🚀 go-pugleaf

On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100
"john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:

> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
> tomorrow.
> 
> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four
> for �10.99.  Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA
> 850 mAh at �5.99  (and 1000 mAh AAA at �14.99, which seems a big jump
> in proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
> 
> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any
> extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of
> Argos?
> 
> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
> 
Hybrids are only really useful in devices that have a very low power
requirement or aren't used for long periods, as they retain charge
better than conventional NiMH.  ISTR Lidl was pretty cheap for no-name
NiMH last time I looked.

<nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message 
news:20100614160113.2c9f67c9@bluemoon...
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100
> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>> tomorrow.
>>
>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four
>> for �10.99.  Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA
>> 850 mAh at �5.99  (and 1000 mAh AAA at �14.99, which seems a big jump
>> in proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>
>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any
>> extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of
>> Argos?
>>
>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>>
> Hybrids are only really useful in devices that have a very low power
> requirement or aren't used for long periods, as they retain charge
> better than conventional NiMH.  ISTR Lidl was pretty cheap for no-name
> NiMH last time I looked.

Or even better, 7dayshop.com are usually the cheapest.  I buy their own 
brand AAs and AAAs for around �4 for a pack of 4.  Watch out for retailers 
selling lower capacity rechargeables. 

"CD" <no@way.ok> wrote in message 
news:m7uc16hj7nvmodlba21duidjf9i6ekoru2@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100, "john hamiliton"
> <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>
>>Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable
>>batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.  Thanks.
>
> Both Lidl & Aldi do them for around �2.79 for 4, I think Lidl also
> have a charger bundle currently too. I have loads of them powering
> various kids toys & the dect phones with no problems. Just buy 2 sets
> for continued listening.

The thing I would strongly recommend is to get one of the slightly more 
expensive chargers which senses and recharges individual cells. I get much 
better life out of sets of (AA) batteries since I changed over to one of 
them. 

"john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message 
news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no 
> tomorrow.
>
> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for 
> �10.99.  Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh 
> at �5.99  (and 1000 mAh AAA at �14.99, which seems a big jump in 
> proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>
> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra 
> advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
>
> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable 
> batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.  Thanks.

Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide a 
slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in voltage 
that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that a 850mAh 
hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary one, at least 
that's what I've found with my digital camera.

As for where to buy them; Amazon has good prices (4x AAA uniross hybrio for 
<�4 and free P&P )

"CD" <no@way.ok> wrote in message
news:m7uc16hj7nvmodlba21duidjf9i6ekoru2@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100, "john hamiliton"
> <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>>Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable
>>batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.  Thanks.
>
> Both Lidl & Aldi do them for around �2.79 for 4, I think Lidl also
> have a charger bundle currently too. I have loads of them powering
> various kids toys & the dect phones with no problems. Just buy 2 sets
> for continued listening.
>
>
For the money Lidl's Tronic brand NiMh cells are great, only problem
is it's anyone's guess when they are in stock.
My local lidl's have been out of stock of them for the last 6 months

Lots of hi capacity AAA on eBay such as:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-AAA-1800mAH-Ni-MH-Recycle-Rechargeable-Battery-Purple-/250608816716?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&hash=item3a5973124c

�3.28 for 8

Steve Terry
-- 
Welcome Sign-up Bonus of �1 when you signup free at:
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/G4WWK 

"newshound" <newshound@fairadsl.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:87ndrjFpakU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> "CD" <no@way.ok> wrote in message 
> news:m7uc16hj7nvmodlba21duidjf9i6ekoru2@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100, "john hamiliton"
>> <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these 
>>>rechargable
>>>batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.  Thanks.
>>
>> Both Lidl & Aldi do them for around �2.79 for 4, I think Lidl also
>> have a charger bundle currently too. I have loads of them powering
>> various kids toys & the dect phones with no problems. Just buy 2 sets
>> for continued listening.
>
> The thing I would strongly recommend is to get one of the slightly more 
> expensive chargers which senses and recharges individual cells. I get much 
> better life out of sets of (AA) batteries since I changed over to one of 
> them.


That's what I was about to suggest.  These chargers prevent over- and 
under-charging by sensing the voltage of each cell while they are being 
charged. 

"OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message 
news:87nh55FeasU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message 
> news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no 
>> tomorrow.
>>
>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for 
>> �10.99.  Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh 
>> at �5.99  (and 1000 mAh AAA at �14.99, which seems a big jump in 
>> proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>
>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra 
>> advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
>>
>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these 
>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. 
>> Thanks.
>
> Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide a 
> slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in 
> voltage that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that a 
> 850mAh hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary one, at 
> least that's what I've found with my digital camera.

Hybrids have slightly less capacity than regular NiMH batteries but lower 
self-discharge rate and hence longer shelf life.  For a DAB radio that's not 
used infrequently, I'd be inclined to use regular cells. 

