Re: [Paddlewise] Battery Questions

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 08:54:16 -0800
Bill Leonhardt wrote:
> 
> I paddle with several devices that are powered with conventional alkaline
> AA and C dry cell batteries (flashlight, head light, strobe, weather radio
> sometimes, etc).  [snip]

> 1.   What do you do with slightly used batteries that you don't want to
> take to sea?  

Same as you -- put 'em in noncritical devices.  For me, that's usually some
flashlight.  Seems like we use those up pretty fast.  I also buy the
alkalines with the little strip on the side which allows you to check their
capacity (Duracell "PowerCheck" is one type) before each trip.  With the
PowerCheck, seems like there is plenty of capacity (for at least 1/2 hour
of transmitting on my VHF) until the strip moves off the middle of the
green range.
> 
> 2.   Are rechargeable AA and C batteries a practical alternative to
> conventional alkaline cells?  Do they work as long when needed?  Are there
> problems with charging memories (theirs, not mine)?

NiCads can fail unexpectedly, so I do not use them in critical devices,
such as my VHF.  There are some rechargeable alkalines out, now, which
might be a better alternative.  I believe there are some new variants on
NiCads which may have greater reliability.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************
Received on Mon Dec 28 1998 - 08:52:55 PST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:02 PDT