My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no tomorrow.
Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for
£10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh at
£5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump in proportional
price for another 150 mAh ? )
In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra
advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable
batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. Thanks.
On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100
"john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
> tomorrow.
>
> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four
> for £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA
> 850 mAh at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump
> in proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>
> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any
> extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of
> Argos?
>
> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>
Hybrids are only really useful in devices that have a very low power
requirement or aren't used for long periods, as they retain charge
better than conventional NiMH. ISTR Lidl was pretty cheap for no-name
NiMH last time I looked.
<nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:20100614160113.2c9f67c9@bluemoon...
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100
> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>> tomorrow.
>>
>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four
>> for £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA
>> 850 mAh at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump
>> in proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>
>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any
>> extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of
>> Argos?
>>
>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>>
> Hybrids are only really useful in devices that have a very low power
> requirement or aren't used for long periods, as they retain charge
> better than conventional NiMH. ISTR Lidl was pretty cheap for no-name
> NiMH last time I looked.
Or even better, 7dayshop.com are usually the cheapest. I buy their own
brand AAs and AAAs for around £4 for a pack of 4. Watch out for retailers
selling lower capacity rechargeables.
"Mr. Benn" <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:hv5i1u$430$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> <nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:20100614160113.2c9f67c9@bluemoon...
>> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100
>> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>>> tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four
>>> for £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA
>>> 850 mAh at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump
>>> in proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>>
>>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any
>>> extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of
>>> Argos?
>>>
>>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>>>
>> Hybrids are only really useful in devices that have a very low power
>> requirement or aren't used for long periods, as they retain charge
>> better than conventional NiMH. ISTR Lidl was pretty cheap for no-name
>> NiMH last time I looked.
>
> Or even better, 7dayshop.com are usually the cheapest. I buy their own
> brand AAs and AAAs for around £4 for a pack of 4. Watch out for retailers
> selling lower capacity rechargeables.
I am delighted with my Sanyo eneloop batteries - I also have some 7 Day Shop
versions - as yet untried. Ideal for camera where it may go unused for
periods of time.
"CD" <no@way.ok> wrote in message
news:m7uc16hj7nvmodlba21duidjf9i6ekoru2@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100, "john hamiliton"
> <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>
>>Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable
>>batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. Thanks.
>
> Both Lidl & Aldi do them for around £2.79 for 4, I think Lidl also
> have a charger bundle currently too. I have loads of them powering
> various kids toys & the dect phones with no problems. Just buy 2 sets
> for continued listening.
The thing I would strongly recommend is to get one of the slightly more
expensive chargers which senses and recharges individual cells. I get much
better life out of sets of (AA) batteries since I changed over to one of
them.
"john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message
news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
> tomorrow.
>
> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for
> £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh
> at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump in
> proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>
> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra
> advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
>
> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable
> batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. Thanks.
Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide a
slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in voltage
that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that a 850mAh
hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary one, at least
that's what I've found with my digital camera.
As for where to buy them; Amazon has good prices (4x AAA uniross hybrio for
<£4 and free P&P )
"CD" <no@way.ok> wrote in message
news:m7uc16hj7nvmodlba21duidjf9i6ekoru2@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100, "john hamiliton"
> <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>>Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these rechargable
>>batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. Thanks.
>
> Both Lidl & Aldi do them for around £2.79 for 4, I think Lidl also
> have a charger bundle currently too. I have loads of them powering
> various kids toys & the dect phones with no problems. Just buy 2 sets
> for continued listening.
>
>
For the money Lidl's Tronic brand NiMh cells are great, only problem
is it's anyone's guess when they are in stock.
My local lidl's have been out of stock of them for the last 6 months
> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no tomorrow.
>
> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for
> £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh at
> £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump in proportional
> price for another 150 mAh ? )
>
I don't know whether the Sanyo Eneloop batteries are the same as all
other hybrid batteries, but I find them so much better than standard
NiMH batteries; though as you have pointed out, the rated capacities are
similar. The USP is that they hold their charge, but in my experience
they seem to be better at holding their full charge even after months of
charge/discharges. These cost about 7 pounds for four AAAs from amazon,
but IMO well worth the price premium.
