back in place; and the plastic lid broke off after about a week.

About a month later I gave away the Maha charger away and bought the Radio Shack wall charger (for about $15.) The contacts and construction are much sturdier, and I haven't had to fiddle with it at all. And I prefer a slow charger -- the batteries don't get as warm, which I understand can cause the batteries to age more rapidly.

As you say, it's dumber; but since I use the same batteries all the time, I don't need to ever change the settings on the unit. If I had a slew of gadgets with different batteries and settings, or had to have them recharged quickly (like professional photographers, who go through a slew of them during the day), I could see the advantages.

I guess you could say I like 'em dumb and slow...

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Jeff Meyer

"And he died like he lived: with his mouth wide open."