Everything people have listed here I run with Eneloop rechargeable batteries. They work well for most things. There are some things like trail cameras that still need alkalines or lithium AAs.
@tweezak Eneloop, just like all other nickel-metal hydride batteries, have a nominal voltage of 1.2V versus the standard alkaline voltage of 1.5V. Those may work in battery operated fans or flashlights but they don’t work in many electronic devices. The few I need AA batteries for don’t like them. Apple Magic Mouse, Simpleway Automatic Soap Dispenser with Amino Acid Foaming Wash (bought here during meh-rathon), and wall clocks. Even for those items that they do work in, they don’t seem to last as long in the devices as a standard alkaline so I find myself having to change/charge batteries more often.
NiMh batteries have a steep discharge curve at the end so the devices you put them in have a hard time telling you how much battery life you have left (if they have an indicator). The device works and then suddenly doesn’t which is annoying.
@tweezak
The AA-powered cameras I have do not like Eneloops or any other NiMH; they all start reporting low charge within a few shots after installation even when I select “rechargeable” as the battery type in the settings. But I hate using leaky-ass alkalines in a device that expensive, so I end up carrying several sets of spare rechargeable cells for frequent swap-outs. Oddly, I get the longest runtimes from Rayovac, a brand I despise for alkalines.
@werehatrack Energizer Industrial and Fujitsu both performed well in my AA tests at work at high and low temperatures (75C to -30C). No signs of leaking in any of them. Not so with Duracell “not for retail sale” batteries. They leaked badly and had only mediocre performance. digikey.com is a great place to pick up the energizers or fujitsus. They sell the industrials which are not supposed to be sold retail and you can get them pretty cheap there.
@cengland0 I have enough devices in my house that are happy with Eneloops so I keep a stock of those. They also have a slow self-discharge rate which is nice for a rechargeable.
@tweezak@werehatrack Do you have any exact part numbers or links for these mentioned batteries at DigiKey? I feel like I need to be proficient in SQL to find anything on their site.
@brakeforbeer@werehatrack I don’t generally associate with people who are not code worthy to search Digi-Key effectively but because I’m feeling generous and am a good mehtizen I’ll make an exception - this time.
Wireless mice
Bluetooth mouse
Wireless keyboard
Bluetooth bathroom scale
XBOX controller for PC
Headlamp
Remotes (Roku, FireTV, Alexa. No cable remote thank God!)
Clock for Alexa
Nose hair trimmer
Digital food scale
Some just to keep in the refrigerator
And a buttload to keep in the refrigerator @shahnm
@kittykat9180
Ours has an internal rechargeable that gets topped up by the photovoltaic cell during the day. Or at least, that’s the theory. Most of the time, the light has to be on for about 10 minutes before it will work.
Wall clocks
Wireless keyboards and mice
One of the multimeters
Cameras
Tap lights and sensor lights
Bobs
Probably other things that I’m forgetting, too, but those for sure. My pocket flashlights of choice run on 14500 lithium rechargeables. The bigger flashlights use a mix of many types.
It’s always a nice idea to have some batteries on hand Christmas morning. It can be frustrating for someone to receive a gift that requires them and not have them available (especially if that recipient is a child).
Back in the 20th century it was almost impossible to find somewhere open on Christmas day to buy batteries. Earlier this century it became commonplace. Last year, it was almost impossible again.
@kittykat9180 Last year, Walgreen’s official company policy was that they were open on Christmas day, but the three closest stores to my home were closed.
Even though I think things will be closer to “normal” this year, a sign on the door of my “regular” Walgreen’s indicates they will be closed this Christmas (with the exception of the drive-thru pharmacy). Once again this is contrary to corporate policy, but I think staffing issues is making it difficult.
@DrWorm We were always sad to find out we needed something badly on Christmas Day and had to go to the 7-11 store. Just like Thanksgiving I wish everyone could have the day off and felt guilty going to 7-11 to buy camera film, batteries or some missed grocery item.
Battery operated items.
@yakkoTDI
/giphy captain obvious
Wireless mouse.
Radio controller for my Traxxas Rustler VXL
I need 'em for almost EVERY electronic device I own!!
/giphy too many toys
Thermometer
Surprising what still uses them.
Digital scale. For coffee and the like
My wife runs through batteries continually. I wish I knew why?
@hchavers Give her back the charge card. See if that helps.
@hchavers @Jackinga The batteries are probably cheaper.
@hchavers Maybe you should upgrade her Bob to a wireless charging one.
Consider giving a gift of a fancy flavored salt and a battery, to someone whom you don’t like; then send them a bill.
In other words, a charge of a salt and battery.
Beats the heck out of a lump of coal. And you can let them figure it out, which just adds to the fun.
Remote.
Bluetooth keyboards.
Bluetooth mouse.
Headlamp.
Battery powered touch lights bought from Meh.
Sporting events, apparently.
Xbox controllers
Everything people have listed here I run with Eneloop rechargeable batteries. They work well for most things. There are some things like trail cameras that still need alkalines or lithium AAs.
@tweezak Eneloop, just like all other nickel-metal hydride batteries, have a nominal voltage of 1.2V versus the standard alkaline voltage of 1.5V. Those may work in battery operated fans or flashlights but they don’t work in many electronic devices. The few I need AA batteries for don’t like them. Apple Magic Mouse, Simpleway Automatic Soap Dispenser with Amino Acid Foaming Wash (bought here during meh-rathon), and wall clocks. Even for those items that they do work in, they don’t seem to last as long in the devices as a standard alkaline so I find myself having to change/charge batteries more often.
