Rechargable batteries
 

Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.


Anything except Radio Shack.


--
Peter Aitken

Doug Kanter wrote:
Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

I do know that rechargable batteries have a 'memory'. It's best to
totally discharge them once in awhile, and after you discharge them,
they will last longer. My cell phone shuts itself off when the battery
gets to a certain point. I took it to the store and they have a machine
to completely discharge it, then charge it up, and it made a lot of
difference. Also, my camcorder battery charger has a setting to
"recondition" the battery, and it does the exact same thing, discharges
it completely.

wrote in message
oups.com...


Doug Kanter wrote:
Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came
with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

I do know that rechargable batteries have a 'memory'. It's best to
totally discharge them once in awhile, and after you discharge them,
they will last longer. My cell phone shuts itself off when the battery
gets to a certain point. I took it to the store and they have a machine
to completely discharge it, then charge it up, and it made a lot of
difference. Also, my camcorder battery charger has a setting to
"recondition" the battery, and it does the exact same thing, discharges
it completely.


Yeah..I know, but these batteries are definitely behaving badly. It may be
due to the fact that I rarely use the unit, so the batteries have never had
a chance to go through normal charge/discharge cycles. This weekend, they
were especially onerous. Message from fishing friend 2 miles away: "We're
about ___ yards off the ___ I got ___ ___ far on cray___". Too bad he forgot
his cell phone. Never found out where he was hitting the smallmouth.

"Peter Aitken" wrote in message
m...
"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came
with my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA
batteries, but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.


Anything except Radio Shack.

Yeah...I had the same feeling. After my last rechargable battery experience
with them, I was left with the feeling that my destiny included throwing a
lit bottle of gasoline into their store. :-)

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

I also buy cheapo alkaline batteries in bulk from BJ's Warehouse from
Fuji - can't kill the damn things - they last forever in my RC400 GPS.
Amazing. Better than the rechargables in some ways.

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

I also buy cheapo alkaline batteries in bulk from BJ's Warehouse from
Fuji - can't kill the damn things - they last forever in my RC400 GPS.
Amazing. Better than the rechargables in some ways.

We also buy the 48 pack of Toshiba's (AA) at Costo for under $10 and they
are also bulletproof.

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

I also buy cheapo alkaline batteries in bulk from BJ's Warehouse from
Fuji - can't kill the damn things - they last forever in my RC400 GPS.
Amazing. Better than the rechargables in some ways.

What a coincidence - I just got a "try BJ's for free" coupon in the mail
today.

On 27 Jun 2005 13:18:23 -0700, wrote:



Doug Kanter wrote:
Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

I do know that rechargable batteries have a 'memory'. It's best to
totally discharge them once in awhile, and after you discharge them,
they will last longer. My cell phone shuts itself off when the battery
gets to a certain point. I took it to the store and they have a machine
to completely discharge it, then charge it up, and it made a lot of
difference. Also, my camcorder battery charger has a setting to
"recondition" the battery, and it does the exact same thing, discharges
it completely.

You should never discharge a rechargeable battery flat - in particular
the new NiMH and LiON batteries. 1/4 charge is fine.

But here is a good tip for you - found this out by experiment back
when I was actually working at Wannabe Big Time Mini-computer Company.

If you only charge the batteries to about 80% of full charge, you'll
be able to get 500 to 1000 cycles from them. We discovered that all
the 'wear' on a battery occurs as it transitions from nearly fully
charged to completely charged, and so if you only charge to 80% of
capacity, you'll get much longer life.

It's kind of a pain to do this, but it does work. We used to use
NiCAD devices to keep memory ticking over and that's what we
discovered through experimentation based on some information from the
battery manufacturer that we sort of cadged during a technical
discussion one day. One of my engineers got this - "I wonder" look in
his eye, he talked it over with me - we did some experiments and I'll
be damned if it wasn't true.

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:58:38 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

I also buy cheapo alkaline batteries in bulk from BJ's Warehouse from
Fuji - can't kill the damn things - they last forever in my RC400 GPS.
Amazing. Better than the rechargables in some ways.

What a coincidence - I just got a "try BJ's for free" coupon in the mail
today.

Well, see - serendipity.

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 16:55:12 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

I also buy cheapo alkaline batteries in bulk from BJ's Warehouse from
Fuji - can't kill the damn things - they last forever in my RC400 GPS.
Amazing. Better than the rechargables in some ways.

We also buy the 48 pack of Toshiba's (AA) at Costo for under $10 and they
are also bulletproof.

Them too - also - same as - yes.

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came with
my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA batteries,
but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.


Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

2nd the Panasonics. The NiMh's are up to 2100/2200/2300 MAh in a AA
now, I am still using the 1600's purchased 2.5 years ago w/o a failure.
I put a premium set of AA NiCads custom configured in my Ranger HH VHF
when the original sub-C's gave out, and they are holding up well, but
they will get replaced with the Panasonic NiMh's when they go.

