Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Hi,
What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron |
#2
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:59:29 -0700 (PDT), Aaron Fude wrote:
Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Given the higher cost of rechargables and their self-discharge rate over time, I would say that common throw-away alkaline batteries would be most cost-effective in devices that are very rarely used, and they will stay fresh for several years of non-use. If the device tends to sit unused for months at a time, I would just use disposable batteries but would not keep them in the device in case they leak during storage. Rechargables are a better idea for devices where you have to replace the batteries often. -- Travis Evans [Obtain email address by removing all Q's.] |
#3
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
"Travis Evans" wrote in message Given the higher cost of rechargables and their self-discharge rate over time, I would say that common throw-away alkaline batteries would be most cost-effective in devices that are very rarely used, and they will stay fresh for several years of non-use. If the device tends to sit unused for months at a time, I would just use disposable batteries but would not keep them in the device in case they leak during storage. Rechargables are a better idea for devices where you have to replace the batteries often. Depends on the entire situation. If you have rechargables and can use them in different units at different times they can be worth the up front cost. Otherwise agree with you on the alkalines |
#4
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Aaron Fude wrote:
Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron Rechargables are generally a bad choice for seldom-used items, since Murpy's law applies- when you want to use it, the charge will have leaked down. And if you keep it on a charger all the time without using it, the batteries die young, not to mention you waste juice. Life is too short, etc. Buy Duracells or similar name brand, but don't keep them in the device unless you use it at least weekly or so. (Most devices have a small draw even when off, and even brand names sometimes leak when fully flat.) I keep an assortment in the junk drawer, and add it to the grocery list when the blister packs only have a couple left. Much cheaper in bulk packs, especially if you cut the coupon from the Sunday paper- they are in there at least once a month. I have maybe a dozen battery devices in semi-regular use, and spend maybe 30 bucks a year on batteries. Don't keep too big a shelf stock, though- in my experience those 'good until' dates on the batteries are rather optimistic. -- aem sends... |
#5
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:47:36 -0400, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Travis Evans" wrote in message Given the higher cost of rechargables and their self-discharge rate over time, I would say that common throw-away alkaline batteries would be most cost-effective in devices that are very rarely used, and they will stay fresh for several years of non-use. If the device tends to sit unused for months at a time, I would just use disposable batteries but would not keep them in the device in case they leak during storage. Rechargables are a better idea for devices where you have to replace the batteries often. Depends on the entire situation. If you have rechargables and can use them in different units at different times they can be worth the up front cost. Otherwise agree with you on the alkalines You have a point here. I often use rechargeables in my TV/VCR remotes even though alkalines would probably theoretically be a better choice, simply because I have lots of rechargeables and usually very few alkalines, if any, on hand. -- Travis Evans [Obtain email address by removing all Q's.] |
#6
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On 9/28/2008 5:59 PM Aaron Fude spake thus:
What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Read through the articles on this site: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/index.htm I think I got this from someone in this group not long ago. Lots of good info about how batteries work, differences between different types, and which ones are good for which applications. -- Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. - Paulo Freire |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
aemeijers wrote in
: Aaron Fude wrote: Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron Rechargables are generally a bad choice for seldom-used items, since Murpy's law applies- when you want to use it, the charge will have leaked down. And if you keep it on a charger all the time without using it, the batteries die young, not to mention you waste juice. Life is too short, etc. Buy Duracells or similar name brand, but don't keep them in the device unless you use it at least weekly or so. (Most devices have a small draw even when off, and even brand names sometimes leak when fully flat.) In my own experience,Duracells LEAK far more often than Everready or Fuji Novel.(even when -still powering- the unit.) I will not buy Duracells any more. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
#8
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Jim Yanik wrote:
