Eneloop AA and AAA Batteries

[MtnDon]

I recently discovered these batteries and I am very pleased. Introduced 10 years ago by Sanyo and now sold under the Panasonic name. (where was I? Why did it take me a decade to discover them?)

These are rechargeable NiMH, nickel metal hydride, batteries. These are low self discharge NiMH. I used NiMH back in 2000 when we got our first digital camera. Back then their main fault was that when left sitting for a month they lost almost about 25% of their capacity due to high self discharge. Not these newer low self discharge ones. One thing that has always been good about NiMH is they can supply much more current than alkaline batteries. That has not changed.

Over the years the number of times the Eneloops can be recharged has increased from 1000 to 2000 or more. They have a capacity of 2000 mAh which is not bad. Maybe not as high as some good alkaline, but these are rechargeable. There are newer versions that advertise greater capacity.

There are some other brands out there but the Panasonic are recognized as being the best. maybe. The Amazon basics NiMH batteries are apparently re-badged Eneloops.

When you buy them they are precharged to between 60 to 80% charge. Using a solar powered factory. It takes several cycles to get them to supply the maximum capacity. They need a smart charger. Sanyo/Panasonic has a few; sometimes a charger and a pair of batteries is a good deal. LaCrosse makes several chargers which are smart, one can be used off 12 VDC. Some offer features that are useful. I have their "1000"model.

I've been using them in my newest high output AA flashlights. I am very pleased with the lights and the battery performance.

[JenniferandPups]

I was lucky enough to discover them 8 years or so back...they really are great batteries!

[Graniterich]

I found them years ago as well, very good batteries

[Shadow Catcher]

Who actually makes which battery would be a good study.
I found the Enloop batteries at Costco and have been using Powerwerk batteries for some years along with a Maha smart charger http://www.mahaenergy.com
I bought the professional charger as we do have one lantern that used D cells and lets you do a soft charge for longer battery life. So far none of the batteries have failed and we use them for most applications including TV remotes...

[mikeschn]

Good to know. I'll have to experiment with them!

Mike...

[Jack Olsen]

I use them with my headlamp, which would chew through AA's like a 4-year-old if I couldn't recharge again and again. I like 'em.

[lrrowe]

Good to know. I'll have to experiment with them!

Mike...

Me two. I never really researched batteries like this. Now if I could find a 3.7v one for my LED flashlights. I will look around.
Thanks for the post MtnDon.

[noseoil]

I've switched over to LED flashlights & use the 18650 lithium rechargeable type. These are 3.7 volt & take the place of 2 of the cr123 size batteries. Make sure the light diameter will take the 18mm size (cr123 is only 16.4mm) if you decide to go this route. They seem to last forever on a charge, then come right back after recharging for another long time. These are really good power sources & a bargain considering their ability to be recharged for many cycles.

I still need to get a few of the AA & AAA rechargeable sizes, but for LED flashlights, I won't go back to AA again.

[kludge]

Me two. I never really researched batteries like this. Now if I could find a 3.7v one for my LED flashlights. I will look around.
Thanks for the post MtnDon.

Do you mean these? If you looking for AA and AAA size lithium ion 3.7V batteries search for "14500" and "10440".

http://www.amazon.com/WAY%C2%AE4Pcs-Cap ... ium+ion+aa

http://www.amazon.com/Phoneix-Practical ... +ion+10440

[MtnDon]

A comment regarding those li-ion cells that were linked to.

1. The 10440 is almost certainly an unprotected cell. I say almost as I have never seen a protected 10440 and I have looked.

2. The 14500 could be protected but I don't see that info listed.

3. I would recommend thinking twice about using...
(a) unprotected Li-ion cells. These are lithium cobalt oxide cells and these are the ones that can and do burst into flames when mistreated.
(b) off brand or "no-name" cells. Most of the cells whose names end in "fire" are suspect. Suspect of shoddy manufacturing. I would not even use a protected xxxxfire cell anymore. I have tried some 16650's and 14500's and have had poor lifespans from them.



