Rechargeable Batteries for Remote

I use Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables and am very happy with them.  I buy them from Amazon.com.  I use them in almost everything now, so much so that I can't even remember the last time I bought regular AA or AAA batteries.  I make sure that I have 4 more rechargeables than I need so that I always have a charged set to swap out.

 

When using rechargeables, it is important to have a "smart" charger to charge them.  The cheap chargers will charge the batteries, but they charge in such a way that they shorten the life of the battery (I learned this lesson the hard way and almost gave up on rechargeables as a result).  Fortunately, a "smart" charger can often bring these batteries back to life.  I use a La Crosse Technology BC-1000 (they have less expensive models with fewer advanced features), but there are other good models out there as well.  I suggest reading the BC-1000 (or BC-700) review section on Amazon to get more technical details, especially the stuff written by "NLee the Engineer."

 

Andy

Andy Do you use Eneloope recharchables in your Legacy remote?

Thanx, Andy - I'll check out the smart chargers on e bay and amazon.

I use the Energizer charger that can charge AA and AAA batteries that plugs into the wall. My Legacy charger died a long time ago so I just use AA's. There is a big light that turns green when there charged that turns off the charge when their done.

 

Yes, I do, but I do not charge them with the Legacy Base.  I think Lionel advises against these batteries if you plan on using the Legacy Base as the charger.

 

Andy

 

Chris, that was the one I was using before I got my "smart" charger.  After a while, I noticed that the batteries were not keeping their charge for very long (and not lasting as long in use as they did when new).  That is when I got frustrated, and almost stopped using them altogether.  It was the charger that was the issue, not the batteries.  Once I got my "smart" charger, I was able to revive all but one or two of my Energizer rechargebles and am still using the revived ones.

 

Andy

Paul,

   Chris Lonero & I seem to use the same Energizer batteries and chargers, I actually have 2 chargers and many batteries that I charge at different times.  I purchased mine at Sams.  I like these particular chargers because they show with a light, when the batteries are fully charged and will not over charge the batteries, also they are not all that expensive.  Also Andy's advise about the Smart charger is right on the money, they work the best for longevity battery life.

PCRR/Dave

 

 

 

Most Rechargeable battery's have a slightly lower voltage than non rechargeable.

  Typically 1.2 volts each, non rechargeable start at aprox 1.65 volts and gradually go to a unusable voltage. Some devices will not operate properly with the lower voltage.

  Most rechargeable batteries also self discharge. This is particularly bad with the old Ni Cads. In a month most of them will discharge.

  I said all of this to point out that not all devices will work with rechargeable and if you use rechargeable you will need to charge them regularly even if you do not use the device they are in. Don

Here are a couple of links to explain more about why "smart" chargers are better than "dumb" chargers, and compares some brands.  Having a "smart" charger with the capacity to refresh batteries was the most important factor in why I went with the La Crosse model.

 

Link 1 - Chargers

 

Link 2 - FAQ

 

Andy

Boy was this an interesting lesson!  OK, Andy - I'm going with the La Crosse BC700 as I don't need all the "technology" of the BC1000.  As long as it's a Smart Charger and automatically shuts off I'm good.  

Andy - once it knows that the battery is charged I understand it will shut off but can the batteries be left in the charger for a length of time after that??????

Also I noticed after looking on E Bay that there are different types of Sanyo Eneloop batteries - any recommendations for the MTH remote????

 

I have left the batteries in the charger for at least a day after they should have been fully charged with no noticeable effect.  I wouldn't do it on a regular basis, though (see the section regarding removing batteries and  "trickle" charges near the bottom of the second link in my post above).

 

I use the Eneloops that are listed as "New" type 2000 mAh (1900 mAh min)".  There are a lot of older versions out there on the market.  There are also Eneloop XX high capacity batteries, but I haven't tried them yet (don't feel the need for the extra $$$).

