Expert: John Oliverio - 2/18/2004

Question
I have been using rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries in my Ricoh digital camera. After a number of charges they are not holding a charge even when not in use. I have also, in the past, used rechargeable Alkaline batteries.

What do you think is the best and most economical kind and what is the average useful life of each.

Thank you for any opnion on this.  

Answer
Bill,

Hello.  Thanks for the questions.

NiMH batteries are not supposed to hold their charge when not in use.  They drop a small percentage of their charge each day.  

I think NiMH is the best type.  There really is no answer to your last question.  But I'll give you an example:  A set of 2200 mHa cells on a 2 hour charger will get about 200 usefull cycles.  The same cells on an 8 hour charger should get about 500 cycles.  12 hour charger...  about 1000 cycles.  These numbers will vary by brand, charger and mHa.

John