Organizing and Choosing Batteries for RV Gadgets

Thread Summary

Summarized on:
Original Member Title: AA, AAA, 9V etc. etc.
This AI-generated summary may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the full thread for complete details.
Members discussed how many RV and household gadgets now require AA, AAA, 9V, button cells, camera batteries, TPMS batteries, flashlight cells, and other specialty sizes. Several RVers keep large battery organizers in the house and RV, often with a small tester or multimeter, and noted that buying multipacks online can be far cheaper than buying singles at drugstores or convenience stores.

  • Some members prefer rechargeable NiMH AA and AAA batteries, reporting long service life and fewer...
More...
jymbee

jymbee

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2018
Posts
5,482
Location
Upstate NY
I remember when a 4 pack of AA batteries used to be around 5 bucks. Probably still are at some "convenience" stores, but these days, you can buy packs of 40 AAs for example for about a quarter each. Good thing as it seems we have WAY too many gadgets that take batteries as evidenced by my recycle box:

batts.JPG
 
Yeah I keep a large suitcase style plastic organizer full of all the varieties along with a small multi meter. I find the 9 volts seem to expire the soonest, even before their date. I keep them all in the house for more temperature controlled storage. People used to say keep them in the fridge but with all the ones we keep on hand who has room?

Around here they tell us the regular batteries can just go in the landfill, only the lithiums get recycled.
 
I decided to go with a couple of these. 8 AA lithium cells with capacities close to what you'll get from an alkaline cell in a plastic storage/charging case. Runs on a USB outlet and is inert unless plugged in. Also available in AAA size.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6J551WT
 
I use a lot of rechargable's but even with a common Alakline battery.

This works


At least for a few cycles

Now the risks/benefits.. Benefit: It works. frewquently

The risk. This type of battery like the older Carbon/Zinc types the power is produced by a chemical reacition beween the center rod and the case.. As this happens the case is eaten away.. when you recharge the case material is re-deposited but not always (or often) in the same space.

Eventually there is a hole, there is a hole there's a hole in the case and it leaks.

But I've some I've re-charged 3-5 times so far.. still working.

 
10 years ago I bought a 12 pack of Amazon Basic AA NiMH rechargable batteries for about $10. They can be recharged up to 1000 times. They worked so well I bought AAA also. Forget all the non-rechargeable batteries.

Please give me a break before saying they have to be recharged too often. Yes, you are absolutely friggin right. They only last 2 years in a TV remote control, 1 year in a clock, or 9 months in a computer mouse used 6 hours per day. Boo hoo for you if that's a problem.

Not a single one has failed yet. But the #1 reason to use these? I have not had a single one leak in 10 years. Which means no more ruined remotes. Which has been the biggest problem since Duracell copper top batteries stopped being copper topped.

All my flashlights use Panasonic/NCR 18650 batteries. Which I believe is the best brand. Protected so they are so much less likely to catch fire. I still have several that are a dozen years old and still working.
 
Last edited:
The problem with rechargeable batteries is that often the are just a bit larger than standard AA &AAA batteries. All of my photo gear seems to be made specifically for NIMH but my music gear, stomp boxes and even a couple of guitars don’t allow enough room for even a hair bigger batteries. The even have problems with different brands.

If they’re too loose you can hear them rattle, too tight and you’ll have trouble getting them out.

I bought a bunch of Panasonic Eneloop and later a dozen or so Amazon Basic NIMH. Most of them have lasted over 10 years.
 
Be careful of the voltage rating. Some Nimh and lithium are only 1.2 volts.
I bought some for my camera and they wouldn't work. Camera showed low battery.
 
Yep some devices do not like the 1.2-1.3 NMH batteries. Also, some do not like the higher voltage of the Rechargeable Lithium batteries. 1.65v after charge and resting, On a fresh AA and AAA I have seen 1.8v after a month of sitting after charge.
 
gwinger said:
Be careful of the voltage rating. Some Nimh and lithium are only 1.2 volts.
I bought some for my camera and they wouldn't work. Camera showed low battery.
Click to expand...
NiMh are indeed 1.2 volts. However, rechargable lithium voltage is actually about 3.6 - 3.7 volts per cell with an internal regulator to bring the output down to a stable 1.5 volts.
 
Lou Schneider said:
NiMh are indeed 1.2 volts. However, rechargable lithium voltage is actually about 3.6 - 3.7 volts per cell with an internal regulator to bring the output down to a stable 1.5 volts.
Click to expand...
I didn't know about that regulator. What type of regulator does it use?

