Top products from r/AAMasterRace

> Just wanted to check in to see if that wall charger (Panasonic K-KJ17MCA4BA) on Amazon is still the best wall charger.

Yes.

> I've been reading up on the subreddit the past few days and it seems like if I want to make the jump to the eneloops, I should be buying 2 of those wall charger packs (8 batteries, 2 chargers) for ~$35 on Amazon.

That's what I did.

> On the amazon page you linked, there are "quick chargers" and "standard chargers." Did you pick the standard chargers over the "fast charger" on purpose?

Yes.

> I think I have read for phones that not enabling "fast charging" helps the battery life over the lifetime of the phone. I'm not sure if that's kind of the same idea.

You are correct, it is the same kind of idea. Fast charging shortens the life of the cells. I don't know how much, and I suspect not a lot for the Eneloop charger, but I have enough spares I don't need fast charging. However, too slow charging is a problem for NiMH cells because charge termination requires detecting a temperature change. If the charging is too slow, the temperature doesn't change fast enough, and the cell gets fiercely damaged by overcharging. The standard Eneloop charger is the perfect balance of slowest-but-not-too-slow charging.

> Is that same amazon page you linked for the charging pack the best place to get the larger battery-only packs for AA and AAA? In other words, 12/16/24 packs? Also, is there any way to ensure you are getting the 2019 - 2020 battery packs (from the "eneloop 101" link)

Yes. You can save a little money on taxes if you buy from B&H out-of-state, but they don't package the cells safely despite using more padding than necessary. The first shipment I received was pretty rough, and may have damaged some cells. I told them about the problem, and they sent a second package the exact same way, and they arrived in the same banged-up condition. They just drop the battery package loose in a large padded envelope, and then it flies around in there like a bullet the whole way to the destination. It's better to buy from Amazon, in my opinion, and pay the tax to be sure you get batteries that will last 10 years like they're supposed to, without any dents. However, here's the B&H ones if you're curious:

• Panasonic Eneloop Rechargeable AA Ni-MH Batteries K-KJ17MCA4BA - B&H
  
  > I bought one of these eneloop pros from amazon about two years ago. I had to throw away one of the batteries because the charger stopped charging it, but other than that, they are still fine. I do remember reading one of your posts saying that some wall charger discharges the batteries a certain amount per hour they are left in it (i.e. remove the batteries as soon as you see they are done charging). Do you know if the eneloop chargers are smart enough to leave charging all night without them discharging?
  
  The chargers are smart enough to charge overnight unattended, with no issues under normal circumstances. This problem only happens if the charger is unplugged from power. If it's plugged in, it does not discharge the cells, so there's no rush to take them out. If the power goes out, then they will discharge. If the power flickers, the charger will reset and attempt to charge full cells, resulting in overcharge. So, you should not store the batteries in the charger. You need to remove them whenever it is convenient, after charging is complete.
  
  
• HKJ Review of Charger Panasonic BQ-CC17 - lygte-info.dk
  
  > I believe you also recommended battery caddies - this is the most popular one on Amazon currently but I don't know if it matters - I'm guessing the only reason is to have the batteries spaced out
  
  I don't like that style because the cells are exposed, so it doesn't protect them from abrasion and dents. The steel case of the batteries is electrically active, so abrasion on the wrapping (label) exposes active electrical connections that could result in short circuits and fires. I honestly don't know why people like that product. It looks nice, but it doesn't do anything.
  
  You can use a cheap ziploc-style plastic bag to store them until you get a proper AA battery case. You can find AA battery cases here:
  
  
• AmazonSmile: Search for AA battery case
  
  I like the glow in the dark ones that can snap together to make small or large battery holders. The ones I bought look like these:
  
  
• AmazonSmile: Pack of 10 PCS Clear Luminous Glow in Dark 4 Cell AA/AAA Battery Case/Holder: Gateway
  
• AmazonSmile: Pack of 9 PCS Clear Luminous Glow in Dark 4 Cell AA/AAA Battery Case/Holder: Gateway
  
  I snap those together 2 or 3 long, and then I put them in the plastic bags to give them some water resistance and keep dust and bugs out. When Eneloop batteries can be safely stored for 10 years, a lot of unexpected things can happen during that time that might go unnoticed until years later when you try to use a battery. A leaking roof or spilled liquid is not as much of a problem if the AA battery cases are sealed in bags.
  
  > I don't know if I need adapters for D cells...
  
  I got some just in case I need them, mostly to experiment with. I haven't needed them yet, but I'm hoping to use them when I get a big 6 D Maglite like this one:
  
  
• AmazonSmile: Maglite Heavy-Duty Incandescent 6-Cell D Flashlight, Black - S6D016 - Basic Handheld Flashlights - AmazonSmile
  
• LED upgrades for Maglite! - Adventure Sport Flashlights
  
• LED Upgrades for Maglite (Top 5 Best) - YouTube
  
  No other handheld light on the market has as much run time as a 6 D Maglite, with the flexibility to use nearly any cylindrical cell, including AA batteries. You can fit 18 AA batteries in a 6 D Maglite. With the LED upgrades, it will give you normal levels of light during an extended power outage, which will greatly help to reduce your family's anxiety during had times.
  
  > What is the best option for 9V batteries? Is it the energizer lithium?
  
  I avoid 9 volt batteries like the plague. They're a fire hazard, they're expensive, they're inefficient.
  
