What Ni-MH cells to buy? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 11:20:00 am
content: I need to buy approx 12 each of AA and AAA Ni-MH cells. I'm not too concerned about capacity (>=1900mAh for AA and >=900mAh for AAA will be fine), but I want cells that will last a while (provided they're not abused) and that don't cost too much. Low self-discharge is preferable, given they will likely be stored for some time.Ideas?

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 11:25:17 am
content: Youtube search 'Project Farm rechargeable batteries'

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 11:26:41 am
content: Ikea? Don't know if they're low self-discharge,and I think it's been said that the higher capacityones are made in Japan.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 11:28:47 am
content: Quote from: BrianHG on November 03, 2020, 11:25:17 amI repeat....JUST Youtube search 'Project Farm rechargeable batteries'

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 11:29:26 am
content: White IKEA LADDA. They are Eneloop pro in disguise but much cheaper.https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ladda-rechargeable-battery-70303876/https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ladda-rechargeable-battery-90303880/

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 11:52:25 am
content: Lidl have the Tronic ones on the centre isle at the moment. They seem pretty decent.https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/p/diy/tronic-rechargeable-batteries/p36631

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 04:14:45 pm
content: Tenergy Centura, Duracell and Energizer all make good NiMH batteries. I buy D & C as tenergy centura because they actually have the amp hour rating that is respectable for a D & C cell at a low price (I use them for lab batteries). A 2000mAH D-Cell is a joke btw (not sure if they are more long shelf life or something, but I go for capacity, my D-cell stuff is supposed to last a long time turned on)Notice I said NiMH.You can get the non LSD ones also (in all 3 versions), the hardware store sold ones will say 'long lasting' some where to indicate LSD behavior. The capacity difference is some where around 500mAH between the LSD and high capacity ones in AA.

author: RenThraysk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 05:23:44 pm
content: As said previous, IKEA LADDA.They are made by FDK (Fujitsuhttps://www.fdk.com/denchi-e/rechargeable_battery/index.html) in a factory previously owned by Panasonic/Sanyo. It was sold to FDK to allow the Panasonic Sanyo merger to pass monopoly regulations.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 05:46:53 pm
content: Hello fellow badcaps.net member,I have the Ikea Ladda in both Made in Japan and Made in China. The ones made in Japan are supposed to be made in the same factory as the Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloops. The Ikea Ladda ones are low self discharge.They are reasonably priced, but usually never go on sale.The made in China ones have also held up and so far no problems. Given a choice, I would look for the Made in Japan label though.PS. Don't worry too much about abusing them. I have one pair of Eneloop AA 1900mAh that I have recharged over 1000 times (daily for 3+ years) and they still test around 1900mAh capacity on my charger.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 05:49:47 pm
content: A list of purported rewrapped Eneloops if you don't have an Ikea.https://eneloop101.com/batteries/rewrapped-batteries/

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 05:52:47 pm
content: I have also seen low self discharge nimh DURACELL (Duraloop) in some Costcos. Just look for the Made in Japan.I have about 60+ AA and AAA of the above for several years and all have worked fine with no leaks and all near their stated 1900mAh capacity.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 06:34:16 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on November 03, 2020, 05:46:53 pmWhite LADDA is eneloop pro and is made in Japan at FDK factory (Fujitsu subsidiary). Low capacity tan colored batteries are made in China (might be that part of them are still made in Japan) and are something else.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 07:23:34 pm
content: My low capacity 1000mAh AA and 500mAh AAA ones are Made in Japan. When I bought them a few years ago, I can't remember if I saw Made in China ones or not.I bought the low AA and AAA ones mainly for remote control devices around the house that don't need all the extra capacity.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 09:35:56 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on November 03, 2020, 07:23:34 pmAll of those I've seen or heard of last year were Chinese.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 09:48:22 pm
content: For AA cells you want Enloop 4th generation BK-3MCC (BK-3MCCE?) and for AAA cells BK-4MCC (BK-4MCCE?). These have the highest specified number of watt-hours.If detailed specifications are not available for a cell, then ignore it as it is likely trash no matter what the brand is.

author: Miti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2020, 02:15:01 am
content: +1 for white Ikea Ladda!

author: deadlylover
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2020, 03:09:57 am
content: +1 Can't beat the IKEA LADDA (made in Japan version) if they're available in your area. They used to be 8 dollarydoos here for a 4 pack, but the price has almost doubled recently. Should have loaded the boat while I could!The low capacity variants are quite good for things like game controllers or especially wireless mice because they're a bit lighter. Good to have a few of those around for special purposes, they're usually a decent chunk cheaper too.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2020, 11:11:13 am
content: Unless it is a genuine from a reputable manufacturer and dealer, the capacity and robustness (especially NiMH) can be treated with a grain of salt. eBay is flooded by batteries full of false capacity claims and counterfeits by Chinese fraudsters. In the end you get what you pay for. Genuine Ladda are great (I have used them) and of course genuine Eneloops (I have used them too). Just search on "NiMH battery" on eBay. All these AA NiMH batteries made by Hu Flung Dung Enterprises and the like with a capacity of 3000mAh are fake. Another big con is power bank capacities. Almost all state an Ah capacity that is either complete frogshit, or at best the Ah capacity from the 3.7V cells; not the 5V USB produced from a buck-boost converter. No user gives a rats arse about the Ah capacity of the cells. They are more interested in the Ah capacity of the 5V USB power, which takes into account cells as well as the voltage converter efficiency.This battery bank can provide the equivalent of 900 amps for one hour! Would make a great welder for under $25, except this works though wireless. You could modulate it with AM run your very own killowatt pirate AM radio station. At 900,000mAh, it will run an 5mA LED for over 20 years continuously.https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/900000mAh-Digital-Power-Bank-2USB-Backup-LCD-Battery-Charger-For-Mobile-Phone/353209661589?hash=item523cefb895:g:LRcAAOSwZbtfaEvu.eBay is full of fraudulent and non-safety compliant products out of China. eBay does not care, nor, sadly, does the government. It is a case of buyer beware.