Why NOT rechargable instead of alkaline

[plantluvver]

Hi,

This looks like a great board, and I hope I don't get flamed for asking, cuz it's not remote living, but I know that it is a sustainability issue.  I recently bought a Nintendo Gameboy Advance at a garage sale.  The instructions specify not ti use NiCad or NiMH batteries, and imply there is a safety issue, and that they will leak.  I couldn't find a reference to a problem caused by substituting batteries.

I have e-mailed Nintendo, but I am not sure if I will get an explanation.  

I realize that this is not an appropriate use of techology, but, I feel that at least I am not creating demand for new stuff, and it looked like fun.  I trust that you folks will have an interest in steering me towards reusable batteries.  Why would they say such a thing if it is not true?

Mary

PS Someday I hope to live on a sailboat, and do international cruising, so I do want to  learn more about electricity.

[ghurd]

Lots of people do it.  No problem.

Didn't they make their own rechargable just for that?  Strange, don't you think?

Go with NiMH, worth the extra few cents.

G-

[willib]

who knows why they would say that , maybe they have an economic interest in duracell or eveready

[dinges]

Actually, there are a few reasons for using non-rechargeable batteries (but none that I can think of why you shouldn't use them for your gameboy...)

1. much higher capacity of Alkaline batteries than rechargeables.
   
2. much longer shelf life of Alkalines (10+ years); rechargeables tend to self-discharge, even when not used. NiMH are especially bad, they discharge at 1-2%/day.
   
3. higher voltage of non-rechargeables (about 1.5-1.6V when fresh)
   
4. lower price of non-rechargeables.
   
   

and probably a few more reasons I can't think of.

I like alkalines for several applications, like torches, that are used only very infrequently but absolutely certainly have to work when I need them. I've found NiCds always to be empty when I needed them. I can put alkalines in a torch and not worry about it for a few years. No leaks (AFAIK, alkalines don't leak; and, AFAIK, no battery that's full leaks; only discharged ones).

IMHO, there are no reasons for using non-alkaline batteries. It's either alkaline or rechargeable (pref. NiCd when self-discharge is an issue; NiMH when higher capacity is needed) for me.

BTW, us folks don't have an interest in anything. It's the manufacturers and special-interest groups that you've got to be careful of. In here you'll find lots of information, usually non-biased. Also, you will find a lot of conflicting information. Thinking is required, as always.

[powerbuoy]

Mary ... if you want your question to survive on this board, then you'll have to rephrase your question ...

How about that: "I recently installed a solar panel and was ready to fire my installation up. Suddenly, huge clouds appeared and it started raining cats and dogs. I decided to sit it out and grabbed my Nintendo. Unfortunately it's batteries (Duracell) had died and the only spare ones I could find were located in this cheap chinese charge controller that was connected to the solar panel. I grabbed the rechargables but was surprised to read a warning by Nintedo, urging me to not use these in my gaming machine. Why was this warning issued? Could my charge controller also be negatively affected by these rechargables?"

:-))) You have to forgive me ... just having a good time.

Powerbuoy

[Flux]

I have no idea what nintendo requirements are, but in some cases the low voltage and capacity of Nicads makes them a poor substitute for alkalines. They are virtually useless in radio mics and some similar applications and don't do too well in cameras that used the old alkaline types.

For most less fussy jobs they are fine.

Flux

[powerbuoy]

Also, there is a couple groups out there debating the same issue:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/archive/index.php/t-103719.html

http://www.rage3d.com/board/archive/index.php?t-23470.html

[henjulfox]

Mary,

My kids Gameboy has only seen NIMH batteries. I didn't read the manual so didn't know they wern't allowed. They don't last as long as alkaline so he keeps a spare set in the carry bag - couple sets for long road trips.

-Henry

[AbyssUnderground]

From other gadgets manuals that Ive read its because rechargables are capable of much much higher currents than alkalines. If something were to go wrong that current could destroy components inside the unit. If it were alkalines the current would be less possibly saving those components thus saving your gadget. Ive always used rechargables and not had an issue but these are the warnings they give and its simply the higher current thats their excuse.

[dinges]

This is only valid for NiCds. NiMHs have much higher internal resistance and can't deliver as great short-circuit currents as NiCds can. That's also what makes NiMHs less suitable for certain tasks (like powering a Handy-talkie). With the upcoming banning of NiCds (just a matter of time, it's already hard to find NiCds now), this may become an issue for certain applications...

[AbyssUnderground]

My handheld HAM radio uses a NiMH battery pack and works great. True it only puts out 5w of power but it still uses them. :-)

[dinges]

I doubt it puts out its rated power with NiMHs. I'd measure it with a power meter, if you haven't done that yet.

My handy-talkie (Standard C500) only puts out 60% of its power with the NiMHs that are in it now. Good enough for me. With NiCds is a bit better, not much. 2.8W real output (actually measured) on VHF, as opposed to the rated 5W (actually, rated at 5.4W).

The Icom Q-7 puts out 230mW on VHF, as opposed to its claimed 300mW (VHF).

Not that the difference in power is relevant for actual use.

[AbyssUnderground]

I have put a power meter to it and its about 4.9w which means my meter is probably a little out.

[elvin1949]

Morning

 I had to build an external battery pack for my

digital camera [old kodak 640] to use ni-cad's.

 It takes 5 ni-cad's to get the same voltage as 4

alkaline batteries.

later

elvin

[coldspot]

Mary-

It's pretty simple really-

"Why NOT rechargable instead of alkaline"

alkaline battery = 1.5 VDC each

rechargable Batt = 1.2 VDC each(NiCads mainly some newer are better but less still)

For example

I have a CB Radio that takes 8 AA alkaline and a dummy 2 pak,(To be able to have

them all reach the conections),

Or it takes 10 AA NiCads leaving the dummy pak out.

So eight times 1.5 = 12

And ten times  1.2 = 12

Thats

just my

$0.02

[dinges]

correction: the difference in power is IRRELEVANT for actual use.