pricing for NiCads

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Hi folks,

ordered a couple of those solar powered battery chargers, but am now trying to determine someway of accumulating enough batteries (AA,C, and D cells, along with some 9-volts) to make a difference without spending more on batteries than we have on food! six bucks a pop for D Cells is a bit steep! sheesh!

anybody with extensive experience in this area?

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), March 22, 1999

Answers

If you buy cheap, you get cheap, Arlin, no way around it. The *only* NiCads that I feel are worth investing in (and these are indeed an investment - they'll last you twenty years) are either the Radio Shack "Hi-Capacity" batteries, or the "Golden Power" cells sold by Real Goods. I've used the RS cells for years now, still going strong.

Expect to pay $8.00 per "D" cell at the Shack, slightly less at Real Goods, and a small fortune through any other vendor who carries them (if you can find one).

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 22, 1999.


Hi Sparks,

you know, I was afraid somebody was going to say that. *sigh*

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), March 22, 1999.


I know it's hard to bite the bullet and spend that much on the things, but they really will pay for themselves in a few uses. I've saved hundreds of dollars so far by not having to purchase alkalines.

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 22, 1999.

Dropped by my local "Shack" and made sure they had some of those "Hi-Caps" in stock. Yep, $6.99 for single Ds or Cs, 'bout the same for a pair of AAs. *gulp*

Package says they need to be recharged before using, so here's the next question: any recommendations on solar chargers? The one on the RealGoods site looks fine, but any pointers welcomed.

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), March 22, 1999.


The best deal I've found is to use AA or AAA batteries as much as possible. That way I can use nickle-metal hydride batteries which are better rechargeables than niCads. They have about twice the capacity of nicads (1300ma-hr vs 600ma-hr nicad). No memory effect and the following source has them for $2.50 or less, compared to 5 or 6$ at radio shack!

The URL is: http://world.batterysupply.com/maha-aa-t.htm

Got charge??

Embedhead

-- embedhead (rechargeable@hamster.com), March 23, 1999.



Whatever you do, do not buy an Eveready "C" or "D" cell Nicad - they put a "AA" cell inside a bigger wrapper and charge more money for it. They don't last very long, and cost the same as "real" "D" cells.

Jolly is boycotting *ALL* Eveready products because of this fraud.

-- Jollyprez (jolly@prez.com), March 23, 1999.


Check battery packs Arlin. Heavy duty packs for power tools are bundled cells. They're high capacity and are assembled using the best batteries out of manufactured lots because of quality control requirements placed on the OEM provider.

All batteries are tested and separated by grade. the worst get individually packaged and shipped to volume buyers (distributors for K-Mart, 7-11 etc.)

The best get bundled for professional power tools. (Spent time consulting with a BIG battery maker here)

-- PNG (png@gol.com), March 23, 1999.


I've been using the high capacity radio shack D cells in my mag light for several years now. Only have to charge them about every six months or so.

-- hunchback (quasimodo@belltower.com), March 23, 1999.

PNG that is interesting about the battery packs. A company called BG Micro has surplus electronics including battery packs that can be taken apart and divided up for use as individuals cells. www.bgmicro.com Have not personally ordered from them, but got the recommendation from someone on a thread here.

Have heard varying things about the Nickel metal hydride rechargeables. That they are best kept active and used in devices that you use often and run down the charge fast. If they sit unused, they tend to lose their charge capacity.

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), March 23, 1999.


Debbie.. That's why their used in pro power tools. High output/fast recharge. You shouldn't have a charge memory problem with Ni metal hydrides.

Important: There are two grades. One for consumer power tools and professional grade. Pro grade going to name-brand drill makers are the best of the best, from what I saw at the factory here.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), March 23, 1999.



For "rolling blackouts" you might also consider Rayovac rechargeable Alkalines. If you use these, you MUST use them differently from NiCds. Alkalines must be recharged BEFORE getting fully discharged. One full discharge, and the battery is forever dead. Since alkalines are dead if you fully discharge a battery, and can't deliver high current like NiCd/NiMH, a LOT of people hate them. Others, however, swear by them when they are 1) recharged before fully discharging and 2) used in low-power applications.

Alkaline: 1.5 volts. Holds charge up to 5 years. If power is "rationed" (week on, week off) they may be nice to have. Note, though, that alkaline is only good in low-power apps (radio). Alkaline can't deliver high current needed by some devices. Can't recharge via solar, since charger requires AC.