 

One thing I should mention is that I do not yet have a DCS system, so I don't know how well the DCS remote will like the rechargeables, but I have been using the Eneloops in my Legacy remote for over a year with no problems.

 

Andy

I have the Radio Shack charger.  It has two lights: one is lit while discharging, then the other goes on when charging.  It will completely discharge a battery first before it begins charging. This is supposed to erase any "memory" problem the battery may have.  It is also "smart" in that it shuts off when charging is complete.  Get metal hydride batteries which are superior to ni-cad.

.....

Dennis

Hey Harleylito

When not using the remote, Don't forget to lift one battery in the DCS remote off its contact. This will greatly extend the life of the batteries. Seems to work for me.

Clem

Clem - that tip is a new one on me - does it hold true for rechargeable in a MTH remote?

 

Dennis - metal hydride batteries it is!!

 

Andy - sounds like your batteries are metal hydride by their "mAh" designation - yes?

 

Thanx to all for a great learning experience!

mAh = milliamp hour.  One-thousandth of an Ampere-hour.

 

NiMH = Nickel-metal hydride

 

The Eneloop batteries are Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.

 

Andy

I have been using rechargeable Nimh batteries in my DCS Remote for a few years with excellent results. I buy the Nimh batteries at Harbor Freight when they are on sale.

Bobby Ogauge,

   Thanks for the Harbor Freight tip, I did not know they carried the rechargeable batteries, they do have about the best prices on everything, and they are just over the hill from my place in Churchill.

Thanks for the info

PCRR/Dave

Just be sure to get the right charger for the batteries you buy, this was from a local news article just recently.  The batteries were for a remote control car.

 

A fire that destroyed a house Sunday was caused by a battery being charged by the wrong kind of charger, according to Kingston Fire and Rescue.

The investigation into the fire 2262 McIvor Rd. determined that the blaze originated in the basement of the home and quickly spread to the upper stories. Investigators determined that a lithium polymer battery had been connected to a Prophet Plus AC/DC Peak battery charger, which is designed to charge nickel-cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries. The polymer lithium battery is not compatible with this type of charger, the release from Kingston Fire and Rescue said, and may cause the batteries to explode creating a serious risk of fire and injury.

Damage to the house was set at $450,000, including building construction and contents replacement.

 

 

 I use the Eneloops that are listed as "New" type 2000 mAh (1900 mAh min)".  There are a lot of older versions out there on the market.  There are also Eneloop XX high capacity batteries, but I haven't tried them yet (don't feel the need for the extra $$$).

Andy - what's the difference between 750 mAh, 900 mAh, 1900 mAh and 2400 mAh batteries?? (I noticed the Eneloop batteries vary in these designations).  

Harleyito;

Those are the capacity of the battery when fully charged.

Higher numbers means longer use between charges, but the price goes up.

How long any of them last is based on the consumption of the item they are in.

Perhaps some of the users can post mAH VS time used between charges in our remotes.

Pick your balance point between duration between charges and cost.

I also fly Remote control Aircraft and Heli's. The planes get a small pack, the Helis have powerful digital servos and need a massive battery capacity.

With the Eneloops, the 750 mAh and 900 mAh batteries are older production or first generation batteries, while the 1900 mAh and 2400 mAh batteries are the current production or second generation batteries.

 

Andy

Thanx, Russ and Andy - good information to know before purchase!

Andy - shopped around all day today for the 1900 mAh envelop batteries (AAA) - I tried E Bay and Amazom and couldn't find them.  They had AA but no AAA - is there a website that you know of that has them????

I don't think that the AAA Eneloops get up to 1900 mAh - checked mine and they are 800 mAh (750 mAh minimum) models.  Above, I was strictly talking about the AA's.  Only the second-generation AA's get to 1900 mAh.  Amazon has the second-generation AAA's.  The second-generation type Eneloops will list a 1500 cycle life.

 

Andy

Thanx, Andy -