Better batteries ??

I think it depends on the specific use, Tom, and whether you're looking for single use or rechargeable or Lithium versus NIMH.

For instance, some batteries may be better at long term performance at the expense of more power, and vice versa.

For my Legacy Cab-2 remote I like the Tenergy rechargeable AA's available on the big A.

I've been using the Energizers which don't seem to leak as do the other popular brands. Most alkaline batteries tend to leak when they are totally discharged. But the Energizers have been good.

And I use the Energizer Lithium batteries in things that I may forget to check on for a long time. I never had one of them leak. I mostly buy all these at Sam's.

Tom- there was a lengthy thread recently about the topic. I've recently switched to Energizer from Duracell after getting tired of all the leaking and cleaning of terminals.

For rechargeable, I do the same.

This was after a recent adventure cleaning out my son's toy's of old batteries.

Bob

@cjack posted:

And I use the Energizer Lithium batteries in things that I may forget to check on for a long time. I never had one of them leak. I mostly buy all these at Sam's.

Yes to this!  ALL alkalines leak.  It’s only a matter of when.  Lithiums don’t leak and they have a very long shelf life.  The best price is at Sam’s.

I'm moving in the direction of single use lithium batteries. They are available in large quantities for about $1 a piece in AA or AAA sizes.   They have a long shelf life and last longer in use.  They are marketed as not leaking.

The Federal government is funding further development to improve Lithium batteries based on the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This will help us all.

I favor rechargeable NiMH, the best being Panasonic eneloop Pro.  They cost more than some but have never leaked in 10 year or more. They will hold there charge for months.   They also have a 1.25 voltage rating which may be low for some uses.  The Panasonic eneloop Pro's work well with my digital cameras and a photo site got me on eneloops Pro and they are the only way to go with cameras from thousands of reviews.  Cheaper NiMNs can be had and may be the way to go for lessor applications than cameras like portable radios.

I have given up on all alkali batteries.  I buy bulk cheap carbon cells at Dollar General and they do not leak like most any alkali.  I use carbon cells on my TV Cox cable remotes as they require more voltage than rechargeable NIMH cells 1.25 voltage.  In fact, the carbon batteries peter out at 1.25 v in Cox remotes and I save them for portable radios that do not require higher voltage.

Charlie

I usually kill remote batteries before they have a chance to leak. My suggestion is just to run your trains 3-4 hours at a crack and keep hitting the whistle button on the remote. That'll nuke the batteries before they have a chance to get old and leak .

@Tom Tee posted:

Which is the best battery to use for sensitive electronics and where is the best place to buy better batteries.  I am familiar with budget version of name brands and wish to avoid them.

Thank you,  Tom

Tom,

Did you mean remote batteries as most above answered about or did you mean batteries to power your engine?

If the later, I like MTO Lithium Ion (LiIon) batteries with PCB protection.  These are different than RC Lipo batteries.

You can get them directly from MTO, but you may be able to save a few dollars by getting them from Model Trains - Model Trains, Model Train Stuff, Model Railway Shops (gscaleinstallations.net)  You can get them in various voltages and capacities to fit your project.

If you don't mind a little solder work to change the leads you can get cheaper batteries at XML battery XML Battery Ni-CD Ni-MH Lithium Batteries.  I did a review on their LiIon with PCB vs MTO.  Very little difference.

If you really meant remote batts, then all of the above is useless.

Have Fun!

Ron

@MikeH posted:

Yes to this!  ALL alkalines leak.  It’s only a matter of when.  Lithiums don’t leak and they have a very long shelf life.  The best price is at Sam’s.

One problem with Lithium primary batteries.  They will discharge much faster in certain applications.  I noticed when I tried to use them in my TV and cable box remotes, they didn't last as long as alkaline batteries.  I can only guess that the higher starting voltage is causing the remote electronics to draw more current.

Good to know, John.  Thus far I’ve been too cheap to try lithiums in them.  Those remotes are the last stand for alkalines in my house.  Those batteries tend to get swapped with enough frequency that they haven’t had a chance to leak yet.

Latest input on Lithium batteries is that Lithium metal batteries might eventually replace Lithium-ion batteries. Higher capacity and much safer is what is claimed. Major push is for electric vehicles.

@Ron045 posted:

Tom,

Did you mean remote batteries as most above answered about or did you mean batteries to power your engine?

If the later, I like MTO Lithium Ion (LiIon) batteries with PCB protection.  These are different than RC Lipo batteries.

You can get them directly from MTO, but you may be able to save a few dollars by getting them from Model Trains - Model Trains, Model Train Stuff, Model Railway Shops (gscaleinstallations.net)  You can get them in various voltages and capacities to fit your project.

If you don't mind a little solder work to change the leads you can get cheaper batteries at XML battery XML Battery Ni-CD Ni-MH Lithium Batteries.  I did a review on their LiIon with PCB vs MTO.  Very little difference.

If you really meant remote batts, then all of the above is useless.

Have Fun!

Ron

100% of my R/C powered units are MTO.  Super safe and they can be custom assembled to fit tight quarters.