PaddleWise by thread

From: <sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] MiMH
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 12:21:57 -0800
>Try Thomas Distributing at http://www.nimhbattery.com/.
They have good
prices on chargers, too.

>Chuck Holst

I'm seeing 1600 mAH cells for half the cost of 1800s.
'Milli-ampere hours'
implies a linear proportionality to me, so we're talking ~
12% difference
in burn-time?  In some cases I'd rather have twice as many
cells (like for
my bike lights). As opposed to say, an EPIRB.



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] MiMH
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 16:13:49 -0500
From: <sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org>


> I'm seeing 1600 mAH cells for half the cost of 1800s. 'Milli-ampere hours'
> implies a linear proportionality to me, so we're talking ~ 12% difference
> in burn-time? 

I've seen a web page with informal tests done on NiMH batteries in GPS 
receivers and under those conditions, there is little difference in 
performance between 1600 to 2000 mAh AA batteries.  I've also 
found a web page that measured the true capacity of these various 
batteries and found that they often end up around the same regardless 
of rated capacity.  It seems that some manufacturers are overly 
optimistic while others are conservative.  I have 1600, 1700 and 
1800 battery sets and while I haven't measured anything, I haven't 
noticed a difference that stands out.

Rather than pay a premium for 1800-2000 mAh batteries, good 1700s
or 1600s are a better deal.  If you don't want to mail order, Wal-Mart 
and Home Depot have decent prices in my neighbourhood.

Mike
PS - I don't have the web URLs for the above.  The first was a GPS
enthusiast's and the second, I think, was a digital camera review
site.


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Peter Rathmann <prathman_at_attbi.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] NiMH
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 14:39:23 -0800
sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org wrote:
> I'm seeing 1600 mAH cells for half the cost of 1800s.
> 'Milli-ampere hours'
> implies a linear proportionality to me, so we're talking ~
> 12% difference
> in burn-time?  In some cases I'd rather have twice as many
> cells (like for
> my bike lights). As opposed to say, an EPIRB.

The NiMH battery technology keeps improving.  As with many things, it's
most economical to buy somewhat below the current state-of-the-art, so
at the moment the 1500 - 1700 mA-hr cells are usually the best deal.
However I wouldn't use any NiMH cells for an EPIRB since they slowly
discharge when left unused for long periods.  They're fine for a month
or so, but the capacity decreases substantially with longer storage.
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:31 PDT