Rechargeable AA batteries

Gary from Muleshoe · May 6, 2017

I have a camera that uses four AA batteries. My question, what brand of rechargeable AA batteries are the best? I have Energizers now and they seem to run down very quickly in use or just setting on the shelf. So I am looking for something better.

RayP(MI) · May 6, 2017

Probably should remove batteries whenever not in use. Some cameras will put a drain on batteries even when not in use. I have one camera that will reject almost new batteries that still test good on battery tester meter.
Rechargable batteries may not be a good choice for your camera.

Geo-TH,In · May 6, 2017

You just described the truth about rechargeable 1.5v AA batteries.
They will self discharge. Nature of the beast.

If you measure the voltage of rechargeable AA it's less than 1.5v, so you think they don't last long.

wfw · May 6, 2017

Nicad batteries will run about 1.2 volts at full charge. I use energizer lithium batteries in my camera. a bit pricey but they last way longer then any other. also when not in use I either take them out of the camera or turn one over in the battery compartment so there is no current draw.
Frank

JDEM · May 6, 2017

I have around 50 of them of different capacity and brands. I gave up using them in cameras. I am talking NiMH. Voltage is too low and self-discharge rate is high with all of them. After using them for years I switched to throw-away batteries and am much happier with the results. If a camera uses four batteries - the "throw-aways" give 6 volts. The recharegables are only 4.8 volts. Also they go dead fast when not in use. So if you charge up a bunch to use later - they will be half-dead when it comes time to use them. They come in difference capacities too - just like car batteries. Some AAs are only 1800 mAh and the better ones are 2500 mAh.

Hobo,NC · May 6, 2017

(quoted from post at 17:27:14 05/06/17) I have a camera that uses four AA batteries. My question, what brand of rechargeable AA batteries are the best? I have Energizers now and they seem to run down very quickly in use or just setting on the shelf. So I am looking for something better.

If you are gonna use those battery's this is my fix. I did not want to pay 60 bucks for one either. It will pay for itself if you use a lot of rechargeable battery's.

http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/bc1000

Eneloop battery's are better than those you are using but not by much. I was having problems with a Energizer charger charging battery's. A La crosse charger will charge them were other chargers want.

kcm.MN · May 6, 2017

I would go with Eneloops first, with EBL being 2nd. A lot of people don't like EBL batteries, but I have had VERY good luck with them.

Regardless of which brand, it's best if you don't use a rapid charger. Sometimes the slower chargers may not top off another brand of battery all the way, in which case there's no problem with running a slow charged battery through a rapid charger, as all you're doing is topping it off - no real heat build-up there.

Ken Macfarlane · May 6, 2017

If it's an old camera that eats batteries it's probably cheapest to buy a new one with lithium or more efficient model and use with alkalines.

omahagreg · May 6, 2017

I used to have cameras the took AA batteries-now I have Canons that use a proprietary battery. I tried the rechargeables and was thoroughly disappointed! Could not get any decent life out of them. I too went with the NON rechargeable lithium ion Energizers and was very impressed with the life I got out of them.

DoubleR · May 6, 2017

I use them in my headset and the mag lite I carry everywhere I go. I get two or three years out of any brand name rechargeable batts. I've tried. Don't waste your time on the Harbor Frt. rechargeable batts though. They swell up after a while and don't fit properly.

pete 23 · May 6, 2017

The whole issue is that rechargeable AA batteries are lower voltage and your camera sees that low voltage as already near too low to operate. I used them all the time in my trail cameras BUT changed them often. Now I use external wet batteries while leaving the AA's in camera. Run forever.

Case Nutty 1660 · May 6, 2017

years ago when I got my first digital it ATE batteries so I bought a couple sets of rechargeable's from Energizer, they would out last any non recharge batts I bought two to one, still have them but have not needed them since I went to cameras that have their own recharge ones, the one I use now a Cannon SX610HT will take 300-500 pics on a charge depending on how many vids I take then,
cnt

Will Herring · May 6, 2017

I have had really good luck with Eneloops. I keep about 8 on hand and one 4 station charger, works great.

