Frustrated With Re-chargeable AA Batteries

[ditto1958]

Two of my radios use AA batteries. My Tecsun PL-660 came with four Tecsun branded AA’s. My Eton Executive Elite did not come with batteries so I bought some Amazon Basics 2400 mah ones.

The Eton seemed to drain those batteries way too fast considering the relatively short periods of times i would use it. So a few months ago I switched to some alkalines and haven‘t changed them since.

At first the Tecsun didn‘t seem to have that issue. It hardly ever needed charging. But recently the batteries were low, and I hooked it up to the supplied charger unit and charged it until it stopped and the battery gauge read full. Used it a couple of times for a few minutes for two days and the batteries puked again.

If that happens again, the Tecsun is getting alkalines too.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I've been using EBL 2800 mAh rechargeables for about a year now, and I love them. I use mine in a BC125AT, a BCD325P2, and my Eton Elite Executive. A pair give me 5 - 5½ hours runtime in the Unidens, and 4 last almost 24 hours straight in the Eton.

The best thing I've done for my batteries is to get a proper external charger. I've been using this charger for several years now, and it takes care of all my rechargeables, no matter which chemistry is used. Lifespan is greatly increased when the cells don't get overheated in an unregulated charger.

A good charger pays for itself quickly, especially compared to alkalines.

 

[RobDLG]

I have three Uniden scanners that use AAs, and even purchasing the batteries can be frustrating!

The local warehouse club bundles rechargeable AAs with other items I don't need, such as AAA batteries. Then, I thought I was going to get a deal on a box of batteries at another store. Not only did I have to look all over to find them, but there were different "in-store" and "online-only" prices! I left without buying anything.

As already mentioned, having a good charger is imperative. The charger should have an "intelligent"/"smart" display showing voltage and capacity, and should be able to charge cells independently. Batteries will exhibit uneven wear over time, and it's important to pair them using the data reported by the charger. This means basic monitoring of the charging process every time, and swapping batteries around as needed.

 

[CollinsURG]

I've been using EBL 2800 mAh rechargeables for about a year now, and I love them. I use mine in a BC125AT, a BCD325P2, and my Eton Elite Executive. A pair give me 5 - 5½ hours runtime in the Unidens, and 4 last almost 24 hours straight in the Eton.

The best thing I've done for my batteries is to get a proper external charger. I've been using this charger for several years now, and it takes care of all my rechargeables, no matter which chemistry is used. Lifespan is greatly increased when the cells don't get overheated in an unregulated charger.

A good charger pays for itself quickly, especially compared to alkalines.

I second the EBL 2800. Best life so far in the BCD325P2. None have gone bad on me so far in about 3 years use for even the older ones. The newer version seems to have a bit better life even though still only rated at 2800 mAh.

Be sure to use a smart charger. The EBL and eneloop chargers I have work well.

https://a.co/d/0aNTXZOj

 

[ind224]

I have had excellent results with Tenergy Ni-MH both AA and AAA. 2800Ah AA and 1000Ah AAA. I see the EBL come in both NiMH and Lithium... link posted was NiMH...is everybody choosing NiMH over Li?

 

[EAFrizzle]

I prefer NiMH over Lithium for anything that goes in a radio, because of the transformers in the cells. Lithium cells are at 3.6V nominal versus 1.2V for NiMH or 1.5 for alkaline. A lot of folks use them with no problems, but I expect those transformers to fail, most likely when most needed. I like them as an alternative for non-radio stuff; the extra capacity is nice to have when the power is out after a hurricane.

I should probably try a new, high-quality set of the Lithiums in my Eton and Unidens. They may be a lot better now than the ones I tried when they first came out.

 

[vagrant]

TLDR: Panasonic Eneloop for me along with their charger.

I have used over a dozen of the EBL 2800 and they definitely do not last as long as the Panasonic Eneloop, especially in the number of years. The EBL do work, but I have relegated them to TV remotes and similar devices due to their overall lack of performance.