NiMh batteries have a steep discharge curve at the end so the devices you put them in have a hard time telling you how much battery life you have left (if they have an indicator). The device works and then suddenly doesn’t which is annoying.
@tweezak
The AA-powered cameras I have do not like Eneloops or any other NiMH; they all start reporting low charge within a few shots after installation even when I select “rechargeable” as the battery type in the settings. But I hate using leaky-ass alkalines in a device that expensive, so I end up carrying several sets of spare rechargeable cells for frequent swap-outs. Oddly, I get the longest runtimes from Rayovac, a brand I despise for alkalines.
@werehatrack Energizer Industrial and Fujitsu both performed well in my AA tests at work at high and low temperatures (75C to -30C). No signs of leaking in any of them. Not so with Duracell “not for retail sale” batteries. They leaked badly and had only mediocre performance.
digikey.com is a great place to pick up the energizers or fujitsus. They sell the industrials which are not supposed to be sold retail and you can get them pretty cheap there.
@cengland0 I have enough devices in my house that are happy with Eneloops so I keep a stock of those. They also have a slow self-discharge rate which is nice for a rechargeable.
@tweezak @werehatrack Thanks, I hadn’t thought of DigiKey for batteries.
@tweezak @werehatrack Do you have any exact part numbers or links for these mentioned batteries at DigiKey? I feel like I need to be proficient in SQL to find anything on their site.
@brakeforbeer @werehatrack
Energizer Industrial EN91 (Digikey part number N107-ND)
Fujitsu LR6 G6 (Digikey part number SY630-ND)
I always exclude the “marketplace products” because I don’t want to risk getting counterfeits.
@brakeforbeer @werehatrack I don’t generally associate with people who are not code worthy to search Digi-Key effectively but because I’m feeling generous and am a good mehtizen I’ll make an exception - this time.
@tweezak @werehatrack Many thanks! I appreciate the info and the advice to avoid the “marketplace products.”
@brakeforbeer @werehatrack No problem. Oh, by the way, this might help.
Garbage can, toothbrush timer, tabletop holiday lights.
@Salanth Garbage can?!
@SEGAStaRBiTS64 Yes, Simplehuman and others. One you can even talk to. “Open can.”
Window candles, outdoor flameless candles, garbage cans, Stupid human soap dispensers, oh and fairy lights, wall clocks. Just a few things
Wireless mice
Bluetooth mouse
Wireless keyboard
Bluetooth bathroom scale
XBOX controller for PC
Headlamp
Remotes (Roku, FireTV, Alexa. No cable remote thank God!)
Clock for Alexa
Nose hair trimmer
Digital food scale
Some just to keep in the refrigerator
And a buttload to keep in the refrigerator @shahnm
Wireless mice, mostly
Headlamp
Wouldn’t YOU like to know?
@ircon96
Personal preferences in personal devices are personal.
@werehatrack Exactly!
Company for their friends in my fridge.
@shahnm I Was just about ready to flag you on this…
@shahnm
What, you don’t have an entire extra fridge just for your battery collection at this point?
@shahnm Batteries are friends, not food?
@werehatrack Why would I stop at just one extra…?
Currently, my bathroom scale that keeps saying Lo when I step on it.
@kittykat9180
Ours has an internal rechargeable that gets topped up by the photovoltaic cell during the day. Or at least, that’s the theory. Most of the time, the light has to be on for about 10 minutes before it will work.
@werehatrack, mine just takes 3 AAA batteries.
@kittykat9180 At least it doesn’t say: “One at a time, please”, like mine does.
Wall clocks
Wireless keyboards and mice
One of the multimeters
Cameras
Tap lights and sensor lights
Bobs
Probably other things that I’m forgetting, too, but those for sure. My pocket flashlights of choice run on 14500 lithium rechargeables. The bigger flashlights use a mix of many types.
Most of our remote controls are rechargeable, but a couple aren’t.
Wireless keyboard and mouse
Other stuff has to be run on batteries as many as we go through, I just don’t know what those items are…either that, or hubby is eating them…
@wifeduck
Some AAA batteries can be used as deer slugs in a .410 shotgun, if you’re brave and foolish.
@werehatrack @wifeduck I’ll file that one away for the apocalypse.
This month all my light up holiday decorations.
It’s always a nice idea to have some batteries on hand Christmas morning. It can be frustrating for someone to receive a gift that requires them and not have them available (especially if that recipient is a child).
Back in the 20th century it was almost impossible to find somewhere open on Christmas day to buy batteries. Earlier this century it became commonplace. Last year, it was almost impossible again.
@DrWorm, CVS and Walgreens
@kittykat9180 Last year, Walgreen’s official company policy was that they were open on Christmas day, but the three closest stores to my home were closed.
Even though I think things will be closer to “normal” this year, a sign on the door of my “regular” Walgreen’s indicates they will be closed this Christmas (with the exception of the drive-thru pharmacy). Once again this is contrary to corporate policy, but I think staffing issues is making it difficult.
@DrWorm We were always sad to find out we needed something badly on Christmas Day and had to go to the 7-11 store. Just like Thanksgiving I wish everyone could have the day off and felt guilty going to 7-11 to buy camera film, batteries or some missed grocery item.
/giphy your mom
Candles. No, wait, those mostly run on D cells, because they last forever.