"wrightsaerials@aol.com" <wrightsaerials@f2s.com> wrote in message
news:56cb13ef-b22a-44ad-ba3d-615c3a7a22c6@c33g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
> Does anyone know what the technology of hybrid batteries is? I don't
> mean what they do, I mean the chemistry or whatever.
Same chemistry AFAIK (and therefore exactly the same voltage).
Just different construction.
--
Brian Gregory. (In the UK) ng@bgdsv.co.uk
To email me remove the letter vee.
"Mark Ingle" <markinglenospam@nospamfastmail.fm> wrote in message
news:1jk3pht.1tfgclbdrsobiN%markinglenospam@nospam fastmail.fm...
> john hamiliton <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>> tomorrow.
>>
>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for
>> £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh
>> at
>> £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump in
>> proportional
>> price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>
> I don't know whether the Sanyo Eneloop batteries are the same as all
> other hybrid batteries, but I find them so much better than standard
> NiMH batteries; though as you have pointed out, the rated capacities are
> similar. The USP is that they hold their charge, but in my experience
> they seem to be better at holding their full charge even after months of
> charge/discharges. These cost about 7 pounds for four AAAs from amazon,
> but IMO well worth the price premium.
I get the impression that the Vapex Instants I use (another make of LSD
Ni-MH) are more robust than many ordinary high capacity Ni-MH.
--
Brian Gregory. (In the UK) ng@bgdsv.co.uk
To email me remove the letter vee.
"newshound" <newshound@fairadsl.co.uk> wrote in message
news:87ndrjFpakU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> "CD" <no@way.ok> wrote in message
> news:m7uc16hj7nvmodlba21duidjf9i6ekoru2@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:50:35 +0100, "john hamiliton"
>> <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>>>rechargable
>>>batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from. Thanks.
>>
>> Both Lidl & Aldi do them for around £2.79 for 4, I think Lidl also
>> have a charger bundle currently too. I have loads of them powering
>> various kids toys & the dect phones with no problems. Just buy 2 sets
>> for continued listening.
>
> The thing I would strongly recommend is to get one of the slightly more
> expensive chargers which senses and recharges individual cells. I get much
> better life out of sets of (AA) batteries since I changed over to one of
> them.
That's what I was about to suggest. These chargers prevent over- and
under-charging by sensing the voltage of each cell while they are being
charged.
"OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message
news:87nh55FeasU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message
> news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>> tomorrow.
>>
>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four for
>> £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA 850 mAh
>> at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump in
>> proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>
>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra
>> advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
>>
>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>> Thanks.
>
> Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide a
> slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in
> voltage that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that a
> 850mAh hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary one, at
> least that's what I've found with my digital camera.
Hybrids have slightly less capacity than regular NiMH batteries but lower
self-discharge rate and hence longer shelf life. For a DAB radio that's not
used infrequently, I'd be inclined to use regular cells.
In message <hv7fjk$cgl$1@news.eternal-september.org>, Mr. Benn
<invalid@invalid.invalid> writes
>"OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message
>news:87nh55FeasU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message
>>news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>>>tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at
>>>four for £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary
>>>rechargable' AAA 850 mAh at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99,
>>>which seems a big jump in proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>>
>>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any
>>>extra advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of
>>>Argos?
>>>
>>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>>>rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>>>Thanks.
>>
>> Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide
>>a slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in
>>voltage that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that
>>a 850mAh hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary
>>one, at least that's what I've found with my digital camera.
>
>Hybrids have slightly less capacity than regular NiMH batteries but
>lower self-discharge rate and hence longer shelf life. For a DAB radio
>that's not used infrequently, I'd be inclined to use regular cells.
Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get
from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried
it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't
last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it
will keep going for some time on FM.
--
Ian
>
> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get from
> NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried it
> lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't last long
> on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it will keep going
> for some time on FM.