aemeijers wrote in : Aaron Fude wrote: Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron Rechargables are generally a bad choice for seldom-used items, since Murpy's law applies- when you want to use it, the charge will have leaked down. And if you keep it on a charger all the time without using it, the batteries die young, not to mention you waste juice. Life is too short, etc. Buy Duracells or similar name brand, but don't keep them in the device unless you use it at least weekly or so. (Most devices have a small draw even when off, and even brand names sometimes leak when fully flat.) In my own experience,Duracells LEAK far more often than Everready or Fuji Novel.(even when -still powering- the unit.) I will not buy Duracells any more. This is my experience also. Duracell batteries cause too much damage and are not dependable. |
#9
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
About a year ago, I bought several Duracell NiMH rechargable cells. Use in
my digital camera, and Mini Mag flash light. I've been very pleased with them. The folks at the local walmart say that Energizer brand work better. Faster flash charge time. I may buy some to try out. And with your field report about Duracell primary use alkalines. Maybe that company has some quality control problems. I found the generic NiMH cells I got off Ebay were poor. And a couple of them didn't hold a charge very well at all, even when freshly charged. For the original poster's label maker, I also suggest alkalines. I've used a lot of Thunderbolt Magnum cells from Harbor Freight, and they have been consistently good to me. The black and gold "Infinity beyond" cells from ebay, the AAA cells had a lot of leakers. The AA cells have all been fine, in Infinity Beyond brand. I got a good price, and then promptly found that the AAA cells had a lot of leakers. About one in ten. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Jim Yanik" wrote in message ... In my own experience,Duracells LEAK far more often than Everready or Fuji Novel.(even when -still powering- the unit.) I will not buy Duracells any more. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
#10
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Discount alkalines like Panasonic, Toshiba, Thunderbolt Magnum. Should do
just fine. Ray O Vac are also very good. I would not use rechargable cells, as they go flat on thier own, and you'd waste more time charging them before each use. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Aaron Fude" wrote in message ... Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron |
#11
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Sep 28, 9:13*pm, Jim Yanik wrote:
aemeijers wrote : Aaron Fude wrote: Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron Rechargables are generally a bad choice for seldom-used items, since Murpy's law applies- when you want to use it, the charge will have leaked down. And if you keep it on a charger all the time without using it, the batteries die young, not to mention you waste juice. Life is too short, etc. Buy Duracells or similar name brand, but don't keep them in the device unless you use it at least weekly or so. (Most devices have a small draw even when off, and even brand names sometimes leak when fully flat.) In my own experience,Duracells LEAK far more often than Everready or Fuji Novel.(even when -still powering- the unit.) I will not buy Duracells any more. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net I totally agree with Jim on DuraCells....I had them destroy a couple of Maglights that were in cars. I wrote ot Duracell about the problem with D cells failing & leaking in Maglights; I hypothesised some sort of incompatibilyt iwth the flashlights? I've had Duracells leak in about four Maglights over the last 15 years. This last time I got new Maglights (again) & battery vouchers.....kept the flashlights, gave the vouchers away. I switched to Eveready when I had two flashlight in the same vehicle; one with Duracells, the other Eveready. Durcells leaked, Eveready did not leak. AF- If you have lots of battery usage & only a few sizes...rechargeables can be cheaper but as my battery usage fell off (no more kids' toys) I switched back to large package purchases of Eveready alkaline (AA & D), on sale if possible cheers Bob |
#12
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
"Boden" wrote in message In my own experience,Duracells LEAK far more often than Everready or Fuji Novel.(even when -still powering- the unit.) I will not buy Duracells any more. This is my experience also. Duracell batteries cause too much damage and are not dependable. I can only think of one time in the past 10+ years that I've had a battery leak and it was not a Duracell. We use mostly Duracell at work and never had a leak. I rate them as rather dependable. |
#13
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
: About a year ago, I bought several Duracell NiMH rechargable cells. Use in my digital camera, and Mini Mag flash light. I've been very pleased with them. The folks at the local walmart say that Energizer brand work better. Faster flash charge time. I may buy some to try out. The Duracell leakage I experienced was with alkalines. And with your field report about Duracell primary use alkalines. Maybe that company has some quality control problems. I found the generic NiMH cells I got off Ebay were poor. And a couple of them didn't hold a charge very well at all, even when freshly charged. For the original poster's label maker, I also suggest alkalines. I've used a lot of Thunderbolt Magnum cells from Harbor Freight, and they have been consistently good to me. I bought one box of AAA alkaline's from HF,and even the unused,stored ones began leaking. I prefer Fuji Novel alkalines,as the price is lower than brand name cells. (from Big Lots stores) -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
#14
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Like you, I have a label maker that is seldom used.