The Eneloop have lasted at least eight years with most 10 or more in many different devices. I also use the Ikea LADDA AA batteries, but not long enough yet to compare. As for a charger, I use the one that came with the Panasonic Eneloop. They charge the batteries independently. ( The much older charger did not ) I definitely do not use the built-in radio charger.

I have also tried the Coast lithum batteries and the lasted barely a year, with one not even that long. Those particular batteries also produced unfriendly RFI.

 

[CollinsURG]

I prefer NiMH over Lithium for anything that goes in a radio, because of the transformers in the cells. Lithium cells are at 3.6V nominal versus 1.2V for NiMH or 1.5 for alkaline. A lot of folks use them with no problems, but I expect those transformers to fail, most likely when most needed. I like them as an alternative for non-radio stuff; the extra capacity is nice to have when the power is out after a hurricane.

I should probably try a new, high-quality set of the Lithiums in my Eton and Unidens. They may be a lot better now than the ones I tried when they first came out.

I have tried a few lithium AA cells. All of them generated RFI and some completely wiped out VHF reception.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I wish more manufacturers would go to the cylindrical cell standard; 18650s and 21700s can be had in various capacities and maximum current ratings.

 

[wtp]

not here to sell anything, so here is an old one.
i charge cells and write the capacity on each cell.
the the to two go in the 325 the next 3 go in the 396XT, and so on.
even new does not mean it works.

Powerex MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger (DISCONTINUED)

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[buddrousa]

How often do we see I bought the 10 for $1 batteries and they are crap. You get what you pay for.

 

[EAFrizzle]

How often do we see I bought the 10 for $1 batteries and they are crap. You get what you pay for.

Yeah, but if you're not going to maintain them properly, you might as well buy the cheap junk. With a decent external charger that monitors the battery's conditions, even the Amazon basics cells do ok. I use them in clocks and remotes; no sense in wasting good ones in stuff like that.

 

[ditto1958]

I see several recommendations to use a good dedicated charger. Which sounds like a smart thing to do, except… I also recall watching youtube reviews where they recommend charging the batteries in the radio with the supplied charger.

I think that for me unless I’m using it for hours every day, I’m best off using some good alkalines. I went through that with compact digital cameras and AA’s back in the day. If I was using a camera a lot, such as on a vacation, then I‘d use NiMH AA’s and charge and rotate them. Some of those old cameras could eat though a pair of batteries really fast.

Then, back at home, if my camera was only getting used hear and there, I’d just store fresh alkaline AA’s with the camera. They‘d last pretty long for occasional use and would also hold their charge.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Are those videos from radio reviewers or battery reviewers? The reason I ask is because I use a  lot of 18650s in a high amp discharge device.

I've been vaping since it first started in the US, and still use a mechanical for the best experience. The coils I use pull around 11 amps each draw, enough to soften the battery terminals and dent them under the pressure. I run regulated boxes at the same level. Even the best regulated boxes and chipsets won't charge as well as a dedicated external charger.

Buying good cells, good chargers, and maintaining them properly saves money and frustration.

 

[buddrousa]

So the choice is do you want to watch a youtube influencer that gets paid to tell you about the batteries or you going to listen the real scanner owners and what and how they use them.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Well, seeing how the scanner owners whine about battery life after charging them in the scanner, yeah, I'm going to listen to the battery guys when it comes to batteries. Those radio YouTubers are paid just like all the rest of them.

 

[RobDLG]

If it's not clear from the last paragraph on page 16 of the BCD325P2 manual, the internal charger is primitive and unsuitable for unattended operation. I've concluded that it's a last resort to be used for short periods only when other charging methods are unavailable and/or impractical.

 

[RobDLG]

Also note that the sealed SDS150 battery pack uses 18650 cells.

 

[buddrousa]

Well I trust my senior members here well before I trust a youtube clown that has never owned or used a scanner before. I know several users here I trust.
The same goes for buying from the Classifieds you gonna send $1000 to a user with no post that just joined or a 20 year member with 10,000 post.

 

[ditto1958]

I actually have been very satisfied with the radios I have that use 18650 batteries, even one with a reputation for being power hungry.

The 18650 battery radios seem to be pretty consistent and reliable and they seem to store a good amount of power.