As for finding a 3.7 volt eneloop, that is not going to happen. The chemistry does not produce that sort of voltage; as it is eneloops have a lower voltage than a new alkaline. An option could be shorter eneloop cells so three would occupy the physical space of one 3.7 volt Li-ion. But I doubt that is practical as the mAh capacity would be very low. 18650 Li-ion cells (LiCO) are great cells for flashlights. IMO, you should use name brands and cells with the protection circuit boards. The best cells are made by Panasonic. Manufacturers like Olight, AW, Nitecore, Xtar and some others use the Panasonic cell and build their protected cells around them. IMO, the Li-ions that sell cheaply anywhere should be avoided.

[lrrowe]

MtnDon,
Again, you gave me another bit of education.
I never knew flashlight batteries could get complicated.
When I posted earlier that I could use some good replacements for my 3.7v batteries, I was talking about my Ultrafire ones just like these.
http://www.amazon.com/UltraFire-3000mAh ... afire+3.7v

After taking your comments and googling (taking a noun and making a verb out of it) I learned a little more about uprotected LI batteries. My UltraFires appear to be "unprotected".

I do not like them. I have had early discharge', i.e. short life cycle and some that are just plain DOA. I use them in flashlights only.

So now I know a little more about flashlight batteries.

[MtnDon]

It's just my opinion but I think that the UltraFire cells are actually UltraCrap. And that goes for all the other names that end in Fire. They often, maybe always, lie outrageously about the capacity of their cells.

I believe they all are trying to capitalize on the Surefire name. Pretty well anybody will admit that Surefire lights are among the very best, if not the best. Funny thing is Surefire doesn't make any lights that take 18650, 14500 type cells. They are strictly CR123 type.

You may be interested in...
The Anatomy of a Protected Li-Ion Cell
... and this page as well

Follow the links on the bottom of those pages for more info....
...or maybe you already found that....


Are you familiar with the candlepowerforum? Lots of flashlights enthusiasts there. Good info.

[lrrowe]

Those first two links where the ones I did find and did read just a bit ago.
Boy there is a forum for almost everything these days. I will bookmark the one on flashlights and save it for my reading time later. Thanks.

[daveesl77]

I've been using Eneloops for years and the Maha charger, both are excellent. When we are doing documentary shots or stock footage, I usually don't have the ability to have plug in power, so I made up "universal" powerpacks for my DSLR and video cameras, as well as my wireless mic mixers. These are all interchangeable and all use eneloops. 7 AA batteries = 8.4 volts, same as the plug in charge. I've had the opportunity to be asked to video the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Pantheon in Rome, twice. With my battery packs plugged in, I have no problem running my gear for hours.

When shooting my Chichen Itza equinox timelapse a few years ago (which helped earn me an international Emmy nomination through a KBS documentary), the Eneloop battery packs are what kept the 3 cameras all running for hours.

There are some other makes, like EDL, but the Eneloops never fail me and last for several years. Well worth the cost.

dave

[lrrowe]

I've been using Eneloops for years and the Maha charger, both are excellent. When we are doing documentary shots or stock footage, I usually don't have the ability to have plug in power, so I made up "universal" powerpacks for my DSLR and video cameras, as well as my wireless mic mixers. These are all interchangeable and all use eneloops. 7 AA batteries = 8.4 volts, same as the plug in charge. I've had the opportunity to be asked to video the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Pantheon in Rome, twice. With my battery packs plugged in, I have no problem running my gear for hours.

When shooting my Chichen Itza equinox timelapse a few years ago (which helped earn me an international Emmy nomination through a KBS documentary), the Eneloop battery packs are what kept the 3 cameras all running for hours.

There are some other makes, like EDL, but the Eneloops never fail me and last for several years. Well worth the cost.

dave

Dave, any chance you have a photo of your DIY battery pack you can share with us?