I just bought the plug in adapter and quit worrying about the batteries. Try Amazon. "Aaron Fude" wrote in message ... Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron |
#15
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
About a year ago, I bought several Duracell NiMH rechargable cells. Use in my digital camera, and Mini Mag flash light. I've been very pleased with them. The folks at the local walmart say that Energizer brand work better. Faster flash charge time. I may buy some to try out. The Duracell leakage I experienced was with alkalines. SM: Yes, you did write that. For the original poster's label maker, I also suggest alkalines. I've used a lot of Thunderbolt Magnum cells from Harbor Freight, and they have been consistently good to me. I bought one box of AAA alkaline's from HF,and even the unused,stored ones began leaking. SM: Oops! Thanks for the head up. I was going to buy some AAA cells at HF later today. I prefer Fuji Novel alkalines,as the price is lower than brand name cells. (from Big Lots stores) SM: Friend of mine likes Dollar General. I may try them. He says their AA cells are five bucks for 24 cells, which is a very good price. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
#16
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:59:29 -0700 (PDT), Aaron Fude
wrote: Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? The new rechargeables that keep their charge like regular alkalines (long shelf life, unlike ordinary rechargeables), would be a good idea. Hybrio is one brand, there are several now. |
#17
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
|
#18
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
According to those in the know (not me) RECHARGABLES just do not work... The claim is that 8 rechargable AA's only put out a total of 9.6 v not when freshly charge not the 12 V that the regular AA's put out... so while the rechargables will work for 10 minutes when the voltage even drops a hair all hell breaks loose because the scope dances all over the sky ... instead of slewing to Jupiter or some specific target... Not that it makes any difference because everyone runs off a 12 V Gel cell battery or regulated power supply anyway... BUT is it really true that a rechargable AA does not puty out a full 1.5 V when freshly charged... Bob G According to those who know the rechargeable low self discharge NIMH batteries that are usually termed hybrid will work in most applications. The exception is your example above. In that case and some others the electronics were designed for 1.5 volt alkaline's and the circuit will deliberately shut down or malfunction if it doesn't see the expected voltage. Most circuits are not designed to be so voltage sensitive. The NIMH AA's have plenty of power down to about 1.15 volts per cell. Most simple battery operated devices will work at this voltage. |
#19
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Bob G. rg327_remove_comcast.net writes:
According to those in the know (not me) RECHARGABLES just do not work... The claim is that 8 rechargable AA's only put out a total of 9.6 v not when freshly charge not the 12 V that the regular AA's put out... so while the rechargables will work for 10 minutes when the voltage even drops a hair all hell breaks loose because the scope dances all over the sky ... instead of slewing to Jupiter or some specific target... That's only true of badly-designed electronics. Alkalines are 1.5 V when new, but drop to 1.0 V or lower at the end of their life, depending on load. Any well-designed electronic device intended to operate from alkalines ought to operate down to 1.0 volts per cell, or at least 1.1 V per cell. Any device that doesn't operate at this voltage is leaving a substantial amount of energy in the batteries when it shuts down or begins to malfunction. Rechargeable NiCd and NiMH cells drop quickly to 1.2 V per cell, and then *remain at that voltage* until they are almost completely discharged. Since this is above the cutoff voltage that should have been designed in for alkalines, rechargeables work fine in almost well-designed electronics. In the case of 8 cells in series, alkalines supply 8-12 V, so the electronics ought to work properly on 8 V, and the 9.6 V supplied by rechargeables is well above this limit. (There are sometimes problems with rechargeables working too well - their lower internal resistance means they can deliver several times as much current into a low-resistance load as an alkaline cell of the same size. Some electronics built assuming the alkaline cell's internal resistance is part of the circuit can be overloaded and burned out when rechargeables are used instead (e.g. certain cheap electronic flashes from 30 years ago). And battery packs with NiCd or NiMH cells need a fuse or circuit breaker if there's any chance of the terminals being shorted, while an akaline pack does not.) Dave |
#20
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Have some fun, put some nonrechargables in a battery charger and see
what happens... Great family fun..! |
#21
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
|
#22
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
rechargeables are for frequent-use items(due to self-discharge rates) Not any more. Revised NIMH technology puts a premium on low self discharge. |
#23
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
|
#24
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Off the topic of labellers, the old CB walkie talkies used to have a dummy
cell which replaced 2 AA cells. If you used rechargables, you use 10 batteries. For alkalines, you use 8 batteries, and a dummy insert. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Bob G." rg327_remove_comcast.net wrote in message ... Sorry that I am comming into this thread so late....BUT I am a Backyard astronomer who uses a Goto computerized Scope that can be powered by AA Batteries... According to those in the know (not me) RECHARGABLES just do not work... The claim is that 8 rechargable AA's only put out a total of 9.6 v not when freshly charge not the 12 V that the regular AA's put out... so while the rechargables will work for 10 minutes when the voltage even drops a hair all hell breaks loose because the scope dances all over the sky ... instead of slewing to Jupiter or some specific target... Not that it makes any difference because everyone runs off a 12 V Gel cell battery or regulated power supply anyway... BUT is it really true that a rechargable AA does not puty out a full 1.5 V when freshly charged... Bob G |
#26
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Oct 1, 11:01*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
= Not that it makes any difference because everyone runs off a 12 V Gel cell battery or regulated power supply anyway... BUT is it really true that a rechargable AA does not puty out a full 1.5 V when freshly charged... Bob G yeah. because it's different chemistry. The voltage between any two substances depends on the two substances, basically the difference between each of them's attraction for electrons. carbon and zinc, you get 1.5 volts. nickel and cadmium, 1.25. etc. |
#27
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Oct 3, 1:27*pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 10/1/2008 5:53 PM spake thus: Have some fun, put some nonrechargables in a battery charger and see what happens... Great family fun..! I assume you're referring to that oft-repeated claim that you must Never Ever Put Non-Rechargeable Batteries In A Charger, printed on all batteries and chargers. Or else they'll explode and destroy your house and kill all its occupants. Not true. I'm here to tell you that I've been recharging non-rechargeables (alkalines, mostly) in my chargers for decades now. The worst that happens is that a cell will leak; this isn't the end of the world, and my charger still works even though that's happened to it several times. I'm not recommending this, as it only gives a weak charge at best, but it will often restore a marginal cell to working capacity for at least a little while. The AAAs in my remote are Duracell alkalines that I've recharged several times, and they're still working great. I'm guessing this is because the remote draws so little current that it doesn't take much juice to satisfy it. -- * Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. - Paulo Freire yeah, before rechargables became as popular as they are, we nerdy people used to "recharge" carbon zinc and alkalines fairly often, either with special gadgets or just homebrew items. unlike rechargables, when regular batteries "die", they're not usually exhausted chemically; but hydrogen builds up inside and the bubbles collect around whichever electrode, and that kind of impedes the current flow. so you reverse the polarity and drive the hydrogen off the electrode and you're back in business. a lot of that chemical guck that's inside the battery is in order to reduce the hydrogen formation. As you say, the only downside is that if it overheats from running too much current too long, the expansion will make it spring a leak. i can't imagine what you'd have to try to charge it with to cause it to blow up. |
#28
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Please be more careful with your quoted text. I didn't write that, nor is my
name Bob G. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "z" wrote in message ... On Oct 1, 11:01 pm, "Stormin Mormon" = Not that it makes any difference because everyone runs off a 12 V Gel cell battery or regulated power supply anyway... BUT is it really true that a rechargable AA does not puty out a full 1.5 V when freshly charged... Bob G |
#29
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Decades ago, my Dad had a charger for reinflating carbon zinc cells. The
batteries weren't worth much, and the charger didn't help much either. To explode a battery, do you need a defibrillator? 400 watt seconds! CLEAR! Rampart, we have battery explosion. Treating with sterile water rinse. What? D5W TKO? -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "z" wrote in message ... yeah, before rechargables became as popular as they are, we nerdy people used to "recharge" carbon zinc and alkalines fairly often, either with special gadgets or just homebrew items. unlike rechargables, when regular batteries "die", they're not usually exhausted chemically; but hydrogen builds up inside and the bubbles collect around whichever electrode, and that kind of impedes the current flow. so you reverse the polarity and drive the hydrogen off the electrode and you're back in business. a lot of that chemical guck that's inside the battery is in order to reduce the hydrogen formation. As you say, the only downside is that if it overheats from running too much current too long, the expansion will make it spring a leak. i can't imagine what you'd have to try to charge it with to cause it to blow up. |
#30
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
In article ,
"Stormin Mormon" wrote: Please be more careful with your quoted text. I didn't write that, nor is my name Bob G. Please STOP ****ing TOP-POSTING, as you've been asked to do 1000 times, and maybe quoting you would be easier. |
#31
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On 10/3/2008 10:39 PM Smitty Two spake thus:
In article , "Stormin Mormon" wrote: Please be more careful with your quoted text. I didn't write that, nor is my name Bob G. Please STOP ****ing TOP-POSTING, as you've been asked to do 1000 times, and maybe quoting you would be easier. I'd be happy if he'd set up his newsreader (Outhouse Express) so it doesn't put everything below his top-posted reply into his *sig*. -- Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. - Paulo Freire |
#32
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:39:03 -0700, Smitty Two
wrote: In article , "Stormin Mormon" wrote: Please be more careful with your quoted text. I didn't write that, nor is my name Bob G. Please STOP ****ing TOP-POSTING, as you've been asked to do 1000 times, and maybe quoting you would be easier. The problem isn't top-posting itself, but the location of the sig in the post (it should come after the original text and quoted text). Also, identifying quoted text (such as with the usual '') would help. |
#33
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
I buy my batteries at costco -- and use their own brand. Seem fine to me. Never leaked so far. David |
#34
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
On Sep 28, 8:59*pm, Aaron Fude wrote:
Hi, What are the most economical batteries to use in devices that are rarely used, such as a label maker (e.g. 15 labels a year). I've gathered over the years that in items like flashlights it pays to use better brands, but what about the situation above? Are rechargables a good idea for that? Many thanks in advance, Aaron I would suggest not leaving batteries in them. Keep a supply of alkaline batteries of the sizes you need and then just put them in the devices when they are being used. The slight inconvenience will be small compared to the cost of dead batteries and the possible damage due to leakage. |
#36
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
What batteries to use?
Alkaline is the better choice.
Posted from the Free Home Improvement Forum at http://www.spicyhome.com |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
JCB 24v SDS Batteries | UK diy | |||
Batteries | Home Repair | |||
14.4v batteries | UK diy | |||
ni-cad batteries | Woodworking |