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Thread ID: 58217	2005-05-25 05:50:00	Rechargeable NiMh AA batteries	godfather (25)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
358263	2005-05-25 05:50:00	Interesting test results in the current (June) PC User magazine regarding AA rechargeables for those who are interested. Looks like the DSE branded ones are best, even better than their nameplate in capacity. 2,300 mAh recorded from 2,000 mAh rated. Main brands are reasonable, but most of them still fall well short of the label rating. Many others perform poorly. Including my last set of 2,300 mAh from Jaycar, which came out at only 1,500 mAh under PC User test.	godfather (25)
358264	2005-05-25 06:26:00	Any chance you can post the Product code Godfather? Im looking for some cheap ones I can buy a few sets of and rotate use of in my Camera :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
358265	2005-05-25 06:54:00	The nearest I can get (and the NZ cat code lines up with Australian DSE, which lines up with the quoted price) is Digitor "AA" NiMH Battery 4 Pack www.dse.co.nz The article does not give cat numbers though - pity. Interesting price differential though. A$19.98 $NZ 33.80 While they are shown in the article as DSE, on both websites theu only have Digitor, but I note that DSE branding seems to be replacing Digitor quite a lot. Varta were also OK Some of the eBay sourced ones (various unknown names) are just rubbish.	godfather (25)
358266	2005-05-25 10:34:00	Talking of rubbish batteries, once my mum spotted a "bargain" on a holiday in Napiar last year. 16 batteries for $2. "Bargain" indeed. Each one in my MP# player lasted under an hour. And here's what it said on the packet: "Dinacell" Guaranteed fresh until June 2006 -- SUPER EXTRA ------------------------------------------------------------ Warning: Plese use (yes it was plese with an E) EXPLAN - Do no charge the batter that hasen't been used up or throw it into fire - Do not use it with common (carbolic) batter (carbolic batter? That doesn't sound tasty) - According to the use of equipments to install the batter. - Do not decompose the batter. Yep, every time it was referred to as batters. In addition, they all leak after about 2 months :o nasty brown stuff. Never buy dinacell SUPER EXTRA batteries.	george12 (7)
358267	2005-05-25 10:44:00	Hi godfather You may remember that on a previous thread I said that your observation that the "digitor" charger sold by DSE looked really good had subsequently been backed by Consumer Magazine as a best buy. ( I bought Maha, which are really good -- but not quite as good !). Now, I know that you are talking here about batteries - but they and the charger are linked to some extent. Misty :2cents:	Misty (368)
358268	2005-05-25 11:17:00	I have about 300 Aa Nimha battery.I use GP,panasonic and energizer brand.All of these brand are very goood.No problems at all!GP is the best!Energizer is the best as well!!	Ninjabear (2948)
358269	2005-05-26 10:18:00	Thanks GF for this infomation . Most interesting . Apart from published tests like this we dont usually have a clue about actual battery capacities . I've used an assortment of AA rechargeables for some years, for my Fuji602 . It uses 4 cells, which I keep together as sets . Mostly it has been OK . Used Maha & Lightning pack chargers, which both have the discharge/charge option . Recently I've read opinions & reviews about AA's & chargers on several forums . Seems there is now a new excellent charger . The LaCrosse BC-900 . . Whats so good about that? It's a bit technical, so turn off now if you dont want to be bothered . If you are still here, this charger has 4 channels . one for each cell . For each cell you can select the MODE: Charge Discharge, which goes to charge after discharge is completed . Test, this charges & dischargers the cell to determine the mah capacity Refresh, this cycles the cell charge & discharge many times to refresh a cell . DISPLAY: There is a display for each cell . It will show: Charging or discharging current = ma Voltage of cell = v Hours elapased . The final mah capacity of the cell . CURRENT: Where you can select the charging/discharging current 200-500-1000 ma Seems a bit of overkill, but it sure reveals the good or the bad cells . I was reasonably happy with my cells, but using this charger, I find some sets of cells had one or two that were much less than quoted capacity . The set is only as good as the worst one . I dont know if this charger is available here in NZ . I couldn't find it, so checked it out from the USA . On there I also found impressive recommendations for the SANYO 2500 mah cells . . So now having the LaCrosse charger, I have several SANYO 2500 mah cells . The results are amazing . SANYO 2500 rated capacity cells, as tested in this charger . 1 2710 2 2570 3 2770 4 2810 5 2790 6 2850 7 2650 8 2740 Impressive . . I believe the Sanyo is rebranded for other batteries . Does anyone know if the charger or Sanyo cells are available in NZ?	Bazza (407)
358270	2005-05-26 10:23:00	Thanks GF for this infomation . Most interesting . Apart from published tests like this we dont usually have a clue about actual battery capacities . I've used an assortment of AA rechargeables for some years, for my Fuji602 . It uses 4 cells, which I keep together as sets . Mostly it has been OK . Used Maha & Lightning pack chargers, which both have the discharge/charge option . Recently I've read opinions & reviews about AA's & chargers on several forums . Seems there is now a new excellent charger . The LaCrosse BC-900 . . Whats so good about that? It's a bit technical, so turn off now if you dont want to be bothered . If you are still here, this charger has 4 channels . one for each cell . For each cell you can select the MODE: Charge Discharge, which goes to charge after discharge is completed . Test, this charges & dischargers the cell to determine the mah capacity Refresh, this cycles the cell charge & discharge many times to refresh a cell . DISPLAY: There is a display for each cell . It will show: Charging or discharging current = ma Voltage of cell = v Hours elapased . The final mah capacity of the cell . CURRENT: Where you can select the charging/discharging current 200-500-1000 ma Seems a bit of overkill, but it sure reveals the good or the bad cells . I was reasonably happy with my cells, but using this charger, I find some sets of cells had one or two that were much less than quoted capacity . The set is only as good as the worst one . I dont know if this charger is available here in NZ . I couldn't find it, so checked it out from the USA . On there I also found impressive recommendations for the SANYO 2500 mah cells . . So now having the LaCrosse charger, I have several SANYO 2500 mah cells . The results are amazing . SANYO 2500 rated capacity cells, as tested in this charger . 1 2710 2 2570 3 2770 4 2810 5 2790 6 2850 7 2650 8 2740 Impressive . . I believe the Sanyo is rebranded for other batteries . Does anyone know if the charger or Sanyo cells are available in NZ? And no doubt costs the earth . :)	Cicero (40)
358271	2005-05-26 10:34:00	Seems not to be available here. There is a DiMage BC-900 but its a different animal altogether. You are correct that a set is only as good as the weakest battery, but it's worse than that. In devices that work well down to semi-flat cells, the cell that goes flat first then becomes reverse biased, a potentially damaging scenario that just weakens it further. That is why replacement battery packs for high end appliances are expensive, they have been capacity matched. I too have the S602 and a Nikon CoolPix 3200. Sanyo cells are available, were tested but a 2,500 mAh cell delivered only 1,800 mAh. Possibly different factory sources. Or your charger is wildly off in calibration.	godfather (25)
358272	2005-05-26 10:43:00	Certainly sounds the goods. www.thomas-distributing.com	Cicero (40)
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