How to Buy Rechargeable Batteries
Many people purchase rechargeable batteries without even thinking about the differences among each kinds of batteries. However, each kind of batteries has its own advantages as well as disadvantages and therefore a particular type may be more useful in certain situations than others. Here are some guidelines on how to buy rechargeable batteries so that you get the best bang for your buck.
The first thing that you need to know in how to buy rechargeable batteries is the different kinds of rechargeable batteries. There are three main types of off-the-shelf rechargeable batteries: nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, and rechargeable alkaline manganese batteries. A nickel metal hydride battery is the most costly of the three but it also has the largest energy capacity.
The nickel cadmium battery is the middle ground between nickel metal hydride and rechargeable alkaline manganese. It has an adequate energy capacity but it is not as high as those of nickel metal hydrides and it can be unstable depending on the temperature. The rechargeable alkaline manganese battery is the cheapest of the three but it also has the lowest energy capacity and it can only last a few charge/discharge cycles.
The next thing that you have to understand on how to buy rechargeable batteries is type of device that where you are going to attach the batteries. Fast-draining gadgets especially those that have LCD screens like digital cameras and mp3 players can take advantage of nickel metal hydride’s high energy capacity. Meanwhile those devices that still require a moderate power such as battery-powered toys, portable radios, or wireless mouse are better off with the cheaper nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries. Devices that do not use too much energy or those that are not often used such as flashlights and remote controls can manage on rechargeable alkaline batteries.
The last thing that you have to take into account in how to buy rechargeable batteries is the estimated frequency of usage of the device where you intend to use the batteries. This is due to the fact that different kinds of batteries have various self-discharge rates. Nickel metal hydride batteries self-discharge at the fastest rate at 30% per month even when not contained within a device. The second highest is the nickel cadmium batteries at 10% per month. Rechargeable alkaline manganese batteries meanwhile can store their charge for years.