Rob

"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came
with my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA
batteries, but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.


Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

2nd the Panasonics. The NiMh's are up to 2100/2200/2300 MAh in a AA now,
I am still using the 1600's purchased 2.5 years ago w/o a failure. I put a
premium set of AA NiCads custom configured in my Ranger HH VHF when the
original sub-C's gave out, and they are holding up well, but they will get
replaced with the Panasonic NiMh's when they go.

Rob

Whose charger are you using? I've browsed all over Panasonic's web site and
I find no mention of a charger for common size batteries.

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 23:54:52 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came
with my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA
batteries, but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.

Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

2nd the Panasonics. The NiMh's are up to 2100/2200/2300 MAh in a AA now,
I am still using the 1600's purchased 2.5 years ago w/o a failure. I put a
premium set of AA NiCads custom configured in my Ranger HH VHF when the
original sub-C's gave out, and they are holding up well, but they will get
replaced with the Panasonic NiMh's when they go.

Rob

Whose charger are you using? I've browsed all over Panasonic's web site and
I find no mention of a charger for common size batteries.

The charger I got with the batteries which I bought at BJ's.

~~ sheesh ~~

Doug Kanter wrote:

"trainfan1" wrote in message
...

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:13:22 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:



Yes, it's a boating question. :-) The rechargable batteries that came
with my Raytheon handheld VHF are total crap. It'll take regular AA
batteries, but I'd also like to keep a set of rechargables handy.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's already been through the
mill, as far as buying (and discarding) lousy batteries & chargers, and
finally reaching nirvana with a particular brand that actually works.


Say no more - Panasonic.

I use 'em in everything - work great.

2nd the Panasonics. The NiMh's are up to 2100/2200/2300 MAh in a AA now,
I am still using the 1600's purchased 2.5 years ago w/o a failure. I put a
premium set of AA NiCads custom configured in my Ranger HH VHF when the
original sub-C's gave out, and they are holding up well, but they will get
replaced with the Panasonic NiMh's when they go.

Rob


Whose charger are you using? I've browsed all over Panasonic's web site and
I find no mention of a charger for common size batteries.



The charger I got with the batteries which I bought at BJ's.

Rob

Red Cloud® wrote:


Be aware that many devices designed for nicads and alkalines will go a little
nutz with NiMh batteries. The battery "gas gauges" will not reflect true
condition, and in many cases the device will squawk with low battery warnings
even when the batteries are fully and freshly charged. The NiMh batteries have a
different curve. They will start out at a lower voltage, but will stay at that
level for a longer time.

I have a Garmin handheld VHF that was desinged for NiCads. I use NiMh batteries
in the accessory carrier intended for alkalines with no issues after I kill the
alarms. It runs for about 8-10 hours even though the radio insists the batteries
are almost dead the whole time.

rusty redcloud

Using NiCads or NiMh(s) rated at 1.2 volts nominal will do that in
applications designed for 1.5 volts nominal.

I have an older pair of CB walkies that actually took this into
consideration. The battery case holds 10 1.2v AA rechargeables, but to
use alkalines they provided (2) "blanks" the size of AA batteries to
bridge the connection to just 8 AA alkalines, @ 1.5v each.

Rob

Red Cloud® wrote:

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 21:24:56 -0400, trainfan1 wrote:


Red Cloud® wrote:



Be aware that many devices designed for nicads and alkalines will go a little
nutz with NiMh batteries. The battery "gas gauges" will not reflect true
condition, and in many cases the device will squawk with low battery warnings
even when the batteries are fully and freshly charged. The NiMh batteries have a
different curve. They will start out at a lower voltage, but will stay at that
level for a longer time.

I have a Garmin handheld VHF that was desinged for NiCads. I use NiMh batteries
in the accessory carrier intended for alkalines with no issues after I kill the
alarms. It runs for about 8-10 hours even though the radio insists the batteries
are almost dead the whole time.

rusty redcloud

Using NiCads or NiMh(s) rated at 1.2 volts nominal will do that in
applications designed for 1.5 volts nominal.

I have an older pair of CB walkies that actually took this into
consideration. The battery case holds 10 1.2v AA rechargeables, but to
use alkalines they provided (2) "blanks" the size of AA batteries to
bridge the connection to just 8 AA alkalines, @ 1.5v each.

Rob


The actual issue is whatever the cutoff threshold is set at. Those old walkie
talkies would actually have slightly greater transmit power if you used
batteries in place of the blanks.

rusty redcloud


Maybe. But they are limited to 5 watts in to the finals & 4 watts out
at 13.8 volts.

Rob