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In which devices can we effectively use AA and AAA 1.2V batteries?
Before reading the following post, we recommend reading other supplementary articles:
"What are the differences between a 1.2V Ni-MH battery and a 1.5V alkaline battery?"
"Batteries or rechargeable batteries - the choice depends on the device!”
"Why don't fresh Ni-MH batteries work in my device or work much worse than disposable batteries?"
As you already know, 1.2V Ni-MH rechargeable batteries offer electrical parameters similar enough to alkaline (and other disposable) 1.5V batteries that they can successfully replace them in various everyday devices. A disposable battery has a higher starting voltage - approx. 1.5V compared to 1.35V characteristic of a Ni-MH battery. However, it is the Ni-MH battery that in many devices will achieve a higher, average operating voltage, allowing for longer or more effective operation.
This is because the new 1.2V Ni-MH rechargeable battery has up to nearly 5 times lower internal resistance than a typical 1.5V alkaline battery and wastes much less energy in the form of heat when working with demanding devices.
The characteristics of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries make them particularly suitable for devices that have a high energy demand in a short time. Ideally, the periods between successive top-ups should not exceed a few months.
1. Flashes, cameras
This is the main application that has driven the development of Ni-MH technology in the past. Flashes or cameras (once traditional, analogue, later digital) powered by AA cells almost always work much more efficiently on Ni-MH batteries. In the case of intensive use, good quality batteries allow you to take many times more photos / flashes, in addition to shorter intervals between flash recharges. This is a perfect example of devices where Ni-MH rechargeable batteries win in every field. A professional photographer values above all the operating time, the number of flashes and the quick readiness of the equipment for the next shots - for such applications, stable batteries with the highest possible capacity will be best - such as the black Eneloop or the white everActive Professional Line.
However, such batteries have a significantly lower lifespan (they will withstand fewer charging cycles) compared to their cheaper and less capacious counterparts - white Eneloop or silver everActive.
2. LED Flashlights, Traditional Flashlights, Decorative LED Lights, LED Candles
Despite the lower starting voltage than disposable batteries, good quality Ni-MH batteries used in a powerful several-watt flashlight will achieve a higher average operating voltage. The effect will be that the flashlight will shine a bright, stable beam for longer. In some flashlights, Ni-MH batteries may last slightly shorter, but repeatability, reliability of operation and, above all, a higher, average output flux (higher brightness) speak definitely in favor of rechargeable batteries.
Decorative LED lights, on the other hand, are characterized by low energy consumption. However, because they often work continuously, they still require the replacement of a typical battery even every few days. As in the previous described application, the choice of rechargeable batteries depends primarily on whether we care about the operating time (then we choose a higher capacity) or the total durability of the batteries (this will be the domain of cells with a lower capacity).
3. Camera traps
From the point of view of energy requirements, they are nothing more than extensive, automated digital cameras. As we described in point 1, Ni-MH batteries in wildlife cameras will work much more predictably and effectively than disposable batteries, and in addition they will allow for large savings - large amounts of batteries are installed in wildlife cameras at one time - up to 8 pcs. and more depending on the model. In addition, they require quite regular battery replacement, which in the case of rechargeable batteries is limited only to recharging them. Trail cameras are currently a very popular application for Ni-MH batteries. In addition to the capacity of the batteries, high stability of operation at low temperatures and a low self-discharge rate are very important here. From our experience, we know that moderate capacity batteries such as the white Eneloop and everActive Silver Line batteries work very well in this application.
Let us remind you after one of our previous articles that in order to minimize the risk of deep discharge of individual batteries in packs installed in packs of 4, 5 and more, it is important that we use batteries that are as equal as possible, from the same batch, with the same capacity.
If you have bought new batteries that have not been used yet - recharge them, even if they are new generation pre-charged batteries with a low self-discharge rate. This will give us confidence that at the time of installation in the device, all batteries will be as equal as possible, with exactly the same degree of charge.
4. Toys, remote-controlled cars, portable music and stage equipment, radios, walkie-talkies
Ni-MH rechargeable batteries in almost every toy will work more efficiently, longer, better than disposable batteries.
Again, the advantage will be a stable, relatively high voltage during operation. Often rechargeable batteries that have been freshly charged, which do not lie unused in the toy for months, work best in such devices. Once we decide on rechargeable batteries - try to use and recharge them regularly.
Typical effects on rechargeable batteries are:
- faster remote-controlled cars,
- reliable operation of microphones, always operating for a specified fixed time,
- walkie-talkies, which do not waste disposable batteries if we forget to turn them off,
Here it is worth mentioning the possible disadvantage of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries - Ni-MH rechargeable batteries can be up to 40% heavier than alkaline batteries - the heavier the higher their capacity. When choosing a power supply for your model - especially a floating one, you should keep this in mind. Increased weight, shifted center of gravity can cause problems.
5. Small household appliances, pepper grinders, salt grinders, automatic feeders, soap dispensers, disinfectant liquid dispensers, mini coffee frothers, mini mixers, toothbrushes, pet feeders, automatically opening waste baskets, etc.
