On Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:13:40 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

On 9/1/2013 8:43 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 31 Aug 2013 19:58:04 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

On 8/31/2013 2:48 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 30 Aug 2013 18:27:10 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

Saw these in Target as I hit the fourth and last store in my area trying
to score some cheap Duraloops.

http://www.energizer.com/batteries/r...s/Pages/d.aspx

Seriously? a 2500 mAh NiMH D cell? So you want me to pay the same price
for a 2-pack of fake ass D cells as I would for a GOOD pack of 4 AAs
that each have almost the same capacity? Are you HIGH?

That's certainly not new. GE and RadioShaft NiCd 'D' cells were their
C's in drag. I don't think the 4AAs would fit your D-size appliance,
though.

3xAAs definitely will fit in place of *one* D cell, 4xAAs might
depending.

In series the voltage is all wrong and primary batteries in parallel
is not recommended. It won't fit.

Assuming parallel of course. I wouldn't be using primaries, but
Eneloops or similar anyway. I understand that conventional wisdom says
not to parallel up cells but Sanyo seems to think enough of their
Eneloops that that is exactly what they do for their Japan market C and
D "cells" - they're actually 4xAAA (for C) and 3xAA (for D) cells inside
a larger casing.

That's an entirely different situation. When they manufacture the
batteries, they're able to match the cells. Being from the same lot
and matched from the beginning, they can be sure they will remain in
the same state of charge. That *can't* be done with an adapter that
the public is free to change cells at their whim. If someone puts a
dead cell in with a fresh one, it's lawyer time.

Additionally I have a Fenix flashlight that uses 8xAAs
in a 4S2P arrangement (approximately 2D size battery carrier that
inserts into the body, clearly 4S2P as the voltage at the contacts is
4.8V and the light will run on only four cells if inserted in the right
places in the carrier.) Really no effective difference between that and
using four parallel AA to D adapters in series in a 4D Mag with two AAs
inserted in each adapter.

Dangerous.

From what I've read online and seen myself when running break-in cycles
on the Eneloops that I have, they appear to be very consistent out of
the box... both remaining charge after sitting on the shelf on initial
discharge and measured capacity on the break in cycle are very
consistent cell to cell, so it seems like it should be relatively safe
to run cells in parallel adapters as long as they are from the same
production lot (or matched based on measured capacity) and are kept
together as a lot in use. I'm also using a charger with independent
channels to prolong life.

A cell that's five years old, with 500 cycles on it will behave as a
new one?

I've seen adapters for both, I'm not aware of any 4xAA
adapters currently on the market but I got a tip off CPF of some 3xAA
adapters from a Chinese eBay seller that look promising. I might
actually buy some of them... apparently someone already did, I'm just
waiting for him to post what he thought of them quality-wise. Same
seller sells similar looking 4xAAA to C adapters also. eBay seller is
world_electric_fan, like I said I can't give a personal thumbs up yet
since I'm waiting for a forum reply before I purchase any myself.

NOT a good idea.

snip

See above; it doesn't seem to be that bad.

It's a *horrible* idea.

Yes, if you mix and match
primaries out of a mess tossed into a box, I'd say that *is* a bad idea,
but if used properly, I don't see the downside other than the slight
loss in capacity relative to a purpose-built C or D cell. And then you
have standardized on only two cell sizes for all your devices decreasing
your chances of not having the cell you need ready to go when you really
need it. (and of course you could still use C or D primaries or NiMH as
well.)

That's *exactly* what people will do.

Buy online. It's not like you buy rechargeables every day.

I do! But it would be nice to be able to have the option of picking up
an acceptable product in local stores... I actually believe in
supporting local businesses, but they make it so hard.

If you buy that many rechargeables you *SHOULD* be buying, in bulk,
online. You're strange. Why would you think stores would cater to
you?


I meant that I always buy my rechargeables online (because I get better
quality products for less total cost, shipping included generally),
except for this one instance where I got a heads up that the Duraloops
were inexpensive, not that I'm buying them daily.

Then you've admitted my point.

Am I alone in being insulted by this?

Probably. If you're that ****ed off by common marketing, you must
have a very high-stress life.

Not really, I mean, I'm already over it,

Really. It got your blood pressure up for no damned reason.

but it really does show how
little the marketing department of your average large corporation thinks
of the intelligence of the average consumer.

They're selling what the consumer wants. It really is that simple.

The average consumer wants an overpriced, marginally usable to unusable
product?

Certainly. It's good enough - Existence theorem.

It wouldn't have been a big deal save for the fact that we all know that
C and D size NiMHs are pretty rare, I saw them on the rack and was
immediately drawn to them out of curiosity, then I read the package and
was just depressed and disgusted...

It's nothing new. The rechargeable D's weren't D's forty years ago.
You could tell just by picking up the package. It's what people want,
though.

Based on the Amazon reviews, it looks like that is an incorrect
statement.

It's certainly not. You're talking about a different target market.

Appears that lots of people are picking them up thinking
they can run baby swings, jobsite radios, etc. off of them and either
didn't look at the fine print or didn't realize how 2500 mAh compared to
a traditional alkaline cell, and subsequently felt ripped off. As I
would...

Did they read? You did, why can't they? Why are you still ****ed?
Sheesh, you really must lead a stressful life.