Looking for rechargeable AA batteries that are reliable. I've tried several and they cause wierd malfunctions in electronics. When I use regular Duracells in the same devices, they are ok.

Those green Energizers suck.

 

White top Duracells or Eneloops are pretty good, and are supposed to last longer. Really depends what you're using them for though. I've noticed that their discharge curve lowers voltage quicker in the beginning, but lasts longer. For example, my alarm key fob drops from 4 bars to 1 bar in a few days, but stays at that 1 bar for at least a week and a half (this is one of those 2-way pager ones, so it kills the battery kind of quickly).

Also, rechargeable batteries are only as good as their charger. If you have a super-quick under 1 hour charger, that is probably the cause of unreliable rechargables. The slower the charger, the less heat produced, the longer the life of the battery.

 

^^ like what he said, all depends on what you're using them for. Personally, I used some sony rechargable AA batteries I got from frys something like 3-4 years ago and they're still running strong. But I only use them for my camera flash (nikon sb400/sb600) so I don't use them every day or anything.

 

eneloop, but if you are using them with a guzzler you might want something with a higher amperage.

 

check out maha or la crosse chargers...

they cost like $40+ each but they do more than charge it... they cycle them... they discharge...

 

All consumer rechargeable batteries develop a "memory" so you want a charger that can discharge or "recondition" to maintain battery life and duration of charge.

Also of importance is that most of the rechargeable batteries are 1.2 VDC whereas chemical batteries are 1.5 VDC.

Some good info :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WPW/Power/RechBattInfo.htm

 

Energizers are the only brand I've had problems with, I have duracell, eneloop, ray-o-vac and GP rechargables that I've been using in my cameras and GPS units for almost 10 years now, but I have about 10 energizers of various capacities that are crap.

But yeah if your device has a setting for different battery types- make sure it is set for the right kind.

I almost never buy non-rechargables anymore.

 

If you've got a Costco membership, they've got a deal going on Duraloops (Duracell rebranded Eneloops). $19 - $5 coupon for 8AA and 2AAA. Low Self-Discharge batteries, 2000mA/h AA and 800 mA/h AAA. They've been shown to retain a good charge for years.

Downside of course is that they're still 1.2v, so they're not great on really high-drain devices. But, get a decent slow-charger (mentioned above) and they tend to work well for most things.

There were some 1.6v Nickel-Zinc rechargeables that I've heard things about, but not sure how good they are.

 

maha MH-C9000
lacrosse BC-9009

I have both and like the Maha WAY better. Thomas distributing is a great place to order.

Batteries - either the afore mentioned Sanyo Eneloops, The white top Duracell's (which are just rewrapped eneloops), or Maha Imedions.

 

I have the Maha and I'm very happy with it as well. I use eneloops for standby batteries because they hold their charge so well. I also have a couple of sets of the high capacity batteries from Maha for camera stuff.

The only problem I have had recently is with an indoor/outdoor temperature sensor. It takes 2x AAA batteries, but it is pretty heavy on them. I put some eneloops in there, but the sensor needs really close to 3v, so the rechargables only work for a short period. I'm thinking of making a separate battery holder for it so I can run 3x AAAs (or AAs) together to power it.

 

if i were you, i'd get lithium batts for this application.

how often are you R&R the batts?

 

You'll need to have them in multiples of 2 to get 3V, so 2 or 4 but 3 won't help.