NiCd: 1.2 volts. Should discharge fully before recharging. Loses 1- 2% charge per day in storage. Can deliver higher current than alkaline.

NiMH: 1.2 volts. Should *probably* discharge fully before recharging. Loses about 5% charge per day in storage. Can deliver higher current than alkaline.

Some electronic devices don't like NiCd/NiMH because they are only 1.2 volts (instead of 1.5).

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@anonymous.com), March 23, 1999.


Great thread, thanks for all the valuable info.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), March 23, 1999.


Looking for....

I'm looking for a nicad charger that charges at the slow rate (new batteries charged in 10-15 hours) not a fast battery burner (charging in 2-4 hours).

I've checked around and not had much luck. Any suggestions, group?

J

-- j (sandpine@juno.com), March 23, 1999.


The hydride batteries are best used in situations where you charge the cell up and use it in a short time, as they have a rapid self- discharge rate. In other words, in a short couple of weeks or so, they go flat.

I've used BG Micro, mostly, for batteries. They have an especially good deal on AA cells. 2 800ma cells wired lenghtwise for 2.4v $1.79 for a 2-cell unit, or 10 2-cell units for $8.95 (that's 20 AA cells for $8.95). I got a bunch.

Abraham Solar has good prices on Ni-cads also: D cells 4000ma $7.50, C cells 1800ma $4.75, 850ma AA cells $2.70, AAA cells 180ma $2.20, and a 9V (8.4 versus typical 7.2v "9v" cells) 110ma $8.90

Jay, consider a solar panel. Size it to about 10% of the capacity of the cells you want to recharge.

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), March 23, 1999.


Forgot the number for Abraham Solar: 800-222-7242. BG Micro is 800- 276-2206.

-- BIll (billclo@hotmail.com), March 23, 1999.


The Saitek EcoCharger which I just got, is a bit pricey ($54.95 from Real Goods) but has the features to justify its price. It discharges the battery first, displays an estimate of the charge time (which is a slow charge), shuts off when done (my kind of feature, I prefer to not leave this to guesswork). Each of the 4 channels can take a different size (but not type) of battery. It charges Nicads, NIMHs, and can "top off" partially-discharged alkalines--which sounds great in theory but in practice is sort of a PITA to do. That's because you have to start when they're new and keep freshening them before you notice a drop in performance.

It comes with an AC adapter, and runs off 6V DC though not officially recommended.

At Real Goods,

Saitek Eco-Charger

Click "Eco-charger". Other places have it, like Jade Mountain and C. Crane Co.

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), March 23, 1999.


Meant to add - the Eco-Charger is bundled with a 3 watt flexible amorphous solar panel by Keep it Simple Systems for $189 total. Being a kit and all, this is higher than if you got the panel separately.

They call it the

KISS Jupiter Solar System

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), March 23, 1999.


C. Crane (somewhere on Web) has house-brand NiCads, about same price as store-bought but are advertised to last a lot longer. That is, the CHARGE lasts a lot longer. Have used Eco charger for about five years now, heavy use, and two of four springs holding batteries have broken. Bic pen is about right size to snug connections. Maybe new ones have better springs. Don't mind charging regular alkalines at the moment (PIA but still saves lots of money), but might be a problem when power goes. Hope to have all NiCad by then.

Bought 16 Eveready Ds about a month ago. Hope I can still return. Radio Shacks--still using about 3/4 of some I bought five years ago (again, heavy use), also a brand called Millennium (ha!). Am going to try C. Crane for next batch.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 23, 1999.


I bought the c.crane batteries. After I received the first set I turned around and did an entire reorder. They have good stuff.

j

-- j (sandpine@juno.com), March 23, 1999.


Dear j, When I clicked back to Real Goods this time, I saw in their list of battery chargers a super slow one [being that slow charging is like slow weight loss - good for ya!], which it said is their top selling one. Just thought it might be up your alley.

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), March 23, 1999.

I went to my favorite 'tronix store (SW MI) and purchased some of the rechargeable nicads in various sizes. The person at the counter said, "Boy, these are really moving. We may have to raise the price on these!"

Are they still easy to find in your area? Comments welcome.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), March 25, 1999.


Check out hobby shops for high-quality NiCads. Radio-control modelers take their gear quite seriously.

Hallyx

"You know you're old when you bend down to tie your shoe and you wonder what else you can do while you're down there."---George Burns

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), March 25, 1999.


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