Energizer & Duracell NiMH BUSTED! (EEVblog #1200)

[BillW50]

Not many of us use NiMH cells in our mods (anymore?). But it is interesting that even Energizer & Duracell now engage in practices on the edge of shadiness. You pay extra money thinking you are buying a D cell. But in reality, you are really buying a C cell with a D size adapter.

 

[Anise]

It's a shame what companies will pull over on us in pursuit of the almighty dollar. I'll be reading the packaging on my batteries better from now on.

 

[dwcraig1]

C?, sub-C I thought

 

[DaveP]

Packaging to fit the application is OK as long as the MAH rating equals the labeling on the outside, IMO. Still, it's strange that they had to do that to provide the size and MAH rating. We are used to a cell being filled with electrolyte. I guess technology is providing efficient electrolyte materials that don't require filling the can to the top.

Lightweight cells remind me of the cheap cells that come included with some electronic devices. You know it's more air than electrolyte and it's not going to last much longer than the first test use.

 

[BillW50]

Packaging to fit the application is OK as long as the MAH rating equals the labeling on the outside, IMO. Still, it's strange that they had to do that to provide the size and MAH rating. We are used to a cell being filled with electrolyte. I guess technology is providing efficient electrolyte materials that don't require filling the can to the top.

Yeah but D cells generally cost double of what C cells cost. So why are people paying double? That seems really dishonest to me.

 

[bsidb]

Yeah but D cells generally cost double of what C cells cost. So why are people paying double? That seems really dishonest to me.

Paying for the technology I guess , if they can do a D "can" with the guts of a C,and get the same performance who really looses?

 

[bsidb]

i dont know the MAH of a "regular" D battery assuming its 2000mah

 

[BillW50]

Paying for the technology I guess , if they can do a D "can" with the guts of a C,and get the same performance who really looses?

But you pay more for the D size which is filled with air.

 

[BillW50]

i dont know the MAH of a "regular" D battery assuming its 2000mah

If they were filled like some off brands, they would be 10000mah or more.

 

[bsidb]

but the power is there...

 

[bsidb]

oh, 10,000 you say

 

[BillW50]

Yes!

 

[bsidb]

im goona need backup

 

[Ionori]

If they were filled like some off brands, they would be 10000mah or more.

I'll take a quad D cell mod, please and thank you.

 

[dwcraig1]

Typical alkaline D capacity is 12000-18000 mAh (18-27 Wh)....but don't run 'em too hard

 

[bsidb]

Typical alkaline D capacity is 12000-18000 mAh (18-27 Wh)....but don't run 'em too hard

ok now that I know this I agree, its a very crappy thing to do, and should be disclosed/ disseminated to everyone maybe even a boycott but retailers are in the Big battery club, otherwise, I'm sure we would have more choices than the Du and En

 

[zoiDman]

So.... Yemme see if I have got this Straight.

The guy with the Vid say he Believes that the Energizer and the Duracell has the mAh that the OEM's spec sheets states. And that Same mAh is Clearly printed on both the Packaging and on the Battery Wrap.

So where Exactly is the Problem?

 

[ENAUD]

So.... Yemme see if I have got this Straight.

The guy with the Vid say he Believes that the Energizer and the Duracell has the mAh that the OEM's spec sheets states. And that Same mAh is Clearly printed on both the Packaging and on the Battery Wrap.

So where Exactly is the Problem?

Exactly, and my thoughts on it are that they probably opted for a cell size that performs as needed and doesn't require an extremely long charge time, NIMH cells seem to do best with a gentle charge current in my experience, and I have driven devices with sub-c cell packs that were designed for D-cells and those packs worked wonderfully. An 8,000 MaH cell would need 160 hours or more to fully charge with a 50 Mah charger, 80 hours at 100 Mah charge rate. Folks more in the know could use a smart charger and a sled to up the current into the cells, but then you are balancing charge time vs wear and tear...and even though the modern cells hold charge better than just a few years ago, they all seem to loose some charge while sitting...so there's that aspect.

 

[puffon]

The bunny will not be happy...

 

[brad-man]

Yup. I haven't bought a C or D cell device in fifteen or twenty years. My world runs on AAA or AA Eneloops or it doesn't run at all (18650s notwithstanding). I have flashlights (torches) and radios that take eight AA cells...