David Lock

My family seem to eat up AA (MN-1500) batteries so I just wondered if anyone knew the best value ones to get?

I have always used Duracell but this was probably because of the ads I have tried rechargeables but they don't appeal.

Duracell in the shops usually cost more than the others but if I remember in time I can get a pack of 10, Duracell Procell, from MDS Batteries for £2.98.

So any tips?

David

StickyMicky

Give them sandwiches instead

TelBoy

Batteries are one of the things Ebay is brilliant at. They're cheap as chips, especially regular sizes like this. Or are you averse to using Ebay?

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Like you, I'm constantly using batteries up & it ends up costing a fortune. You can get a charger & 4 batteries from Argos for £10 + another 4 for another £10 & just rotate as necessary.

Doesn't make sense to do otherwise.

Jamescsti

I buy Duracell when they are on offer, most supermarkets are doing "buy one get one free" at the moment on 4 pack AA batteries so not bad value.
I don't think any other brands last as long as Duracell to be honest, tried Energiser in my xbox remotes and they seemed to die really fast

dpb

I think they are one of the best . But can you not run things off transformers ?

Iv bought duracell off the net when ordering something else , that needed them , for what i thought was an astoundingly cheap price - unfortunatly im still trying to remember where

..But it made me realise just how many hundred percentage mark up the highstreet were taking

David Lock

Np problems with e-bay but with things like batteries I wonder if I am getting old stock. But worth taking a chance for the savings I suppose.

They're not for my life support machine after all

d

TelBoy

Buy from a supplier with good feedback and you'll get batteries well within their lifespan, in fact many sellers actually quote the expiry date. I've never been fleeced and wouldn't buy batteries anywhere else now.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

What type of rechargeables and what type of charger? Because there are two types of both: good ones, and crap ones.

If they are Ni-Cd (nicad) bin them. Outdated, old tech. And you shouldn't dismiss the performance of rechargeables based on these.

If its a dumb fast charger (usually anything branded by Duracell, energizer and most chargers bundled in the same packaging as the batteries etc), it will not properly charge the batteries and eventually ruin them. You can have the best batteries in the world, but they quickly get ruined if you have a crap charger (and fact is, most chargers are rubbish). I've learnt this myself the hard way.

What do I recommend?

Have a look at Sanyo's Eneloop batteries (Sanyo used to be the best rechargeable manufacturer out there) - they come pre-charged, do not self discharge (well they do, but not by much), have good capacity (2000mAh+) and are rechargeable.

Ansmann also make similar type cells called "Ansmann max E". And Panasonic "Infinium".

As for chargers, ALWAYS use a "peak detect" charger which can charge individual cells (not pairs). Any other type of charger will knacker your batteries in the long run.

I recommend the AnsMann Powerline 5 mobile, which is fully automatic, and can be had for about £25 or alternatively Sanyo MQR06.(warning, some online retailers sell this with an EU plug with a UK adapter).

TelBoy

Got to love an Asperger reply

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

I get duracell procell batteries free as the father in law has to use up his departments budget, or they reduce next years budget .

Leslie

That will be for the same reason that we see useless roadworks and building constructions coming up to the end of the financial year then.

Les

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Ebay and search for Fujicell 2800 (or higher rating) they are quite cheap, I bought around 20 and a small charger, means come Christmas all of their toys are catered for and can be reused. No more running out to the garage. Had them 2 years now and have saved me a fortune.

Ant

Tell your wife to go easy on the toys , there's a saving right there

Chip

Luckily we have these batteries in our stores at work.

Chip

MDS_WRX

iTrader: (1)

I always use Duracel Ulta M3's they seem to last for a really long time plus they come with the indicator on the battery that you hold down to see how much life is left in them. Order 40 from 7dayshop for £14.89 delivered and it works out around 37p per battery which is pretty good value.

porky_wrx

iTrader: (6)

I can get duracell procell packs of 10 for £170+vat from my work seem an ok battery

Blue by You

iTrader: (23)

£170?

David Lock

Thanks all and thanks Ali or your thesis. Porky - I won't mention the minor typo

My charger is not the cheapest around but what I find is the rechargeables just don't hold their charge for very long. So if I suddenly need a couple in an emergency then they have gone flat! And if I put them in to charge I often forget to turn the bloody thing off so I am sure my office is a fire hazard.........

Just bought 30 Procells for £8.94 inc VAT and free p/p so I hope Paypal can cope with that.

David

porky_wrx

iTrader: (6)

£1.70 replied on me iPhone bloody things lol

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

These are my favourite batteries

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/16-x-Energizer...item19c1052d7d

Not cheap, but last loads longer than normal duracell/energizer etc.

DCI Gene Hunt

Rampant Rabbit Thruster
♦ Material: PVC/ABS
♦ Batteries: 4 x AA (not included)
♦ Waterproof: No
♦ Special Function: Shaft & **** Stim
♦ Length: 19cm - 7.5in
♦ Girth: 13cm - 5.1in

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I got the kids rechargables for the Xbox controllers as i was getting expensive, so now they just launch rechargables into the bin, therefore, normal batteries are the cheaper option !

TelBoy

You charge by the hour for Dad services?

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

B&Q own-brand alkalines are 16 for £3.49 - perfect for things like TV remotes or other relatively low-drain items.

If you've been put off rechargeables because of dubious performance in the past, it might be worth trying some of the new 'stay-charged' or 'pre-charged' NiMH types, especially for higher-value items like digital cameras (which one hopes will be treated a bit more carefully). Like ordinary NiMH, these have the advantage of no memory effect, meaning they don't lose any of their efficiency if they're frequently re-charged before they've gone completely flat, but unlike ordinary NiMH they won't discharge by themselves when they're not used. Old-style NiMH would go completely flat after just a few weeks if left idle, but these claim to stay 90% charged even after 6 months. The best value brand are probably 'GP Recyko', which normally go for around £5 or £6 for 4 depending on where you shop, or there's equivalent Duracells with similar technology at close to double the price. Amazon, ebay or somewhere like Farnell electronics are the best places for these.

David Lock

OK thanks, I might have another go at re-charging with some decent batteries.

If I forget to turn off the charger is this hazardous or will it harm the batteries?

I have a Jessops charger which does up to 4 x AA btw.

d

Dingdongler

Costco

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Should be fine, although I haven't consciously experimented with leaving them on to charge very much longer than normal. Check the output rating of your charger and the capacity of the batteries, and that should give you a good idea of how long one full charge should take.

hughes741

according to the gadget show a while ago they said that morrisons own brand were the best value for money

PaulC72

I don't really rate duracell I don't think cost v length of use beats buying a cheaper battery. imo of course.