Rechargable Batteries

I think I have found the best rechargable batteries out there, and a charger to match.

The problem with most rechargable batteries is that they self-discharge. Charge up a set of nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries, stick them in a drawer for a month, and then try to use them. They will be mostly dead. All batteries self discharge over time, but there is a chemical quirk in nickel rechargables that kills them off in a matter of weeks.

Except, I'm glad to say, for a battery with the Seussian name of Eneloop. Sanyo makes them, and so far they have lived up to their promise for me. They claim to retain an 85% charge after one year. I have a set in my LED-converted Maglite that have been sitting around in my coat pocket for a couple of months without a recharge, and they still make it shine.

 

Of course, a set of good batteries with a stupid charger is a waste. A lot of cheap chargers for AA and AAA batteries are just voltage sources. They plow the juice into the batteries with no regard for how those batteries are taking it. Soon you have expensive little dead batteries.

I'd recommend the LaCrosse technologies BC-700 smart charger. It allows you to charge four batteries at once, each with a customized setting, if necessary. It has a discharge and refresh cycle, and lets you see how many milliamp-hours you have put into each battery. This is a useful way to tell if a battery needs a refresh cycle; when a 2000 mAh battery goes from dead to full with 1000 mAh, you have a problem.

Eneloop AA batteries sell on Amazon and Ebay for around $10-$14 for a 4-pack. The BC-700 can be found in the same places and others, generally between $25 and $40. As always, look out for the shipping charges on small stuff like this.