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The common rechargeable battery chemistries are 1.2 V (NiCd, NiMH), but a normal alkaline battery is 1.5 V. It usually works OK because the alkalines drop volta

The common rechargeable battery chemistries are 1.2 V (NiCd, NiMH), but a normal alkaline battery is 1.5 V. It usually works OK because the alkalines drop voltage quickly and devices are designed to operate in a lower range. If you can fit it in somehow, it something makes sense to add an extra battery. E.g. 5 rechargeables has the same voltage as 4 alkalines (6V).

edrxty 3y ago
Yeah the ideal replacement would be a 14500 or 18650 but they run at 3.7v so they would break a lot of electronics meant for alkalines. There are also CR123A batteries which are lithium primary cells and are much better for low temp applications or for long storage times. They also have a matching 16340 rechargable type which has a similar voltage. The problem is, the average consumer is too dumb to be able to understand the difference, even the enthusiast flashlight/dive light/firearm light people have some holdouts who insist everything should just be alkalyne because they don't understand any of this.
- mrguyorama 3y ago
  They make AA size batteries that have a lithium battery inside along with built in voltage dropping, protection, and charge circuitry. They are cheap.
  - edrxty 3y ago
    Those are rough because the buck regulator is ~80-90% efficient and takes up space that would otherwise be battery. Any advantage they have over the NiMH cells is marginal at best, but they at least theoretically have a better discharge curve for stuff that's very voltage sensitive.
nuancebydefault 3y ago
A very big problem with nicd is that if you charge them now and use them after weeks, a very big chunk of the charge has been lost.
- op00to 3y ago
  The rate of loss of charge while sitting is related to the total capacity of the NiMH battery. More capacity, faster self-discharge. Lower capacity, lower self-discharge. The 2400 mAh Eneloops lose about 15% a year, compared to 1% a day for the high capacity EBLs you'll find on Amazon.

edrxty 3y ago

Yeah the ideal replacement would be a 14500 or 18650 but they run at 3.7v so they would break a lot of electronics meant for alkalines. There are also CR123A batteries which are lithium primary cells and are much better for low temp applications or for long storage times. They also have a matching 16340 rechargable type which has a similar voltage. The problem is, the average consumer is too dumb to be able to understand the difference, even the enthusiast flashlight/dive light/firearm light people have some holdouts who insist everything should just be alkalyne because they don't understand any of this.

mrguyorama 3y ago
They make AA size batteries that have a lithium battery inside along with built in voltage dropping, protection, and charge circuitry. They are cheap.
- edrxty 3y ago
  Those are rough because the buck regulator is ~80-90% efficient and takes up space that would otherwise be battery. Any advantage they have over the NiMH cells is marginal at best, but they at least theoretically have a better discharge curve for stuff that's very voltage sensitive.

nuancebydefault 3y ago

A very big problem with nicd is that if you charge them now and use them after weeks, a very big chunk of the charge has been lost.

op00to 3y ago
The rate of loss of charge while sitting is related to the total capacity of the NiMH battery. More capacity, faster self-discharge. Lower capacity, lower self-discharge. The 2400 mAh Eneloops lose about 15% a year, compared to 1% a day for the high capacity EBLs you'll find on Amazon.