Mike(NEOhio) · May 6, 2017

I don't use my camera a lot but I'm satisfied with the Eveready NiMH. Camera has a setting for battery type which is I suppose to compensate for the voltage difference. It was cheaper to buy the four batteries and charger as a set than just replacing the batteries. Alkalines just don't cut it. They can't deliver enough amps.

ss55 · May 6, 2017

AmazonBasics, Eneloop, Duracell and Duracell Pre-Charged have all held up well for me. The capacity should be marked on the side of the battery in mAHr: 1500, 2000, 2450, etc. A good charger designed for NiMH batteries is a must.

mj · May 6, 2017

(quoted from post at 05:27:14 05/06/17) I have a camera that uses four AA batteries. My question, what brand of rechargeable AA batteries are the best? I have Energizers now and they seem to run down very quickly in use or just setting on the shelf. So I am looking for something better.

heck this out>>>>>>>>>http://www.batterysharks.com

HenryO · May 6, 2017

I tried every kind of rechargeable AA batteries and gave ubp. They didn't last long enough to pay for them. They will fail to charge or just fail when you need them most Gave up and now buy the long lasting ones that are costly but las a long time. No more problems

Texasmark1 · May 6, 2017

I bought them for model airplane transmitter/receiver hand sets. Problem I have is the Ni-MH full charge is something like 1.2v, not 1.5+ like regular Alkaline batteries, and right off you get a low battery warning on the camera and the TV remote control to name a couple. Other thing is that they are rated for high current applications which aren't necessary unless you are running a flash bulb in a camera or RT unit.....but the camera low battery warning screws that up. So, other than for the intended purpose a waste of money for me. They do hold a charge for a log time in storage.

Bob M · May 6, 2017

I've had excellent luck with Energizer 2,300 ma-hr AA's in my wife's camera; also in a couple Mitros professional flash units.

Routinely get 200 - 300 shots per charge in every device. When not in use batteries easily hold a charge for a month or longer. And fresh batteries last at least 2 years before they begin losing capacity.

Zachary Hoyt · May 6, 2017

I use Eneloop AAs in cameras, my headlamp, Worktunes earmuffs and a couple of handheld flashlights. They will hold a charge for months, and last a long time for me before having to be recharged. I got one of their little chargers that hangs on the outlet and it has also worked very well for me. I've got 2 pairs that I have been cycling through my earmuffs for years and they are still working, I use the earmuffs anywhere from 2-8 hours a day and a charge will usually last a week or two.
Zach

buickanddeere · May 6, 2017

Lithium rechargeables have the greatest amount of storage capacity and the longest service life of any batteries I have used in portable radio.

Goose · May 6, 2017

When I was on the road doing insurance inspections, I routinely took over 100 photos per day. I had the best luck with Duracell rechargables. That was in a Samsung digital camera. Just a basic that did the job, no fancy stuff.

JDEM · May 6, 2017

Cutting through the generalities, it goes like this. Ni-cads have a 20% self-discharge-rate per month. Standard NiMH's even worse at 30% per month. There is a special chemistry "low discharge" NiMH that only has a 2-3% discharge-rate per month (like a car battery). Low-discharge NiMH batteries are sold under various brand names. The "Eneloop" mentioned is the Sanyo brand.

guido · May 6, 2017

Hello Gary from Muleshoe,

Some camera manuals will state : Do not use rechargeable batteries. If you want to try then anyway I recommend NiMh. You can by a charger with 4 AA ant two aaa like the one in the picture. I have a few. Mine are old and only 2000 mah some are only 1850 mah. You can get the 2600 Mah now. Most of mine are more then 10 years old. They charge up to 1.4 volts and are discharged at 1.2 to 1.25 volts.

Guido.

Rechargeable AA batteries

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads