Comments regarding Batteryspace.com

[gedman]

I just posted a deal in the Hot Deals forum for rechargable batteries from Batteryspace.com I'd thought I'd follow-up with some comments about Batteryspace.com.

I have bought their NiMH AA batteries and their NiMH AAA batteries several times in the past. Their prices are great (especially when they have some bulk-pack deals), and their shipping is fast. Their site has a forum where you can find out more than you ever cared to know about rechargable batteries :roll:

One time, I ordered a bulk pack that included some 2000 mAh AA batteries. Then the package arrived, the 2000 mAh batteries had been upgraded to 2300 mAh for free! I called them to let them know about their mistake, and they told me that they must have been temporarily out of stock of the 2000 mAh, so they shipped me the better product rather than wait until they got more 2000 mAh in stock. Nice.

I use their batteries in my digital camera and mp3 player. However, the most use I get out of them is for the dozens of kids toys that eat batteries really fast. I pop the NiMH batteries in the charger and use them over and over again. The batteries have really long life and recharge well if you use a good charger (be sure to get a good charger!). I used to burn through regular duracell batteries in about 2 hours in a portable CD player. I get way more time when I am using Batterypace's Powerizer 2300 mAh batteries. Of course, rechargables cost much more than regular disposable batteries, but you can reuse them so many times that it is well worth the money.

One warning: the 2000mAh (and higher) AA batteries from Batteryspace have a lot more power in them than a standard AA battery that you might buy at a drugstore (duracell, etc). If they are not handled correctly, they can start a fire. Be sure to keep the charged batteries in the plastic cases that usually come for free with the batteries. I let my son use to of the 2300 mAh batteries to power a mini motor that be built for a science experiement. The motor started to smoke and the batteries got REALLY hot.

If you visit their website, don't be surprised by the stuff that they sell. Most consumers just need some basic batteries for electronics. Batteryspace has loads of other batteries for more specialzed needs. I don't know for sure what all those other batteries are used for, but I believe that it is for stuff like RC cars and aircraft, paintball guns, etc.

The bottom line about Batteryspace.com is that they have great prices, fast shipping and good products. Anyone who frequents forums for digital photography professionals or technology consumers has seen references to Batteryspace on many other websites.

My only complaint is that NiMH batteries do not have a very long useful life (supposedly 1 year, but I have been using some for much longer). This is a problem with most NiMH batteries, and not Batterspace's products in particular.

Anyhow, there is my 2 cents.

GedMan

[Fair disclosure: Batterspace is giving me some free stuff for writing this review, even if the review says bad stuff about them.]

 

[acemcmac]

cool deal. I'll have to check them out.

I hope you dont get in trouble for posting this....

 

[Sphexi]

I don't see the point of this post, especially in OT?

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Sphexi
I don't see the point of this post, especially in OT?

I eat batteries.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Originally posted by: gedman
[Fair disclosure: Batterspace is giving me some free stuff for writing this review, even if the review says bad stuff about them.]

Is this a parody thread of the viral marketing thing?

 

[sharkeeper]

I hate batteries. Really I do.

They are unfortunately at this moment a necessary evil like hazard insurance.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: Agnostos Insania

Originally posted by: gedman
[Fair disclosure: Batterspace is giving me some free stuff for writing this review, even if the review says bad stuff about them.]

Is this a parody thread of the viral marketing thing?

That'd explain it then, I haven't been paying attention so I missed that one

 

[MWink]

One warning: the 2000mAh (and higher) AA batteries from Batteryspace have a lot more power in them than a standard AA battery that you might buy at a drugstore (duracell, etc). If they are not handled correctly, they can start a fire. Be sure to keep the charged batteries in the plastic cases that usually come for free with the batteries. I let my son use to of the 2300 mAh batteries to power a mini motor that be built for a science experiement. The motor started to smoke and the batteries got REALLY hot.

It's not that they have "more power in them," it's the fact that NIMH (as well as NICD) batteries have much a lower internal resistance which means they can put out a lot more current than alkalines. This is exactly why rechargeables work better in digital cameras. Also it has nothing to do with them being 2000mAH, I used to build little projects many years ago, like your son, and I shocked the **** out of myself with a couple AA NICD's. But yes I would not recommend you use them with experiments like that as it can be more dangerous if they short out compared to alkalines.

BTW about the lifespan of NIMH's, I've found that the higher rated (capacity) ones tend to have the shortest useful lifespan. My very first NIMH batteries (Energizer 1200's) still hold a good charge (~1000mAH) (though they do self discharge quite fast) and they are over 5 years old. I have some of the early 2100's that within a year wouldn't even hold as much as an ancient NICD AA (<400mAH). I've found that buying the lower rated batteries tend to have a longer useful life and they really don't have as big a capacity difference as the companies claim. Today's NIMH's claim to be 2500mAH, yet according to my battery analyzer they're barely over 2000mAH.

 

[ApacheXMD]

another thing about higher mah batteries is that they're PHYSICALLY larger than alkalines and lower capacity Ni-MH cells. This might prove to be a problem when using them in certain products. I've had a few 2250mah cells scrape against the sides of battery holders because they're just too big. The plastic heat shrink around the cells scrape, and start to come off, and there it presents more of a shorting hazard.

-patchy

 

[Ornery]

I've purchased dozens of batteries from BatterySpace and never had a problem. Don't forget to use Coupon Code: "batteryspace" to get 5% off your order.

My last battery purchase was for a charger to replace the BatterySpace unit included in a bundle. That one was working fine, but I sent it off to school with my son, and needed a replacement. The LA CROSSE BC-900 is very expensive, but really gives you total control over the charging process, and can recondition older batteries.

 

[shilala]

*cough*
spam
*cough*

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I've purchased dozens of batteries from BatterySpace and never had a problem. Don't forget to use Coupon Code: "batteryspace" to get 5% off your order.

My last battery purchase was for a charger to replace the BatterySpace unit included in a bundle. That one was working fine, but I sent it off to school with my son, and needed a replacement. The LA CROSSE BC-900 is very expensive, but really gives you total control over the charging process, and can recondition older batteries.

Looks like a nice charger. Do you find that discharging NiMH batteries before recharging them extends their lifespan?

 

[Ornery]

I didn't even know NiMH batteries had a "shorter" life. As far as I know, their capacity just drops over time... a long time. I've brought a few back up to better capacity using the reconditioning feature. An old 2000mAh battery that can be brought back to 1700mAh is still a useful battery IMO.