Comments on: Are eneloop Batteries Too Good to be True? Nope! http://learnwithbetsy.com/2009/eneloop-batteries-too-good-to-be-true Programs + Materials for Professional Photographers Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:06:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Sweeney http://learnwithbetsy.com/2009/eneloop-batteries-too-good-to-be-true/comment-page-1#comment-2563 Mike Sweeney Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:03:51 +0000 http://learnwithbetsy.com/?p=1652#comment-2563 One mistake but a little known one is that the Duracell brand of NiMH cells have excessive internal resistance which causes them to have a much shorter life span (charge) then almost any other major brand I've tested. The as common "Eveready" will last longer by a fair margin. Neither will work as well as the eeloops over time. Most of my 2600 mAh cells never charge to that level anyways.. they always fall short, sometimes by a lot and sometimes by a little. A another point of contention and little mentioned is that the high capacity cells do not always fit quite right into some electronic bays. They are a bit fatter and sometimes a bit shorter than a normal lower capacity cell. The eeloops fit everything without fail. The Evereadys are close but sometimes a tight fit. I have some knockoffs that work but are a bit too short at times. My Duracells have all been tossed in favor of Eveready and eeloops. I do a slow charge with an 8 slot (two hour) soft charger and all have held up very well over the past year. One mistake but a little known one is that the Duracell brand of NiMH cells have excessive internal resistance which causes them to have a much shorter life span (charge) then almost any other major brand I’ve tested. The as common “Eveready” will last longer by a fair margin. Neither will work as well as the eeloops over time. Most of my 2600 mAh cells never charge to that level anyways.. they always fall short, sometimes by a lot and sometimes by a little. A another point of contention and little mentioned is that the high capacity cells do not always fit quite right into some electronic bays. They are a bit fatter and sometimes a bit shorter than a normal lower capacity cell. The eeloops fit everything without fail. The Evereadys are close but sometimes a tight fit. I have some knockoffs that work but are a bit too short at times.

My Duracells have all been tossed in favor of Eveready and eeloops. I do a slow charge with an 8 slot (two hour) soft charger and all have held up very well over the past year.

]]> By: Betsy Finn http://learnwithbetsy.com/2009/eneloop-batteries-too-good-to-be-true/comment-page-1#comment-2459 Betsy Finn Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:02:19 +0000 http://learnwithbetsy.com/?p=1652#comment-2459 Eddie, the first test was done to simulate the eneloop's claim that the batteries can be used off-the-shelf, no matter when they were last charged. The "standard" Ni-MH batteries I used were Duracell brand. Brand new, and charged for the first time just prior to test #2. Actually, the first time I charged the eneloop batteries was just prior to test #2 as well. Chargers used -- I used the eneloop approved slow-charger for the eneloop batteries (as they're not "approved" for charging in standard chargers). To charge the 2650 mAh batteries, I used an overnight charger (I am traveling right now, but I will find the specs when I am able). Eddie, the first test was done to simulate the eneloop’s claim that the batteries can be used off-the-shelf, no matter when they were last charged.

The “standard” Ni-MH batteries I used were Duracell brand. Brand new, and charged for the first time just prior to test #2. Actually, the first time I charged the eneloop batteries was just prior to test #2 as well.

Chargers used — I used the eneloop approved slow-charger for the eneloop batteries (as they’re not “approved” for charging in standard chargers). To charge the 2650 mAh batteries, I used an overnight charger (I am traveling right now, but I will find the specs when I am able).

]]> By: Eddie Clark http://learnwithbetsy.com/2009/eneloop-batteries-too-good-to-be-true/comment-page-1#comment-2445 Eddie Clark Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:15:39 +0000 http://learnwithbetsy.com/?p=1652#comment-2445 I've got some problems with your review. The first test was done on partially charged batteries. How can you quanitfy if it had a little or a lot of charge left? I get the part about the eneloops needing a few recharge cycles for them to get their maximum charge, but the full drain versus partial drain is a bit confusing. For the second test, it would be good to know which brand of nimh was used, were they brand new, a year old, how many charge cycles have they been subjected too, and which type of recharger was used? I've seen a fair amount of variance between 4 hour rechargers and quick chargers from different manufacturers between different nimh's. As best I can tell, the only real advantage the eneloops have is better off the shelf charge. I'd never consider relying on batteries that have sat idle for weeks or months, but instead would recharge them the day before I used them. I’ve got some problems with your review. The first test was done on partially charged batteries. How can you quanitfy if it had a little or a lot of charge left? I get the part about the eneloops needing a few recharge cycles for them to get their maximum charge, but the full drain versus partial drain is a bit confusing.

For the second test, it would be good to know which brand of nimh was used, were they brand new, a year old, how many charge cycles have they been subjected too, and which type of recharger was used? I’ve seen a fair amount of variance between 4 hour rechargers and quick chargers from different manufacturers between different nimh’s.

As best I can tell, the only real advantage the eneloops have is better off the shelf charge. I’d never consider relying on batteries that have sat idle for weeks or months, but instead would recharge them the day before I used them.

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