jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
Since we already have one "should we ban it thread" I figured it's time for another. Now our society makes a whole bunch of other, disposable junk I suppose I could pick on, such as one-use cameras, one-serving prepackaged meals, flashlights with no replaceable battery, etc. However, the one thing which has annoyed my for a long time are the racks of throw-away alkaline batteries at every store. 20 or even 10 years ago the rechargeable options admittedly were not that great, so only a few diehards like myself used them. However, today's rechargeables have conquered all the prior issues. Let's have a look at the common complaints people had against rechargeable, and how they no longer apply:
1) Rechargeables take too long to recharge. Well, it's always a good idea to have a charged set ready, but many won't do that. In response to this most chargers can charge a set of cells in two hours or less. Indeed, modern NiMH must be charged rapidly to properly detect the end of charge voltage depression. There even exist 15 minute chargers for those in a real hurry.
2) Rechargeables have a lower voltage (1.2V instead of 1.5V). This has always been a myth, but it is one which has kept many from even trying rechargeables. For whatever reason, the makers of Nicads and NiMH choose to label their cells with the average voltage during discharge, rather that the voltage hot off the charger, which is actually around 1.45 to 1.50 volts. Alkalines start out at 1.5V (actually 1.58V). They're considered fully discharged at 0.9V. Average voltage is 1.2V, same as rechargeables. Myth busted.
3) Rechargeables can explode, or are otherwise dangerous. No more so than alkalines. Lithium-ion can explode, but direct replacement AAAs, AAs, Cs, and Ds are always NiMH or Nicad. At worst they'll vent if overcharged. I've regularly had alkalines leak inside devices, but never rechargeables.
4) Rechargeables suffer from lower capacity. Now this was admittedly true years ago. It's no longer true. Under very moderate drains like a wall clock an alkaline may still hold a slight edge. In a flashlight or digicam or any other heavy load rechargeables win hands down. A AA alkaline which might be 2800 mAh at 1 milliamp will give less than half that at a moderate drain of 0.5A. A decent NiMH will give 2000 to 2500 mAh at the same current. The difference is even greater when you get past one amp. Alkalines just don't handle heavy drains gracefully.
5) Rechargeables self-discharge if not used. This was also admittedly a problem, but most devices which benefit from rechargeables will be used often enough to drain the batteries long before they self-discharge. The new Eneloops, and similar low-self discharge NiMH from other manufacturers, have solved even this problem. These cells have 85% of their initial charge after one year, 75% after two years. They can even be used in wall clocks.
6) Rechargeables are too expensive. While getting started admittedly requires an outlay of perhaps $25 to $50 for a decent charger and a few sets of cells, in the long run the economy of rechargeables can't be beat. That initial outlay will replace at least several hundred packs of alkalines. Besides the money saved on batteries, you'll also avoid spending gas buying batteries in an emergency.
The only problem is the general public is ignorant of many of the facts above. I think it's high time for a government education campaign, coupled with a ban on sales of disposables. Ever since the Eneloops came out, I just can't think of a valid reason to use disposable batteries any more. Even prior to that, self-discharge was the only real issue.
1) Rechargeables take too long to recharge. Well, it's always a good idea to have a charged set ready, but many won't do that. In response to this most chargers can charge a set of cells in two hours or less. Indeed, modern NiMH must be charged rapidly to properly detect the end of charge voltage depression. There even exist 15 minute chargers for those in a real hurry.
2) Rechargeables have a lower voltage (1.2V instead of 1.5V). This has always been a myth, but it is one which has kept many from even trying rechargeables. For whatever reason, the makers of Nicads and NiMH choose to label their cells with the average voltage during discharge, rather that the voltage hot off the charger, which is actually around 1.45 to 1.50 volts. Alkalines start out at 1.5V (actually 1.58V). They're considered fully discharged at 0.9V. Average voltage is 1.2V, same as rechargeables. Myth busted.
3) Rechargeables can explode, or are otherwise dangerous. No more so than alkalines. Lithium-ion can explode, but direct replacement AAAs, AAs, Cs, and Ds are always NiMH or Nicad. At worst they'll vent if overcharged. I've regularly had alkalines leak inside devices, but never rechargeables.
4) Rechargeables suffer from lower capacity. Now this was admittedly true years ago. It's no longer true. Under very moderate drains like a wall clock an alkaline may still hold a slight edge. In a flashlight or digicam or any other heavy load rechargeables win hands down. A AA alkaline which might be 2800 mAh at 1 milliamp will give less than half that at a moderate drain of 0.5A. A decent NiMH will give 2000 to 2500 mAh at the same current. The difference is even greater when you get past one amp. Alkalines just don't handle heavy drains gracefully.
5) Rechargeables self-discharge if not used. This was also admittedly a problem, but most devices which benefit from rechargeables will be used often enough to drain the batteries long before they self-discharge. The new Eneloops, and similar low-self discharge NiMH from other manufacturers, have solved even this problem. These cells have 85% of their initial charge after one year, 75% after two years. They can even be used in wall clocks.
6) Rechargeables are too expensive. While getting started admittedly requires an outlay of perhaps $25 to $50 for a decent charger and a few sets of cells, in the long run the economy of rechargeables can't be beat. That initial outlay will replace at least several hundred packs of alkalines. Besides the money saved on batteries, you'll also avoid spending gas buying batteries in an emergency.
The only problem is the general public is ignorant of many of the facts above. I think it's high time for a government education campaign, coupled with a ban on sales of disposables. Ever since the Eneloops came out, I just can't think of a valid reason to use disposable batteries any more. Even prior to that, self-discharge was the only real issue.
