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Batteries and chargers
There is now a Wii in the house, so I need to get my act together
to keep its various bits supplied with power. Is this about the best bet for rechargeable AA batteries? http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=108409 I know that charging stands (with special battery packs) are available, but since the documentation specifically cautions against in-situ charging, I am unsure if these would invalidate the warranty. There certainly seem to be some tales of woe amongst product reviews. I notice that "conditioning" chargers such as http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=217900&C=Froogle&U=217900&T=M odule are available, at a price. I can see that this might enable me to rehabilitate, or classify as unrecoverable some of my existing battery collection. Has anyone had a good experience with this, or something like it? Alternatively is it simply a better economic solution to scrap the old batteries, and stick with my existing charger? Chris -- Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. |
Batteries and chargers
"Chris J Dixon" wrote in message ... There is now a Wii in the house, so I need to get my act together to keep its various bits supplied with power. Is this about the best bet for rechargeable AA batteries? http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=108409 I would recommend you get some of the hybrid NIMH batteries (Enloop are Sanyo's brand), as they have a far, far lower self discharge rate, so when you don't use the Wii for a few months, they will still be good to go, and not flat. Maplin sell them (at price!) I expect a similar version is available cheaper http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219932 -- Toby... Remove pants to reply |
Batteries and chargers
We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Bernard Peek saying something like: On 04/01/11 13:52, Chris J Dixon wrote: There is now a Wii in the house, so I need to get my act together to keep its various bits supplied with power. Is this about the best bet for rechargeable AA batteries? http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=108409 Also consider their "good to go" range. And have a look at www.component-shop.co.uk for Eneloops and Vapex Instant low self-discharge. I recommend these sellers. |
Batteries and chargers
On Jan 4, 2:30 pm, John Rumm wrote:
I have one very "smart" charger for AAs that can do capacity measurements, various charge currents etc. It can give you a good idea of the cell capacity, but I am not sure it can do much for knackered cells other than identify them. The very smart ones can also have difficulty if the cell voltage falls too far (either from auto discharge or getting reverse biased in an appliance due to cell mismatch), then they refuse to charge the cell at all. I find in those cases a couple of mins in a slightly dumber smart charger will be enough to have the posh one recognise and charge them again. mmm that behaviour (esp indicating cells are dead when they just need a lo-tech charger "shock" to get em started) is how my (assumed modest) Lidl charger behaves on occasion. Sometimes just leaving the "allegedly knackered" cells in the Lidl charger overnight can magically "restore" and charge them.... Jim K |
Batteries and chargers
"Toby" wrote in message ... "Chris J Dixon" wrote in message ... There is now a Wii in the house, so I need to get my act together to keep its various bits supplied with power. Is this about the best bet for rechargeable AA batteries? http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=108409 I would recommend you get some of the hybrid NIMH batteries (Enloop are Sanyo's brand), as they have a far, far lower self discharge rate, so when you don't use the Wii for a few months, they will still be good to go, and not flat. Maplin sell them (at price!) I expect a similar version is available cheaper http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219932 http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=107341 |
Batteries and chargers
I know that charging stands (with special battery packs) are available, but since the documentation specifically cautions against in-situ charging, I am unsure if these would invalidate the warranty. There certainly seem to be some tales of woe amongst product reviews. I have a cheapo charging stand for the kids Wii - the original controller battery cover is replaced with the supplied battery pack with contacts on the back if it's cover. Charges when placed in the stand. Has been in daily use for over a year with now issues. |
Batteries and chargers
On Thu, 6 Jan 2011 12:30:50 -0000, "AlanD"
wrote: I know that charging stands (with special battery packs) are available, but since the documentation specifically cautions against in-situ charging, I am unsure if these would invalidate the warranty. There certainly seem to be some tales of woe amongst product reviews. I have a cheapo charging stand for the kids Wii - the original controller battery cover is replaced with the supplied battery pack with contacts on the back if it's cover. Charges when placed in the stand. Has been in daily use for over a year with now issues. Personally I'd avoid a cheap charger as they can overcharge batteries and even "smart" chargers often charge batteries as a set. I use a Maha fast charger, which is very good, albeit expensive. -- (\__/) M. (='.'=) Due to the amount of spam posted via googlegroups and (")_(") their inaction to the problem. I am blocking some articles posted from there. If you wish your postings to be seen by everyone you will need use a different method of posting. |
Batteries and chargers
One thing to be aware of when using rechargeable batteries where the
kit may have been designed for dry cells is the probability/ possibility of batteries appearing flat prematurely. There isn't a huge difference in the voltage generated by a flat dry cell and that of a half charged NiCd or NiMH cell. Many of the guys running RC planes and boats run the receivers on 5 rechargeable cells (at 1.2V each) instead of 4 dry cells (at 1.5V each) to overcome this problem. |
Batteries and chargers
In article
, 1501 wrote: One thing to be aware of when using rechargeable batteries where the kit may have been designed for dry cells is the probability/ possibility of batteries appearing flat prematurely. There isn't a huge difference in the voltage generated by a flat dry cell and that of a half charged NiCd or NiMH cell. Rechargeables tend to have a flatter voltage discharge curve than alkalines. Many of the guys running RC planes and boats run the receivers on 5 rechargeable cells (at 1.2V each) instead of 4 dry cells (at 1.5V each) to overcome this problem. It really depends on design. If a device needs a constant voltage supply it has likely got a PS which will work just fine with the lower voltage. With something like a model plane the flying time might be more important than saving money by changing rechargeables more often than alkaline. Most devices have a built in battery container so don't offer an easy option of using an extra cell. -- *Local Area Network in Australia : The LAN down under* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
Batteries and chargers
1501 wrote:
One thing to be aware of when using rechargeable batteries where the kit may have been designed for dry cells is the probability/ possibility of batteries appearing flat prematurely. There isn't a huge difference in the voltage generated by a flat dry cell and that of a half charged NiCd or NiMH cell. Many of the guys running RC planes and boats run the receivers on 5 rechargeable cells (at 1.2V each) instead of 4 dry cells (at 1.5V each) to overcome this problem. No. most RC guys run on FOUR cells (4.8v) Dry cells have not been part of the receiver scene since the mid 60's They use 5 cells (6v) for faster and more powerful servo response. |
Batteries and chargers
On Jan 4, 7:04*pm, "JoeJoe" wrote:
"Toby" wrote in message ... "Chris J Dixon" wrote in message .. . There is now a Wii in the house, so I need to get my act together to keep its various bits supplied with power. Is this about the best bet for rechargeable AA batteries? http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products... I would recommend you get some of the hybrid NIMH batteries (Enloop are Sanyo's brand), as they have a far, far lower self discharge rate, so when you don't use the Wii for a few months, they will still be good to go, and not flat. Maplin sell them (at price!) I expect a similar version is available cheaper http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219932 http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=107341 The latter is a good company to deal with and don't charge VAT. A bit slow with dispatch, perhaps, but reliable. And you can always go them through Quidco or Topcash and get it a bit cheaper. John |
Batteries and chargers
On 07/01/11 13:26, John MacLeod wrote:
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=107341 The latter is a good company to deal with and don't charge VAT. A bit slow with dispatch, perhaps, but reliable. And you can always go them through Quidco or Topcash and get it a bit cheaper. There's an exemption from VAT for goods worth less than about £18 so they sometimes split orders into multiple small shipments. When I've used them I've had reasonably prompt delivery. I allow allow an extra day for the ferry to get across the channel. -- Bernard Peek |
Batteries and chargers
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Batteries and chargers
Skipweasel wrote:
In article , lid says... Many of the guys running RC planes and boats run the receivers on 5 rechargeable cells (at 1.2V each) instead of 4 dry cells (at 1.5V each) to overcome this problem. No. most RC guys run on FOUR cells (4.8v) Mostly they've moved to LiPo batteries anyway. For flight power yes, but not the IC or glider boys. Some use Lipos with 5v regulators on, but most still use nickel |
Batteries and chargers
On Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:56:47 +0000 Bernard Peek wrote :
There's an exemption from VAT for goods worth less than about £18 so they sometimes split orders into multiple small shipments. When I've used them I've had reasonably prompt delivery. I allow allow an extra day for the ferry to get across the channel. Here the exemption from GST (sales tax) is AS1000, about £650. One of our prominent retailers has just led a campaign against this, as being unfair to local retailers. This backfired spectacularly with newspaper reports telling everyone they could save 40% buying online http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/bil...105-19fi3.html -- Tony Bryer, Greentram: 'Software to build on' Melbourne, Australia www.superbeam.co.uk www.eurobeam.co.uk www.greentram.com |
Batteries and chargers
In message , Mark
writes On Thu, 6 Jan 2011 12:30:50 -0000, "AlanD" wrote: I know that charging stands (with special battery packs) are available, but since the documentation specifically cautions against in-situ charging, I am unsure if these would invalidate the warranty. There certainly seem to be some tales of woe amongst product reviews. I have a cheapo charging stand for the kids Wii - the original controller battery cover is replaced with the supplied battery pack with contacts on the back if it's cover. Charges when placed in the stand. Has been in daily use for over a year with now issues. Personally I'd avoid a cheap charger as they can overcharge batteries and even "smart" chargers often charge batteries as a set. I use a Maha fast charger, which is very good, albeit expensive. I do have a decent charger (ansmann), but also have one of the Wii charging stands - was given to us as a gift about a year ago. It's worked fine. It probably isn't an especially smart charger, I don't know. But shrug it's just a few sets of AAA batteries, they'll probably still last for years. It wasn't great shakes to change the batteries, but it is more convenient, and does give us somewhere to put the remotes rather than just ahving them lying about -- Chris French |
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