rechargable batteries

[larknm]

Do you find rechargable batteries that are strong and last? If so, which ones do you use and which recharging brand and device do you use? When I tried these things last, years ago, they didn't give the quality I needed.

[Rogar]

From my experience, rechargables tend to gradually weaken. They loose their strength and do not hold a charge as long over time and don't seem to be quite as strong out of the box as regular. They still fit my needs for some less critical things. Clocks around the house, remotes, certain lighting. I still use regular batteries for my camping headlamp and other things that are more important.

[fidgiegirl]

We are big fans of rechargeables but are frustrated lately because we do need some fresh ones. Note also that you cannot just throw them out when they no longer hold a good charge. They must be properly recycled. Here is a site where you can look up where to recycle them: http://www.call2recycle.org/drop-off-your-old-batteries.php?c=1&d=486&w=9200

We prefer Duracell over Energizer, but I got some off brand ones with a camera I ordered on eBay five years ago and they are still going strong.

Also, we have found that for their use to be effective, they have to be well organized, or no one will ever use them. Here's our little system:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6173310975_09d99b4e4f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/6173310975/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/6173310975/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr

Notice that we have a spot where to put them if they are "dead." Then when we have enough we can take them in to Target or wherever for recycling. There are tons of locations.

I think over time we save money. I use an electric toothbrush that takes AAs, and just using them for that has saved me from buying lots and lots of batteries, and more importantly to us, putting them in the garbage.

[fidgiegirl]

We bought some today since this thread reminded me that we needed to get on it. Got 10 batteries for $20 at Costco. Let's hope that they last a long time; they are Sanyo brand.

This made me remember something else we do when we buy new rechargeables. We write the date on them. Then we know that it's likely the older ones that are not holding the charge as well when it is time to weed them out.

I wish we could find some kind of a tester, actually . . .

[fidgiegirl]

I never did say: we have an Energizer charger and an off brand one. They both to AAA or AA. I did see one today at Batteries Plus that would do any size: AAA, AA, C, D or 9V. That seems like it would be useful, although I guess we only use a 9V in a smoke detector and rarely need to change it. That was a $20 charger. You are able to buy starter packs at Target with charger and batteries.

[Gina]

Got 10 batteries for $20 at Costco. Let's hope that they last a long time; they are Sanyo brand.
I got the same pack recently. I use rechargables in my camera. When I used the regular AAs, I had to be changing them all the time. I got what I thought were 'good' ones, but several years later they are essentially worthless. They were my first ones, and I had no clue they would die within a few years. I still like them however. Live and learn. (Why is there always so much to learn?? ;))