This is a very wide group of devices, having one common denominator - a motor that moves a specific mechanism. These are devices with relatively high power consumption, where rechargeable batteries will almost always work more efficiently. Such devices do not work continuously, so they do not use disposable batteries within one or two months, but due to the fact that we often install 3.4 or even more cells in them at a time, the use of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries is justified. For such applications, it is better to choose more durable rechargeable batteries with moderate capacity - about 800 mAh for the AAA R03 size, or 1900 mAh for AA R6.
6. Other - e.g. rodent repellents, Air Soft Gun equipment - ASG
This group includes many, previously unnamed devices that contain various types of motors, generators, actuators, etc. Usually, in such devices, we have to change ordinary, disposable batteries very regularly in the backwoods of max. several-week-long periods. As in point 5, these devices work with higher power and often much longer on Ni-MH batteries.
7. Measuring equipment, meters, multimeters (meters) electronic, detectors, metal detectors, thermal cameras, etc.
This is a group of devices that in many cases (perhaps excluding thermal imaging cameras) have low energy requirements. Alkaline batteries in such conditions last much longer than Ni-MH batteries. However, in professional applications, Ni-MH rechargeable batteries maintain very high reliability and repeatability of parameters, and at the same time do not cause frustration for the user who accidentally turns on or forgets to turn off their device, which in the case of a disposable battery is synonymous with its wear and tear, and sometimes even spillage and destruction of the device.
8. Keyboards, game controllers, pads, computer mice
As we described in point 7, these are devices with relatively low energy demand. Alkaline batteries usually last longer than Ni-MH batteries, but the intensity of their use results in the need to replace the battery in cycles not exceeding 1-2 months. Ni-MH rechargeable batteries provide a quick return on investment and significant savings.
9. Medical equipment, pressure holters, insulin pumps, blood pressure monitors, etc.
This is not an unambiguous and obvious category, because as you know from our post "Why do fresh Ni-MH rechargeable batteries not work in my device or work much worse than disposable batteries?" they fit into this group of devices that sometimes do not work optimally on 1.2V Ni-MH batteries.
However, there are situations where we use a given device continuously and even good 1.5V alkaline batteries last only a few days, or at most a few weeks.
In such conditions, it is worth giving a chance to rechargeable batteries, which, even if they are not optimally used and last shorter, will allow for large savings - in such conditions, one durable Ni-MH battery can easily replace several hundred disposable batteries. For such applications, we are looking for rechargeable batteries that are as durable as possible, not necessarily with the highest capacity.
See rechargeable batteries in the hurt.com.pl store:
4x everActive R6/AA Ni-MH 2000 mAh ready to use "Silver line"
4x everActive R6/AA Ni-MH 2600 mAh ready to use "Professional line"
4 x Panasonic Eneloop Ni-MH 2000mAh BK-3MCDE/4BE rechargeable batteries (blister)
New - improved MCDE series
Higher capacity min. 2000 mAh
New eco-friendly packaging for storing rechargeable batteries
- up to 2100 charging cycles
- retains 70% of energy after 10 years after charging!
- works at low temperatures down to -20°C. C!
- charged in the production process with solar energy
Made in Japan
4 x Panasonic Eneloop PRO NEW Ni-MH 2500mAh batteries R6 / AA BK-3HCDE/4BE (blister)
New improved HCDE series
New eco-friendly packaging for storing rechargeable batteries
- the highest capacity among the new generation of 2500 mAh rechargeable batteries
- retains 85% of energy after 12 months after charging!
- works at low temperatures down to -20°C. C!
- charged in the production process with solar energy
Made in Japan
Author: Michał Seredziński
Copying the content of the article or its part without the consent of a representative of Baltrade sp. z o.o. is prohibited.
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A do pompy insulinowej? Jaką polecacie?
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Temat pomp insulinowych poruszony został w pkt. 9. Często baterie alkaliczne działają w takich urządzeniach dłużej - jednak mogą wymagać częstej wymiany, co może generować duże koszty. Zastosowanie akumulatorków Ni-MH może być w takich wypadkach dobrym pomysłem, nawet jeżeli czas działania na jednym ładowaniu będzie wyraźnie krótszy - z uwagi na niższe napięcie początkowe akumulatorki Ni-MH mogą przedwcześnie odmówić pracy jeszcze zanim zostaną faktycznie rozładowane. W takich wypadkach najlepiej zadziałają akumulatorki o niekoniecznie najwyższych pojemnościach - np. 1900-2000 mAh dla rozmiaru AA / R6, które wolniej samoczynnie "wytracają" napięcie.
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Witam.
Bardzo ciekawy artykuł.
Brakuje mi tylko jednoznacznej informacji, które akumulatorki będą lepsze do kategorii 4, np. samochodu zdalnie sterowanego. Czy np. enelopy czarne czy wystarczą do tego typu pojazdów białe.-
Jeżeli model będzie intensywnie wykorzystywany to czarne Eneloopy zapewnią więcej minut zabawy i tym samym mogą być lepszym wyborem.
Jednak jeżeli chodzi o samą wydajność akumulatorków to białe Eneloopy również w zupełności wystarczą - i jeżeli autko czeka czasami tygodniami na kolejne użycie, to właśnie białe Eneloopy będą lepszym wyborem - dużo wolniej się starzeją w czasie, wytrzymują więcej cykli pełnego ładowania i wolniej wytracają napięcie będąc nieużywane.
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