>
I have one that takes C size cells and it just doesn't work with
rechargable. I tried with some old nicads. It works if I put an extra
two into the circuit.
I have a couple of Roberts dab radios that have a switch to select battery
type. These seem OK.
"Mr. Benn" <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:hv7fjk$cgl$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> "OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message
> news:87nh55FeasU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "john hamiliton" <bluestarx@mail.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:hv5fke$oj4$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> My pocket sized DAB radio eats AAA size batteries like there is no
>>> tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Maplin are selling so called 'Hybrid' rechargable AAA 800 mAh at four
>>> for £10.99. Whilst Argos are selling four 'ordinary rechargable' AAA
>>> 850 mAh at £5.99 (and 1000 mAh AAA at £14.99, which seems a big jump in
>>> proportional price for another 150 mAh ? )
>>>
>>> In this DAB radio situation, would so called *Hybrids* be of any extra
>>> advantage, considering they are practically twice the price of Argos?
>>>
>>> Grateful for any advice on the latest state of play with these
>>> rechargable batteries, and any info on where best to buy them from.
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> Hybrids are better than ordinary NiMH batteries because they provide a
>> slightly higher voltage for longer. As it's usually the drop off in
>> voltage that triggers the 'low battery' warning you may well find that a
>> 850mAh hybrid will be significantly better than a 1000mAh ordinary one,
>> at least that's what I've found with my digital camera.
>
> Hybrids have slightly less capacity than regular NiMH batteries but lower
> self-discharge rate and hence longer shelf life.
Ahem; it is also a characteristic that the voltage is higher for longer
during discharge, so they trigger the 'low battery' warning later than
standard NiMH cells.
In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clif ford.ac>,
Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
>
>>
>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you
>>get from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've
>>not tried it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB
>>radio) doesn't last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or
>>two. After that, it will keep going for some time on FM.
>>
>
>I have one that takes C size cells and it just doesn't work with
>rechargable. I tried with some old nicads. It works if I put an extra
>two into the circuit.
>
>I have a couple of Roberts dab radios that have a switch to select
>battery type. These seem OK.
>
Noted. Thanks.
Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
--
Ian
"Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:QC5I6XJ0m9FMFwxW@g3ohx.demon.co.uk...
> In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clif ford.ac>,
> Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>>On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
<snip>
> Noted. Thanks.
> Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
> Ian
>
It depends on the battery case layout.
e.g. a series pair of AA can be substituted with 3 x 2/3rd AA
> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get
> from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried
> it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't
> last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it
> will keep going for some time on FM.
That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point
voltage for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of
their life below 1.2.
> Ian Jackson wrote:
>
>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you
>> get from NiMH
>
> That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point voltage
> for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of their
> life below 1.2.
My Pure Evoke3 can either take C-Cells or a rechargeable battery pack,
it worked OK on normal NiMH C-Cells but I kept forgetting to take them
out and recharge them, so I bought their special pack (which contains
NiMH C cells and a small PCB and connects to a dedicated charging socket
not the battery terminals) this worked ok, but their charging circuit
absolutely cooked the NiMHs they were hot all the time, and didn't last
long, reluctantly I bought their newer rechargeable battery pack, which
is a LiPo and seems to charge sensibly ...
In message <hv8r9l$ilc$1@news.eternal-september.org>, Steve Terry
<gfourwwk@tesco.net> writes
>"Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:QC5I6XJ0m9FMFwxW@g3ohx.demon.co.uk...
>> In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clif ford.ac>,
>> Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>>>On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
><snip>
>> Noted. Thanks.
>> Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
>> Ian
>>
>It depends on the battery case layout.
>e.g. a series pair of AA can be substituted with 3 x 2/3rd AA
>
>and C cells can be had in 2/3 3/5, etc. sizes
>
>http://www.powerstream.com/Size.htm
>
I know that 'shortened' battery sizes exist, but I've never used them
myself. As they are non-standard, they are not so readily-available, and
(although I haven't checked yet), guess that they are more expensive.
