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NiMH cells are expensive compared to alkaline cells. A quick check on Amazon shows that, when buying a decent amount of AA cells at a time, alkalines go for abo
by BorgHunter 11y ago
NiMH cells are expensive compared to alkaline cells. A quick check on Amazon shows that, when buying a decent amount of AA cells at a time, alkalines go for about $0.28 each compared to $1.67 each for NiMH cells.[0][1] Add in a charger (and consider that most cheaper chargers are really crappy--look for NLee the Engineer's reviews[2]) and many don't consider the benefits to outweigh the initial capital costs. (Also, alkalines tend to operate at 1.5 V for a good portion of the voltage curve whereas NiMH cells are usually around 1.3 V. This can cause problems in some devices, although less so today than, say, ten years ago.)
I absolutely agree that NiMH cells are superior in almost every way, but it's not irrational to prefer disposable batteries.
[0] http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Performance-Alkaline-Batteries-48-Pack/dp/B00MNV8E0C http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Performance-Alkaline-Batt...
[1] http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-AA-Rechargeable-Batteries-16-Pack/dp/B007B9NV8Q http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-AA-Rechargeable-Batteries...
[2] e.g. http://www.amazon.com/review/RMWO7UZ9TAVRF/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm http://www.amazon.com/review/RMWO7UZ9TAVRF/ref=cm_cr_rdp_per...
- pknight 11y agoYep, voltage on the eneloops by comparison is 1.2V. Lots of battery operated toys work better with 1.5V batteries. There are rechargeable alkalines that provide 1.5V but they are very unreliable and the rest of the rechargeable AA market is lower voltage. So batteriser would be pretty neat if it works as advertised.
- ska 11y agoYou really wouldn't want to use this approach with rechargeables, as they degrade pretty quickly if discharged too far (which is what this would do)