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#283339 - 01/14/17 05:29 PM Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I mentioned in another thread that rechargeable batteries cost less in the long run, compared to alkaline batts. I sharpened my pencil and tried to figure out the difference. Result.s are startling.

I recently bought eneloop rechargs for a dollar apiece. looking on Amazon, alkies can be had for 65 cents apiece. Rechargs are rated for 1000 cycles, but lets be conservative and say they will give 500 cycles, allowing for loss, etc. Buy a good charged for $40.

For 500 cycles you will pay $41 dollars, plus tax and shipping.

The equivalent in alkys will cost you $325 (500x0.65), a significant difference.

There are a few other costs not considered - the coast of the electricity put into the batteries, the somewhat shorter useful cycle of rechargs, and the cost of replacing equipment probably (hell, certainly) damaged by leaking alkies.

Comments?? Questions??
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#283345 - 01/15/17 03:04 AM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: hikermor]
Quietly_Learning Offline
Member

Registered: 05/29/12
Posts: 164
Originally Posted By: hikermor
...For 500 cycles you will pay $41 dollars, plus tax and shipping.

The equivalent in alkys will cost you $325 (500x0.65), a significant difference.

There are a few other costs not considered - the coast of the electricity put into the batteries, the somewhat shorter useful cycle of rechargs, and the cost of replacing equipment probably (hell, certainly) damaged by leaking alkies.


Great info, thanks Hikemor.

Your last line is the most important reason I use Eneloops, (and a few lithiums).

I have had numerous devices ruined by leaking alkaline batteries before I made the switch. All the alkalines that leaked were well within their expiration dates and kept within operating temperatures. Pricewise, replacing 1 ruined headlamp was more than 2 sets of Eneloops at Costco

The other reasons I use Eneloops are:
*I have to store far fewer batteries
*They are much cheaper in the long run
*They hold a charge for a long time
*With the addition of a solar charger I basically have an unlimited supply of energy.


To give an idea of storage needs I did some calculations:
(All numbers approximate based on 0.57"D AA and 0.41"D AAA)

100 AA alkaline batteries = 5 lbs, 2.25" wide x 14.25" long x 2.0" high (4 rows of 25 batteries)

100 AAA alkaline batteries = 2.5 lbs, 1.75" wide 10.25" long x 1.75" high (4 rows of 25 batteries)

16 AA & 16 AAA Eneloop batteries = 1.2 lbs, 2.25" wide x 3.75" long x 2.0" high (4 rows of 4AA+4AAA)

1 Eneloop AA/AAA charger = 3.4oz, 2.25" wide x 4.5" long x 2.0" high

As listed above I find it much easier, less worrisome, and cheaper, (as Hikemor's numbers show), to store rechargeables.

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#283362 - 01/15/17 09:06 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: Quietly_Learning]
LesSnyder Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 07/11/10
Posts: 1680
Loc: New Port Richey, Fla
+1 to reduce damage by leaking alkalines...

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#283365 - 01/16/17 01:24 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: LesSnyder]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: LesSnyder
+1 to reduce damage by leaking alkalines...


This alone makes me want to upgrade all the batteries in my life! Thanks gang!
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#283366 - 01/16/17 01:38 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: hikermor]
Tjin Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
More environment friendly does it for me. I just hate the idea of disposable things. Ok, will make a exception for TP.
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#283368 - 01/16/17 02:00 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: Tjin]
Jeanette_Isabelle Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 2946
Loc: Nacogdoches, Texas
Originally Posted By: Tjin
I just hate the idea of disposable things. Ok, will make a exception for TP.

I would also make an exception for feminine hygiene products.

Jeanette Isabelle
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#283369 - 01/16/17 02:24 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: Jeanette_Isabelle]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: Jeanette_Isabelle
Originally Posted By: Tjin
I just hate the idea of disposable things. Ok, will make a exception for TP.

I would also make an exception for feminine hygiene products.

Jeanette Isabelle


I totally agree, Jeanette Isabelle!
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#283377 - 01/16/17 05:14 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: hikermor]
bws48 Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 831
Loc: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
I used to travel a lot more than I do now, and used AA alkaline batteries for the SW radio. One thing for AA alkalines, you can find them for sale everywhere. Just swap in the new ones and you are ready to go. Somehow, this fact should be part of their value in any consideration.
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#283379 - 01/16/17 06:02 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: bws48]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
If I am near a store, I am near an electrical outlet. If I am in a vehicle, my charger runs off 12V. I can easily platoon sets of batteries in and out of the charger and equipment.

Ideally, my headlamp and GPS, etc., will use the same type of battery, offering further options, if necessary.
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#283381 - 01/16/17 07:46 PM Re: Cost of rechqrgeable baatteries vs. alkalines [Re: hikermor]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
My larger Garmin GPS MAP 60 CSx is the one that cannot use lithium primary batteries. This served as motivation for me to invest in Eneloop AA batteries and it's been a good move. I have lithium primary batteries in seldom used but important pieces that are stored in kits. My motivation wasn't so much the environmental concerns but the number of flashlights and other gear wrecked by alkaline batteries.

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