--
Ian
> "Ian Jackson" <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:QC5I6XJ0m9FMFwxW@g3ohx.demon.co.uk...
>> In message <alpine.OSX.1.10.1006151821001.6862@coprolith.clif ford.ac>,
>> Alan Clifford <sardines@purse-seine.net> writes
>>> On Tue, 15 Jun 2010, Ian Jackson wrote:
> <snip>
>> Noted. Thanks.
>> Of course, in most sets, you can't simply add a couple more batteries.
>> Ian
>>
> It depends on the battery case layout.
> e.g. a series pair of AA can be substituted with 3 x 2/3rd AA
>
> and C cells can be had in 2/3 3/5, etc. sizes
>
My solution was rather more heath-Robinson than that. Your information
about battery sizes stored away for future reference though.
We keep that radio plugged into the mains in the kitchen and pretend it
isn't a portable because it isn't really.
"Brian Gregory [UK]" <ng@bgdsv.co.uk> wrote in message news:dq2dnYwFaYzaU4vRnZ2dnUVZ8hqdnZ2d@pipex.net...
> "wrightsaerials@aol.com" <wrightsaerials@f2s.com> wrote in message
> news:56cb13ef-b22a-44ad-ba3d-615c3a7a22c6@c33g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
>> Does anyone know what the technology of hybrid batteries is? I don't
>> mean what they do, I mean the chemistry or whatever.
>
> Same chemistry AFAIK (and therefore exactly the same voltage).
> Just different construction.
Why "hybrid" then, usually means a mixture of techniques or technologies, much like this
random cross-post
"David Woolley" <david@ex.djwhome.demon.invalid> wrote in message
news:hv9r79$spf$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> Ian Jackson wrote:
>
>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get
>> from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried
>> it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't
>> last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it
>> will keep going for some time on FM.
>
> That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point voltage
> for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of their life
> below 1.2.
Indeed.
There is an appallingly large amount of equipment around doesn't get
anywhere near using all the available energy in the expensive batteries that
power it.
I've had particularly bad experiences with digital cameras.
--
Brian Gregory. (In the UK) ng@bgdsv.co.uk
To email me remove the letter vee.
"Andy Burns" <usenet.aug2009@adslpipe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:YL2dnXYBdLj75YXRnZ2dnUVZ8rCdnZ2d@brightview.c o.uk...
> David Woolley wrote:
>
>> Ian Jackson wrote:
>>
>>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you
>>> get from NiMH
>>
>> That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point voltage
>> for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of their
>> life below 1.2.
>
> My Pure Evoke3 can either take C-Cells or a rechargeable battery pack, it
> worked OK on normal NiMH C-Cells but I kept forgetting to take them out
> and recharge them, so I bought their special pack (which contains NiMH C
> cells and a small PCB and connects to a dedicated charging socket not the
> battery terminals) this worked ok, but their charging circuit absolutely
> cooked the NiMHs they were hot all the time, and didn't last long,
> reluctantly I bought their newer rechargeable battery pack, which is a
> LiPo and seems to charge sensibly ...
It's much easier to detect when a LiPo cell is fully charged.
And thank goodness it is because they tend to explode if you overcharge
them.
--
Brian Gregory. (In the UK) ng@bgdsv.co.uk
To email me remove the letter vee.
(17/06/10 15:35), Brian Gregory [UK]:
> "David Woolley"<david@ex.djwhome.demon.invalid> wrote in message
> news:hv9r79$spf$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> Ian Jackson wrote:
>>
>>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get
>>> from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried
>>> it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't
>>> last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it
>>> will keep going for some time on FM.
>>
>> That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point voltage
>> for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of their life
>> below 1.2.
>
> Indeed.
>
> There is an appallingly large amount of equipment around doesn't get
> anywhere near using all the available energy in the expensive batteries that
> power it.
>
> I've had particularly bad experiences with digital cameras.
>
Seconded. I have a Kodak digital camera that was particularly fussy
about rechargeable batteries.
It annoyed me so much I went to the lengths to hack the camera firmware
and tamper with the low voltage trigger points.