BTW, one thing I didn't realize for years is that batteries are rated at their minimum useful voltage. IOW, when a 12-Volt battery measures 12.0 volts it means it is either to be to be recharged or trashed. Same with 9V and 1.5 V batteries etc.

And why my new lifePo04 batteries say "12.8 volts" when they measure almost one volt higher at full charge rest.

That is why they all measure higher when new or recharged. 12.8 VDC is below 20% SOC.

-Don- Reno, NV
 
Bigfootford said:
some do not like the higher voltage of the Rechargeable Lithium batteries.
Click to expand...
And some items, such as my hiking GPS units, under "settings-battery" askes what type of batteries I am using between rechargeable, alkaline and lith. Cameras and other such items may also have such a selection.

-Don- Reno, NV
 
At times it seems my whole world runs on batteries. Beyond AA/AAA there,s... C, D, CR2016, CR2025, R2032, LR54/L1131F, 23A, CR2450, EL123AP, 357, CR2450, LR44, LR1130/AG10, L1131F, A27/27A to name a few.

I amass a collection given you can typically buy a dozen of any given type on Amazon for what you'd pay for a single battery at a drugstore counter.

buttons.jpg
 
TheBar said:
10 years ago I bought a 12 pack of Amazon Basic AA NiMH rechargable batteries for about $10. They can be recharged up to 1000 times. They worked so well I bought AAA also. Forget all the non-rechargeable batteries.
Click to expand...

I use a lot of NiMH rechargables too... I use both kings and the Popular Mechanics and if I can figure out where it went my X-charger both charge them well.

Oh the X-charger does the battery Well you can get these little and amazingly bright LED flashlights. that use either 3 AAAs or a single Rechargable that replaces the holder. IT does those too ... also conditions and tests and a bunch of other stuff.

I may need to replace that puppy if I can't find it though the Popular Mechanics does a good job on most of 'em.

This battery looks interesting... THe web site is real light on details but that looks like a built in USB C re-charge port.

 
jymbee said:
At times it seems my whole world runs on batteries. Beyond AA/AAA there,s... C, D, CR2016, CR2025, R2032, LR54/L1131F, 23A, CR2450, EL123AP, 357, CR2450, LR44, LR1130/AG10, L1131F, A27/27A to name a few.

I amass a collection given you can typically buy a dozen of any given type on Amazon for what you'd pay for a single battery at a drugstore counter.

Click to expand...
Even though I am a slob, my batteries are neater and more organized as I have four of these thingies below. One in each house and another in each RV. Each also has a battery voltmeter (the black & red thingy in the upper right corner). The three upside-down 9V batteries below the voltmeter are rechargeable, showing the "C" USB socket that they can be charge by (C-USB can be higher than 9V).


Many of my batteries are past the stale date because I have more than I can use. I find most, by far, work many years well past the stale date but I do find a few that go dead or weak. I try to remember to check them all once in a while to get rid of the few bad ones:

batts.JPG

Amazon sells many styles of these. See here for info.


-Don- Reno, NV
 
John From Detroit said:
THe web site is real light on details but that looks like a built in USB C re-charge port.
Click to expand...
Yes, and it most likely can be both, an input for charging as well as an output to use.

Such as the "C" on my HFT power station. I can use it as an output or an input to charge it with.

Such is getting common for the new "C" USB.

-Don- Reno, NV
 
bigbAZ said:
Yeah I keep a large suitcase style plastic organizer full of all the varieties along with a small multi meter. I find the 9 volts seem to expire the soonest, even before their date. I keep them all in the house for more temperature controlled storage. People used to say keep them in the fridge but with all the ones we keep on hand who has room?

Around here they tell us the regular batteries can just go in the landfill, only the lithiums get recycled.
Click to expand...
We were given one of those as a gift. What a great way to keep your batteries stored and organized. ;)
Safe travels and all the best
 
DonTom said:
Even though I am a slob, my batteries are neater and more organized as I have four of these thingies below.
Amazon sells many styles of these. See here for info.
-Don- Reno, NV
Click to expand...
I've got a couple of similar battery holders but only for AA & AAA given they are by far the most I use. Also have a couple of testers that can be used to all kinds of these small batteries including the buttons.
DonTom said:
Many of my batteries are past the stale date because I have more than I can use
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm sure some of these buttons are in that same state of staleness given I tossed them in the bin a LONG time ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New posts

Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom