Rechargeable Batteries

[Turbo]

It used to be that a rechargeable battery was expensive, had a memory and died right when you needed it as the power dropped off almost with out warning , However these days there are many more options and markers are 10x more efficient on a battery.

The old nicad rechargeable was the only option back in the day and power delivery was full on until it ran flat and the power would go from full voltage to zero in a game , not good .

The new breed of NIMH recharge-ables has a power drop off like drycell batteries and a run time like an alkaline which makes them a good alternative .

1000 recharges and 80% of charge held for one year has me wondering how many of you use a NIMH rechargable currently? Our paint bio-degrades but batteries are something we should be thinking about a little more . If you could save buying 50 x 9v and 100 x AA UM3 batteries over the life of your gear would you give it a shot ?

There are solar powered chargers out there now that you can leave on the window sill for the week and have a free recharge too

http://www.oringmonkey.com/product_info.php?products_id=697 says Recharge lasts a bloody long time in loaders.

RC Car racing uses lipo and NIMH batteries for ultimate performance, they would laugh at the idea of alkaline to power electric motors so im interested to know some of the thoughts out there from a paintball perspective.

[Armagedonmad]

I use rechargables I have 4 sets so if something does go wrong I have back up. I use a fast charge too without a problem in the car on the way to the feild and at home. I give them the the two thumbs up vote and I save $$$

[staticman]

I used to use rechargables but have had them die way to often at vital moments to risk using them in my markers. I have used them in hoppers but again have been let down to often to go back.

[Turbo]

i hear you staticman, although the most common problem used to be the NIMH would self discharge over several months , the new breed of them dont , such as Sanyo/ENELOOP. Also NIMH have varying grades so if you go too cheap you get crap that has lower capacity / mAh and self discharge. The cream of the new batteries are what i am more looking at because they see to have removed the common issues i used to have like you. I am going to use the AA's at least but i cant find a 9V i like so far http://www.eneloop.info/home.html ... . if anyone knows of a 9V id be interested to know . BUT if you want to stick to alkaline batteries did you know about this ? http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MB3568

[suspect]

I use dse higher miliamp 9v and aa and have had no issues at all. Rotor rechargables are still on the first charge from at least 4 months ago and 9v hardly gets charged. I also find the dse ones workn just as good as the sony and energisers I use in my xbox controllers.

[staticman]

I have found that using good equipment also helps with the life expectancy of batts. A Rotor with 3 AAs will shoot a massive amount of paint before they die (50,000 rounds according to Dye Tho I take that with a grain of salt. Still even at 40,000 rounds thats 20 boxes of paint before 3 AAs fail). Also my Ego11 uses bugger all power. The batt level indicator is great. Lets me know how much juice is left. Saves replacing batts that still have power in them before an event "just in case".

[Turbo]

cheers guys, i think it will be the more quality dse 9V and some eneloops for me then ...

[NZPaintballer07]

Arent the best cheap batts the ones from Supercheap, MaxLife or something like that?

[Armagedonmad]

I will say again I use DSE recharable batteries without a problem

[Turbo]

sorry Steve i didnt see you mention any brand on your first post. The eneloops are magic AA ś and aaa ś too i have used them for many other devices particularly high draining and long life low power because they dont self drain. i had just not worked out a 9V solution and how people have found them for paintball applications but all good now :) DSE one seem like an excellent option too and ill take note of having spares as has been suggested .