In message <hv7fjk$cgl$1@news.eternal-september.org>, Mr. Benn 
<invalid@invalid.invalid> writes
>"OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message 
>news:87nh55FeasU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message 
>>news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no 
>>>tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at 
>>>four for  �10.99.  Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary 
>>>rechargable' AAA 850 mAh  at �5.99  (and 1000 mAh AAA at �14.99, 
>>>which seems a big jump in  proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>>
>>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any 
>>>extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of 
>>>Argos?
>>>
>>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these 
>>>rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. 
>>>Thanks.
>>
>> Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide 
>>a slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in 
>>voltage that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that 
>>a  850mAh hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary 
>>one, at  least that's what I've found with my digital camera.
>
>Hybrids have slightly less capacity than regular NiMH batteries but 
>lower self-discharge rate and hence longer shelf life.  For a DAB radio 
>that's not used infrequently, I'd be inclined to use regular cells.

Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get 
from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried 
it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't 
last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it 
will keep going for some time on FM.
-- 
Ian

On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:

>
> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get from 
> NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried it 
> lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't last long 
> on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it will keep going 
> for some time on FM.
>

I have one that takes C size cells and it just doesn't work with 
rechargable.  I tried with some old nicads.  It works if I put an extra 
two into the circuit.

I have a couple of Roberts dab radios that have a switch to select battery 
type.  These seem OK.

Alan

"Mr. Benn" <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in message 
news:hv7fjk$cgl$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> "OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message 
> news:87nh55FeasU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message 
>> news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no 
>>> tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four 
>>> for �10.99.  Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 
>>> 850 mAh at �5.99  (and 1000 mAh AAA at �14.99, which seems a big jump in 
>>> proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>>
>>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra 
>>> advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
>>>
>>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these 
>>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. 
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide a 
>> slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in 
>> voltage that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that a 
>> 850mAh hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary one, 
>> at least that's what I've found with my digital camera.
>
> Hybrids have slightly less capacity than regular NiMH batteries but lower 
> self-discharge rate and hence longer shelf life.

Ahem; it is also a characteristic that the voltage is higher for longer 
during discharge, so they trigger the 'low battery' warning later than 
standard NiMH cells.

In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clifford.ac>, 
Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
>
>>
>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you 
>>get from  NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've 
>>not tried it  lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB 
>>radio) doesn't last long  on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or 
>>two. After that, it will keep going  for some time on FM.
>>
>
>I have one that takes C size cells and it just doesn't work with 
>rechargable. I tried with some old nicads.  It works if I put an extra 
>two into the circuit.
>
>I have a couple of Roberts dab radios that have a switch to select 
>battery type.  These seem OK.
>
Noted. Thanks.
Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
-- 
Ian

"Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:QC5I6XJ0m9FMFwxW@g3ohx.demon.co.uk...
> In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clifford.ac>, 
> Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>>On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
<snip>
> Noted. Thanks.
> Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
> Ian
>
It depends on the battery case layout.
e.g. a series pair of AA can be substituted with 3 x 2/3rd AA

and C cells can be had in 2/3 3/5, etc. sizes

http://www.powerstream.com/Size.htm

Steve Terry
-- 
Welcome Sign-up Bonus of �1 when you signup free at:
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/G4WWK 

Ian Jackson wrote:

> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get 
> from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried 
> it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't 
> last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it 
> will keep going for some time on FM.

That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables!  The end point 
voltage for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of 
their life below 1.2.

David Woolley wrote:

> Ian Jackson wrote:
>
>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you
>> get from NiMH
>
> That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point voltage
> for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of their
> life below 1.2.

My Pure Evoke3 can either take C-Cells or a rechargeable battery pack, 
it worked OK on normal NiMH C-Cells but I kept forgetting to take them 
out and recharge them, so I bought their special pack (which contains 
NiMH C cells and a small PCB and connects to a dedicated charging socket 
not the battery terminals) this worked ok, but their charging circuit 
absolutely cooked the NiMHs they were hot all the time, and didn't last 
long, reluctantly I bought their newer rechargeable battery pack, which 
is a LiPo and seems to charge sensibly ...

In message <hv8r9l$ilc$1@news.eternal-september.org>, Steve Terry 
<gfourwwk@tesco.net> writes
>"Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:QC5I6XJ0m9FMFwxW@g3ohx.demon.co.uk...
>> In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clifford.ac>,
>> Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>>>On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
><snip>
>> Noted. Thanks.
>> Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
>> Ian
>>
>It depends on the battery case layout.
>e.g. a series pair of AA can be substituted with 3 x 2/3rd AA
>
>and C cells can be had in 2/3 3/5, etc. sizes
>
>http://www.powerstream.com/Size.htm
>
I know that 'shortened' battery sizes exist, but I've never used them 
myself. As they are non-standard, they are not so readily-available, and 
(although I haven't checked  yet), guess that they are more expensive.
-- 
Ian