Cheap alternative to Energizer (single use only pls)?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Cheap alternative to Energizer (single use only pls)?

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#1460030 2-Jan-2016 00:54

ubergeeknz:
mattwnz: Which ones are the best for not leaking? It doesn't seem to matter how much money is spent on them, some leak and some don't. It is incredibly annoying when you open up the battery compartment and it has leaked. I found it was more common with the old transonic ones from the warehouse, but even premium brands I have found occasionally leak.

IME they leak when they are left flat, if you remove them as soon as they are run down or if you are going to put the toy away for any length of time, I have found this avoids any leaking problems

FWIW I bought a whole lot of Sonixcells from the warehouse, haven't had any leak, and they seem pretty good considering how cheap they were.

Sometimes yeah I would agree. But I tend to use disposable AA's in remotes, where the batteries usually last a few years at least. Often well before they have gone flat and well before the expiry date stamped on them, one will leak for no reason. Some also swell up and split, while some just leak out the end. Maybe it is because remotes a very low load, but some of these batteries can have a 3-5 year shelf life stamped on the side.

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richms

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#1460031 2-Jan-2016 01:07

Ive found that the remotes that take 4 cells are terrible for doing that since they can all be basically dead and it will still "work" somewhat. When you find you are starting to have to aim the remote square at the device like you are going for a headshot, its time for a cell replacement.

Richard rich.ms

MikeB4

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#1460049 2-Jan-2016 08:07

For remotes etc I use packs from Noel lemmings, they are always on special, also use these in my Apple mouse as it eats batteries in no time.
For stuff needing more I use energizer, I have found it to be a false economy to use the cheaper ones.

tehgerbil

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#1460178 2-Jan-2016 13:17

Batman

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#1460191 2-Jan-2016 13:52

Wow sonixcell = energizer for 1/4 of the price? Wow I'm going to the warehouse ....

networkn

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#1460215 2-Jan-2016 15:27

tehgerbil:

You should be very careful posting content otherwise only available to subscribers behind a paywall. Unsure if consumer would appreciate it.

Peppery

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#1460243 2-Jan-2016 16:26

I usually grab Sony AA batteries from PBTech when they run low. They're cheap & work well.

tehgerbil

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#1460310 2-Jan-2016 19:17

Good call Networkn, removed it. Sorry guys.

stevedg

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#1460487 3-Jan-2016 08:41

Having a more cost competitive battery is certainly a consideration. However they don't mention their susceptibility to leaking and destroying the device they are in. Some of the kids toys don't get played with for a month or so and if the batteries have not been removed I occasionally I find a corroded one - that doesn't seem to happen with 'Energizer' as much in my experience but appears common in some of the other cheaper brands(?).

Anyone have any views on this?

richms

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#1460630 3-Jan-2016 15:37

Use rechargables then, they never seem to cause damage from a leak even when left flat for ages. Sometimes a little insignifigant amout of stuff comes out the top, but not really liquidy and it doesnt run into the device.

Richard rich.ms

1eStar

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#1460838 3-Jan-2016 22:16

Ultimate lithium and super glue the battery door shut.

Rikkitic

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#1461020 4-Jan-2016 13:49

I just got back from the mountains where I have been out of communications range. When I got there I soon discovered the Sonix batteries I bought were absolutely useless. They were lasting about 10 minutes in my camera, or after only a dozen snaps or so (without flash). So far this has been the pattern with the first six batteries I have tried, so I don't expect much better from the rest. I don't know if this is specific to these batteries, which I bought on Trade Me, but I apologize to any who bought them on my recommendation. I just got back and this has been my first opportunity to report on my experience.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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#1461043 4-Jan-2016 15:01

I haven't bought any sonix. I guess it is probably sample variation. Heavily biased towards poor performance I'd say ...

RUKI

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#1461470 5-Jan-2016 11:21

I found locally purchased dry batteries being made in China and not lasting long enough.

If anyone (e.g. educational facility, university or just private curious person) would like to run a comparative scientific test - I will be more than happy to volunteer with my 14-20-Channel Battery Capacity Analyser(s)

www.hybrids.co.nz

You supply me with up to 20 batteries of the same voltage and form-factor - whether they are 1.5 (AA or AAA) or 9V does not matter:

I can put them all simultaneously under the same load (can use electronic load) and record "Video of the Race" seeing live which one comes (drains) first.
At the end of the test we will have a comparative graphs/bars of all batteries - voltage and capacity measurements.

We can even make a fun out of it by you putting bids ($1) of which battery comes (drains) first - suggest the winning pool of money goes to the person supplying the batteries and the winner who made the right prediction gets the "wizard" title...

=====

What I am doing when I am in need of the battery for whatever purpose:
- Use of 18650 Li-Ion batteries (have plenty) as a source
- Use DC-DC small form factor step down converters from car chargers (same schematics is used everywhere) which I modify myself (e.g. 3, 5, 4.5, 7,2, 6, 9, 12 V is easy)
- use Velcro self-adhesive to attach battery to device if that can't be inserted inside

e.g. during this Christmas break - I have modified Dolphin Flashlight - converted it into 3-in-1 device by doing this:

- inserted 10 batteries 5P2S x 18650 Li-Ion inside - making it 7.2 10 AH power bank to power my 7.2V cordless drill
- inserted 7805 IC (rated at about 1.5A) with couple of caps and aluminium heat sink inside to convert 7.2 into 5V to power the light bulb (4.8V 0.78A) and 2xUSB sockets
- inserted small power switch and double USB front plug from the old PC for cell phone charging
- inserted temperature sensor and took wires with plugs out for Li-Ion battery balance charging by one of my Li-ion chargers

All above actually was 1/2 day fun creation.

Note: Modification of car charger into any DC voltage takes about 10 minutes...
78XX IC are fixed voltage regulators - can be found in many Telco/IT equipment – the one for this project came from some old network adapter..

networkn

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#1461490 5-Jan-2016 11:40

tehgerbil: Good call Networkn, removed it. Sorry guys.

No worries, I wasn't scolding you :)

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