[50G] Question

[Sukiari]

(04-08-2015 06:21 AM)Tugdual Wrote:  After less than a month, batteries of the 50g are already drained. Pretty shocking life cycle... So now I'm considering the use of rechargeable batteries. Providing that the standard voltage of commom batteries is 1.2V instead of 1.5V for chemical and providing that the 50g alarm raises @ 4.8V it doesn't seem realistic to use rechargeable batteries. Does anybody have an experience about that?

Not all NiMH batteries are the same. One thing you may wish to do is buy some low self discharge types (Tenergy and Eneloop are two popular choices) as a normal NiMH cell, even when new, will lose a third or more of its charge in a month. I have Eneloops in my 50g and they perform well. When it's time to charge them I power the 50g over USB, so I don't discharge the backup battery too heavily.

You must be careful with NiMH batteries - if you discharge them too deeply you will damage them. They do not have onboard protection to prevent this like some Li-Ion types - your device will typically run them "dry" or at least until the batteries are unable to supply adequate voltage to power your device - and perhaps even after that.

Regarding the difference between rechargeable and alkaline type batteries, you'll find that alkalines soon drop from 1.5v to 1.2 volts or so when power is being drawn from them. If you have a multimeter, try it yourself and see.