Sunday makeovers: recharging alkaline batteries

Every Sunday, help me turn fugly old stuff into stylish green stuff. Or at least try to.

From both an environmental and economic standpoint, opting for rechargeable batteries makes a lot of sense: long-lasting products that mean less trash and less hassle over time, especially because throwing batteries into the black bin is illegal now. Recently, though, I found out about Battery Xtender (right), a gadget that recharges alkaline batteries. Which left me wondering: Why would one buy alkaline batteries and to recharge them, as opposed to simply buying rechargeable batteries?

Granted, rechargeable batteries are more expensive than alkaline ones. A four-pack of Duracell AA rechargeable batteries runs $12.79 at Staples.com, compared with just $4.79. Still, that means that a mere three recharges will make up for the extra initial investment in rechargeables.

And even if one invests $39.99 to buy a Battery Xtender, recharging alkaline batteries appears to be a tricky task. Commenters at Make Blog, for example, note that you have to remember to recharge the batteries BEFORE they run out or the process won't work, and that only a small number of recharges are possible per battery. More scary is the potential that recharging alkaline batteries can cause an explosion, though Battery Xtender says it has resolved that issue.

In contrast, my Duracell AA/AAA 15-Minute Charger Kit (left) -- currently $45.99 at Staples including a four-pack of rechargeable batteries -- recharges my NiMH batteries in, that's right, 15 minutes. I can use up all the juice in the batteries before recharging them, and I don't have to fear explosions.

Basically, I'm wondering why someone might buy alkaline batteries and a Battery Xtender as opposed to NiMH batteries and a corresponding charger. Is there a key issue that I'm missing here? Or are Battery Xtender type gadgets a bit of an anachronism, sort of like pagers? I do still have a couple of alkaline batteries making my clocks tick -- they really have lasted a long time! -- and will consider getting a Battery Xtender if there's a convincing reason to do so.

Comments

[Jeremy Miles]

The one problem with standard rechargeables is they lose power over time. In a low drain appliance (like a clock, or an LED bike light) they run out of oomph, before they should. However, the Eneloop batteries, made by Sanyo have (in some way that I don't understand) solved this problem - they don't lose their charge, and they are charged and ready to use when you get them - I buy them from Amazon, it's currently about $15 for an 8-pack of AAs.

The other thing it's worth getting (again, IMHO) is a good battery charger. I use a Maha MH-C801D. Charging NiMH batteries quickly isn't great for them, it wears them down eventually. The Maha battery charger can love your batteries back to life, with a function it calls "condition" (it gently discharges them fully, and then gently charges them). You can also set it to charge faster (more convenient, not so good for the batteries), or slower.

That charger can only cope with AA or AAAs, so I have an Ansmann Energy-8, which can charge C, D and PP9 as well. With both chargers it means I can have 14 AA batteries charged and ready to go. Which was very handy at Christmas, with two 5 year old boys and a lot of battery powered toys.

Finally, to complete my battery charger geek collection, I have a quick charger in the car, which runs from the cigarette lighter socket (I've forgotten the name of it). That's very handy when, like today, I forget to replace the batteries in my camera with fresh ones before going to a birthday party with the kids. No problem. Nip to the car. Wait 15 minutes. Nice freshly charged batteries.

[markl]

Staples for some reason is expensive for battery chargers and rechargeable batteries...You can get really good prices at Target or amazon.And yes 15 chargers wear out your batteries a little faster.
I have been using my same 4 AAA energizer nimh batteries for 3 years now in my mp3 player.They cost me 9.99 at target.Has save dme god knows how much money-the best 10 bucks i ever spent.
I bought my charger off amazon but you find a wide selection for cheap at target.Even Ralphs,albertsons have them!

[markl]

Siel,you can buy that same duracell charger with 4 recharge batteries for less than 16.99 at target...see it here:http://www.target.com/Duracell-Battery-Charger/dp/B000E9ZHUA/sr=1-1/qid=1200221800/ref=sr_1_1/601-4512613-0955367?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038598&rh=k%3ARechargeable%20Battery%20&page=3