  
• 9 volt batteries for smoke alarms are a fire hazard, AA battery smoke alarms are safer : r/AAMasterRace
  
• Energy Density of 9V battery vs. AA batteries - Which is better, one 9V or one AA battery? - Bald Engineer : r/AAMasterRace
  
  > How about button cells like the CR2032 (car key batteries, tile pro batteries, etc.)? Thank you.
  
  It's hard to avoid those for very small devices, but it might be possible to replace a few devices with AA or AAA battery equivalents. There are a lot of good brands for CR2032's, including Energizer.
  
  You might want to copy your comment as a regular post where it will be more visible, and get more opinions.

Just wanted to check in to see if that wall charger (Panasonic K-KJ17MCA4BA) on Amazon is still the best wall charger. I've been reading up on the subreddit the past few days and it seems like if I want to make the jump to the eneloops, I should be buying 2 of those wall charger packs (8 batteries, 2 chargers) for ~$35 on Amazon. On the amazon page you linked, there are "quick chargers" and "standard chargers." Did you pick the standard chargers over the "fast charger" on purpose? I think I have read for phones that not enabling "fast charging" helps the battery life over the lifetime of the phone. I'm not sure if that's kind of the same idea.

Is that same amazon page you linked for the charging pack the best place to get the larger battery-only packs for AA and AAA? In other words, 12/16/24 packs? Also, is there any way to ensure you are getting the 2019 - 2020 battery packs (from the "eneloop 101" link)

I bought one of these eneloop pros from amazon about two years ago. I had to throw away one of the batteries because the charger stopped charging it, but other than that, they are still fine. I do remember reading one of your posts saying that some wall charger discharges the batteries a certain amount per hour they are left in it (i.e. remove the batteries as soon as you see they are done charging). Do you know if the eneloop chargers are smart enough to leave charging all night without them discharging?

I believe you also recommended battery caddies - this is the most popular one on Amazon currently but I don't know if it matters - I'm guessing the only reason is to have the batteries spaced out

I don't know if I need adapters for D cells... What is the best option for 9V batteries? Is it the energizer lithium? How about button cells like the CR2032 (car key batteries, tile pro batteries, etc.)? Thank you.

They don't throw off a ton a light but definitely light your way.

Completely different, but a friend gave me one of these during a power out and it was super practical when you need a lot more light. The magnet part was very useful for hands free:

Evelots Compact Flashlight, Swivel Hook, Magnet Back W/ 27 LED Lights
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NABPYDY/

The ones he had were yellow and he got them from a Harbor Freight store so they might even be cheaper there.

(sorry, I don't think they're AA, haha, but still cool for price)

Cellphones that run off AA batteries exist, but they are hard to find:

https://newatlas.com/spareone-aa-battery-phone/21134/

https://www.instructables.com/id/AA-Battery-Powered-Cell-Phone/

It would be neat if someone made an AA powered smartphone. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 15.04Wh battery while each Eneloop Pro is 3Wh. If someone managed to retrofit 8 of them onto the iPhone 11 Pro Max, it would have 60% longer battery life.

That said, I am surprised that Duracell and Energizer do not make Android phones that take AA batteries. You would think that they would want people to be using more of them. Rayovac at least makes an AA powered charger:

https://www.amazon.com/Rayovac-Portable-Batteries-Included-PS73-4BC/dp/B07GJZJB8P

Very nice. If I'm correct that is the Range Kleen Battery Rack. How do you like it?

Also for the C/D size rechargeables, you might consider 3AA to D and 4AAA to C adapters. For big devices like camping lanterns, that will give you a lot more battery life than 1AA-to-D or 1AA-to-C adapters.

Yeah! They're called "Power Towers". The AAA one is a little fiddly to load, but they're a fun alternative to plain boxes.

>They're made in Japan

And they're not even anymore. They are now made in China.

https://smile.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Rechargeable-Batteries-8-Pack-Pre-charged/dp/B00CWNMV4G/

>Pack of 8 AA rechargeable batteries

>1,000 recharge cycles

>Capacity: 2000mAh (milliamp-hour) Minimum 1900mAh

>Pre-Charged using Solar Energy

>Made in China

Additionally, there are comments in the latest reviews for the high capacity AmazonBasics rechargeable AAs that state they are now also made in China.

I have not found much useful information yet. I'm really tempted to buy a battery analyzer like this and do my own tests.

I have seen the Optimums show up at my local Walmart, but I was sad to see they are charging over a dollar per cell even for the 12 pack. At that price I would rather just buy Energizer Ultimate Lithiums. $1+ per cell is a crazy price point for Alkaline chemistry batteries in my opinion.

Since so little data is available yet even from duracell, it actually made me wonder if they are just trying to confuse the average customer that wants the best cell at any price point into buying their alkalines instead of primary lithium.

This is pretty ridiculous looking and not AA, but maybe someone with more knowledge than me could make it work with AA batteries. I just remembered reading how to turn your QC25 headphones into Bluetooth headphones when phones started dropping the headphone jack. This adapter was in the article I read at the time but it's got a built-in battery.

Eneloop Spacers 4 C Size Spacers & 4 D Size Spacers for Use with Ni-MH Rechargeable AA Battery Cells & Case Pack of 8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WF0V3YU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_D8LmDb21M6SJC