"daestrom" wrote in message
...

"Sammy" wrote in message
...
How does the capacity of a Duracell-brand AA cell (Duracell ordinary
or Duracell ultra) compare to one of the high-capacity NiMH cells
(eg
2100 mAh)?


I am assuming, of course, that any applicance using the cells would
work down to the 1.2 volts of the NiMH.

Well, all questions of 'tea' left aside, this is what I've found out
from
research/usage.

If you compare two 'fresh' batteries, one alkaline and one NiMH,
you'll find
that the NiMH has a much higher capacity. But the NiMH *also* have a
much
higher self-discharge rate. If the application uses power at anything
like
the 20-hour discharge rate, the NiMH will win hands down. But if the
application is on the order of 'several-month' rate, the
self-discharge of
the NiMH will be a bigger 'draw' on the battery capacity than the
application. So the alkaline battery wins.

daestrom
P.S. of course NiMH are rechargable, whereas alkaline are not.

Well, alkalines _are_ rechargeable, as you can see if you buy the
Rayovac Renewal rechargeable alkalines. They do recharge, but in my
experience, they don't get very many charges before the capacity is
greatly diminished.