The camera runs on two AA batteries. The warning trigger point was set
at 2.78V, and the shutdown point was at 2.50. That means 1.25V per
battery. I mean, 1.25V!!!
And - by the way - since when is the voltage of a battery an indication
of the residual power in it?
I have lowered the thresholds to 2.5V and 2.2V three years ago, and is
running fine, even using the flash. Not a corrupted picture, NOTHING.
In fact, I have the proof the camera manufacturers purposely keep the
threshold high to sell you their specific (and hugely expensive) custom
battery packs. I got one to sample it, and the output voltage - fresh
out of the box - was 3.89V. Almost one volt over the standard.
All devices that are built to use rechargeable batteries, and declare
they accept rechargeable batteries in their literature, must be
engineered and built with a 1.2V per unit target.
A NiMH battery at 1.0V has a massive amount of energy left in it, so the
device MUST adapt and accept lower voltages to squeeze every ounce of
energy out of the battery.
In the light of the new "green this and that" I would vouch to declare
illegal any device that doesn't follow this sensible and proper guidelines.
If a device you buy doesn't use energy efficiently, get your money back
and let the company know you find their products and standards of
manufacturing not acceptable, that what I did with Kodak.
Although you might think "They're a giant, they don't care", I can tell
you THEY DO. A LOT. they're particularly twitchy in these days if you
hit the "green" button with customer relations.
--
Bodincus - The Y2K Druid
************************
Law 42 on computing:
Anything that could fail, will break at the worst possible mom%*= ?@@
# Access Violation - Core dumped
# Kernel Panic
"Graham." <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:hvdml9$t52$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
> "Brian Gregory [UK]" <ng@bgdsv.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:dq2dnYwFaYzaU4vRnZ2dnUVZ8hqdnZ2d@pipex.net...
>> "wrightsaerials@aol.com" <wrightsaerials@f2s.com> wrote in message
>> news:56cb13ef-b22a-44ad-ba3d-615c3a7a22c6@c33g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
>>> Does anyone know what the technology of hybrid batteries is? I don't
>>> mean what they do, I mean the chemistry or whatever.
>>
>> Same chemistry AFAIK (and therefore exactly the same voltage).
>> Just different construction.
>
> Why "hybrid" then, usually means a mixture of techniques or technologies,
> much like this
> random cross-post
>
> --
> Graham.
>
> %Profound_observation%
>
In article <hvdml9$t52$1@news.eternal-september.org>,
Graham. <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>> Same chemistry AFAIK (and therefore exactly the same voltage).
>> Just different construction.
>Why "hybrid" then, usually means a mixture of techniques or
>technologies, much like this random cross-post
Marketing. It combines the rechargability of rechargables with
the long shelf-life of ordinary batteries. That's close enough to
"hybrid" for a marketroid.
"Brian Gregory [UK]" <ng@bgdsv.co.uk> wrote in message
news:sOadnX-QJLogr4fRnZ2dnUVZ8rWdnZ2d@pipex.net...
> "David Woolley" <david@ex.djwhome.demon.invalid> wrote in message
> news:hv9r79$spf$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> Ian Jackson wrote:
>>
>>> Are 'modern' DAB radios designed to work with the lower voltage you get
>>> from NiMH (1.2V compared with 1.5V for non-rechargeable)? I've not tried
>>> it lately, but I recall that my DAB radio (my ONLY DAB radio) doesn't
>>> last long on rechargeables - maybe only an hour or two. After that, it
>>> will keep going for some time on FM.
>>
>> That's going to be expensive on non-rechargeables! The end point voltage
>> for alkalines is about 0.9 volts, and they spend quite a lot of their
>> life below 1.2.
>
> Indeed.
>
> There is an appallingly large amount of equipment around doesn't get
> anywhere near using all the available energy in the expensive batteries
> that power it.
>
> I've had particularly bad experiences with digital cameras.
If you use alkaline batteries, just keep the 'exhausted' ones and put them
in something else.
I find they run a quartz analogue clock for six months.
Rechargable batteries and information 
Linear Mode
