Warehouse do boxes of batteries 

bunnings

Thanks guys

Varta brand from Bunnings are quite good.

Number 8 alkalines from mitre10 here. Varta from bunnings did me in the past, but the number 8 seem to last about as long and are cheaper. No leaks yet which was a constant problem with energizers.

I go for the Varta at Bunnings.  Seem to last just about as long as anything else.  

1-Day sometimes has bulk Phillips batteries, but I have not tried those as they have (usually) had a fairly soonish expiry date and doubt I would use them in time.  Also by the time you add shipping the savings just ain't worth it.  

If you don't use heaps, buy a smaller pack. The DSE batteries tend to leak after a while. I've stopped using alkaline in things like remotes where they would last a long time and the damage would be annoying. I use NiMH Eneloop in those.

I buy re-chargeables. They cost more, but you can charge them over 100 times.....effectively making each battery 100 batteries. 

So a dozen is 1200 batteries....for a fraction of the price of 1200 batteries.

I find rechargables very sub-par in remote controls that take 2 AAA cells, lower voltage makes any remote perform like the crap ones with low cost TV's - have to aim direct at the TV vs anywhere in the room.

TBH, not many things I have now use AA or AAA's - mainly things like weather station sensors, remotes that come with appliances, small gadgets etc.

Things that would be AA's etc in the past like small flashlights, useless hobby projects etc are all now wither inbuilt lithiums or I run off 5v USB so just use powerbanks etc so my battery usage is _way_ down on what it used to be.

@richms aren't alkaline and NiMH both around 1.2V most of the time? I know a fresh Alkaline might start at 1.5V, but that's only when it's very new.

What's the best type of battery for remotes? The old carbon zinc? I use eneloop in some of my remotes just fine.

richms:

 

I find rechargables very sub-par in remote controls that take 2 AAA cells, lower voltage makes any remote perform like the crap ones with low cost TV's - have to aim direct at the TV vs anywhere in the room.

 

TBH, not many things I have now use AA or AAA's - mainly things like weather station sensors, remotes that come with appliances, small gadgets etc.

 

Things that would be AA's etc in the past like small flashlights, useless hobby projects etc are all now wither inbuilt lithiums or I run off 5v USB so just use powerbanks etc so my battery usage is _way_ down on what it used to be.

 

Well, with kids it seems like there's always a need to keep a supply of AAs and AAAs on-hand! Always some sh!tty toy they get given that needs batteries...

Apart from the cheapies from Mitre 10, I've also bought quite a few from The Clearance Shed - they've often got Kodak-branded AAs and AAAs at good prices. (In Wellington region, seems like Porirua is the only outlet).

scuwp:

 

I go for the Varta at Bunnings.  Seem to last just about as long as anything else.  

 

1-Day sometimes has bulk Phillips batteries, but I have not tried those as they have (usually) had a fairly soonish expiry date and doubt I would use them in time.  Also by the time you add shipping the savings just ain't worth it.  

 

 

 

I would be wary of Phillips branded Alkaline. I used to get them from Bunnings. They leak like hell and destroyed one of my torch light. I also got leaks from Sony branded battery which got expiry date like 2020 and they killed the TV remote. Sigh ...

The Varta from Bunnings are actually quite good with no leaks. Latest Energiser and Panasonic which are branded as leak resistance also seems to be OK.

timmmay:

 

@richms aren't alkaline and NiMH both around 1.2V most of the time? I know a fresh Alkaline might start at 1.5V, but that's only when it's very new.

 

What's the best type of battery for remotes? The old carbon zinc? I use eneloop in some of my remotes just fine.

 

I was going to say there isnt a rechargable alkaline battery - but you are right - there is/was and you are right the voltage doesnt start at 1.5v - so presumably it would suffer from that voltage drop - which is a problem for some devices. Can't say I have ever actually seen one for sale and it appears they have pretty much vanished from the market so I dont think you are too likely to find them.

I have bought those packs of AA and AAA Varta Alkaline batteries (not rechargable) from Bunnings - and they seem pretty good - also well sealed - so dont seem to leak.  

robjg63:

 

 

 

I was going to say there isnt a rechargable alkaline battery - but you are right - there is/was and you are right the voltage doesnt start at 1.5v - so presumably it would suffer from that voltage drop - which is a problem for some devices. Can't say I have ever actually seen one for sale and it appears they have pretty much vanished from the market so I dont think you are too likely to find them.

 

I have bought those packs of AA and AAA Varta Alkaline batteries (not rechargable) from Bunnings - and they seem pretty good - also well sealed - so dont seem to leak.  

 

I don't think I said rechargeable alkaline. I'm referring to disposable alkaline and rechargeable NiMH.