Rechargeable Batteries?

[utahshovelhead]

Hi folks,

I have been reading past posts on using rechargeable batteries and am interested in using some in my back up slimline pack. I am curious what brand or type would be most worthwhile as I don't want to buy or make any problems with using the wrong type. I am battery dumb but I am a very fast learner.

Also, I have an older slimline pack of nimhi that are no longer holding much charge and I want to put these new rechargeable batteries inside it and if possible charge off the Minelab wall charger...has anyone done that? and If so could you give me some tips? Or is it possible to give new life to the older nimhi?... they are only lasting about 1.5 hr and then drop below half.

I have also noticed less erratic background sounds with the older pack then with my other slimline that holds a good long charge...interesting huh...I have read some about that but need advice.

Any response would be appreciated.


Thanks,
utahshovelhead

 

[Buddysox]

I have purchased some 3000 ma batteries on e-bay and use them in the battery holder pack. They last all day and never go below half. The slimline is now my backup. The only thing is you have to get a wall charger of some type for them. I use a lot of other rechargeable around the house anyway, so no problem. The supplied slimlines are only 1600 or 1800 ma so you get almost twice as much service out of the 3000 ma. Eight of the 3000ma were around 22.00, not cheap but certainly better than a new slimline. No problems with them at all for about a year now. give it a try. They all put out the same power, just some longer than others. There seems to be a belief that minelab batteries have to be used. WRONG! I am looking for a new battery pack in case something happens to my other one, I don't want to go back to using the slimline.

 

[NealNoIN]

just be sure you teach them by using them until they are dead until you recharge. Do this several times from the get go and also do it often to make sure they stay taught! It's amazing how much longer they last when you do this.
Neal

 

[dewcon4414]

That a fact Neal.. you need to teach your batteries and the longer you use them the better they hold a charge. Get a good wall charger as well. I think the T-Energy around 2800's are a good buy and work well. Make sure you look at the total volts.... 1.2 is about normal for rechargeables. I say that because their are more hotter batteries now like the Lit Ion that should NOT be used in the SE.

 

[Varmint!]

the Eneloop is a special chemistry NiMH cell and it's most stellar feature is the extremely low (comparatively) self-discharge. This means you can charge the cells, put them in a device, and expect to have it work when you turn it on MONTHS later.

By comparison, I paid through the nose for some name brand super high capacity (at the time) NiMH's at 2600mAH. They worked great, much better detecting time than the factory rechargeable pack, but the problem was they were STONE DEAD after a month in storage. I thought maybe the pack had some leakage current (I'm an electronics engineer by trade) so I took the cells, charged them, and let them sit out of the pack for a few weeks. I think it ended up being 3 weeks, and I only got an hour of detecting time before the dreaded "powering down" tone played on the Exp-II.

Since I discovered the Eneloops, I gave away all of my "regular" NiMH's, I have no use for a cell that needs to be charged immediately before I plan on using it's capacity.

The one downside to the Eneloop is the comparatively low capacity, the AA's are only good for 2100mAH, and now there are "regular" NiMH's that are breaking the 3000mAH barrier. I STILL won't buy the "regular" ones, it gives me great satisfaction to know the Eneloops will be ready to go when I am, without having to scurry around and make sure they are topped off. I use them in all of my portable electronics, and they are ready to go, with essentially full capacity anytime I want to use them.

BTW, they work great in cold weather too, Sanyo's introductory demo was in Aussie-land during winter, and they encouraged the media to use them in their cameras and such just to make a point. They worked great, much to the surprize of those who (reluctantly at first) tried them.

DAS

 

[grumpyolman]

Nimh batteries do not have a memory. Nicads do. That's why you have to drain the NiCad down before recharging it to prevent it from developing a 'short term' memory. Get the NiMh and charge them when ever you want and don't worry about the memory effect. NiCads are much older technology. Get a charger that also reconditions batteries. You'll spend a little more but it'll pay for itself by ensuring your batteries last as long as possible. You can probably 'revive' a set of NiCads you thought were dead.

 

[utahshovelhead]

Thanks you all for taking a minute to steer me stright!

utahshovelhead