Rechargeable batteries

[kahunabean]

Anyone had any experience with rechargeable batteries ? I bought a load of Ni MH AA batteries for the kids toys and my digital camera. The charger goes green to indicate full charge after a few hours then you pop them in a hi power device such as a portable CD palyer or digital camera and they last 5 mins max. Ni MH batteries are NOT supposed to have any memory effect. The brand is 'Uniross'... Any clues gratefully received...

[Worker]

I don''t know the particular type of batteries you're using but I had a similar experience with the rechargeble batteries I used to use. They took hours to recharge yet weren't very powerful and didn't last long. Personally I think they're a wste of time.

[WendyW]

I mainly use rechargable batteries and whilst they do not last as long as normal batteries they should last about 70 to 80 percent of the time. Because you use them time and time again it is better to buy good quality batteries and not cheaper versions. It does sound like your batteries are a bit suspect. Why not take them back to the shop you bought them from.

[lisaj]

NiCads have a smaller operating voltage - 1.2V rather than 1.5V. They're used mainly for things like radio controlled toys, etc. If you want a rechargable replacement for standard AAs then you need to get some rechargable alkalines which have an operating voltage of 1.5V and similar current flows. For the camera this is almost certainly where you're going wrong... bear in mind you'll need a special charger for the r.alks

[xyzzyplugh]

Ordinary Duracell alkalines will fully recharge at least 10 times. :-)

[Worker]

Didn't know you could recharge alkalines

[bluedolphin]

UNIROSS, UNIROSS, UNIROSS that is your problem. I bought the same thing and brought it back coz it was doing exactly as you describe. I bought it in the local hardware ....anyway I now use a maxell charger and maxell nickel hydride batteries. The charger is multi voltage so I can take it away on holiday abroad. I think it is fair to say that Sony leads the way with battery life for electrical doodahs ....their lates cdwalkman gives something like 80 hours on one battery .....Get rid of the Uniross

[Worker]

Bluedolphin: If as you say Sony are best at making rechargeable batteries, do they produce the popular types, ie AA, AAA, or only for their own equipment?

[xyzzyplugh]

My Uniross 1300ma and my Energiser 1700ma are recharging perfectly, touch wood. Old Duracells alkaline; I expect the battery companies have been keeping this quiet for Years. So why do I bother with Nimh? Because at the time of purchase they were on sale at �4.99 for 4 which is about the same price. And the Energiser 1700's are for my camera.
p.s. 10 times was a conservative estimate - Those old Duracells just keep going and going :-)

[KARL]

Rechargeables are a bit hit and miss and their performance is, I suspect, very much subject to the application and charging patterns. We have 9v NiCad batteries which are at least 5 years old and still usable although the chargelife is down from the earliest days (not surprising). I have NiCad in my shaver which are at least my fourth lot in it, but then the shaver is decades old but still going fine - each built-in pair lasts 4-6 years and I get up to four weeks of shaving from one charge. On the other hand, I have had NiCads in torches which died totally within months. Alkalines can be recharged but they require a somewhat different regime from true rechargeables, particularly a low charge current so they don't overheat. Unfortunately, I suspect there is no single answer to your question.

[bluedolphin]

I meant in my post that Sony's electronic stuff consumes less battery power so you get more hours from your battery. But regarding recharging Alkalines WOW!! I didn't know that was possible until I read it here!

[xyzzyplugh]

you need 'innovations battery manager ultra' otherwise some batteries can leak. http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF
-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=%22innovations+battery+manager%22&btnG=Google+Search

[Gef]

There is nothing wrong with Uniross batteries. I have been using the same set for 15 months in a digital camera. However, there are two types, Ni-MH & Ni-Cd, and you must make sure that the switch on the charger is set to the correct type.