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AA battery life

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Just a bit of a rant. ๐Ÿ˜ž

I have an SLR camera that I use a lot, mostly for documenting restoration of 2 cars I've been working on for a while. I use ordinary AA batteries and not rechargeable ones and normally get a month or two out of them, and I use the flash often.

Put new "super heavy duty" ones in the other day. Lasted about a week for just a few pics. What the heck. I tested the old batteries with a voltmeter first before tossing them to see if one or all needed replacing and also checked the new ones which showed they were good.

Then I looked at the package. A little hard to read maybe, but it says "ideal for low drain devices". Huh?

I know there's no need to pay for overpriced Duracell or Energizer as they're pretty much all built the same way. But a week out of something labeled "super heavy duty" ain't very good.

58 REPLIES 58

Tom_M1
Explorer
Explorer
Harbor Freight has 24 pack of AA or AAA alkaline batteries for $4.99 with coupon valid through Apr 30. I have never purchased any so don't know if they are any good. Customer reviews are 4.6 out of 5.
Tom
2005 Born Free 24RB
170ah Renogy LiFePo4 drop-in battery 400 watts solar
Towing 2016 Mini Cooper convertible on tow dolly
Minneapolis, MN

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
RobWNY wrote:
I've always had excellent life from the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in my electronics. Pricey but worth it.
I have to agree, we got great life out of those batteries. No comparison between them and any other batteries.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

fitznj
Explorer
Explorer
What's that expression:

"The cheap man pays the most"

There's a reason why Duracell/Energizer cost more.
Gerry

Happytraveler
Explorer
Explorer
Whatever you do don't buy razor blades at the 99 Cent Store, they're lethal. LOL
Charlie, a male Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Katie, a female Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

shum02
Explorer
Explorer
OkieGene wrote:
If you are near a Costco go buy their jumbo pack of Kirkland batteries.


Made by Duracell.

The go to batteries for high drain devices are Duracell and Energizer, you get what you pay for.
2006 F350 Lariat FX4 CC 4x4 PSD
2007 KZ2505QSS-F Outdoorsman

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
myredracer wrote:
I just have to laugh at the "super heavy duty" labeling and then "ideal for low drain devices" in small print in the corner both on the front of the package. :R
That is creative.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
DW loves to shop in dollar stores. Worse, she's an accountant and cheap is always best. ๐Ÿ˜ž I'm sure that's where she would've got them.

I just have to laugh at the "super heavy duty" labeling and then "ideal for low drain devices" in small print in the corner, both on the front of the package. :R

I saw a comparison of alkaline batteries (consumer reports?) a few years ago that concluded there was little difference between most brands & prices so spending more $$ doesn't necessarily mean longer life.

I'll check out lithium ones.

RobWNY
Explorer
Explorer
I've always had excellent life from the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in my electronics. Pricey but worth it.
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.

schlep1967
Nomad
Nomad
Just once. Spend the money for the Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries. Once you see how much longer they last, you will realize they are cheaper than a dozen cheap batteries.
2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ 3500 Diesel
2022 Montana Legacy 3931FB
Pull-Rite Super Glide 4500

OkieGene
Explorer
Explorer
If you are near a Costco go buy their jumbo pack of Kirkland batteries.

shastagary
Explorer
Explorer
those sunbeam batteries are carbon-zink not alkiline that i am sure the camera maker recommends as a minimum. they sell those sunbeam batteries for $1.00 at the dollar stores like it says there for low draw devices. as a note i have had bad luck with duracell batteries leaking in many devices haven't had that problem with other brands so now i make sure i remove them from any device that will not be used regularly.

You GOT what YOU paid for... JUNK
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet

Krusty
Nomad II
Nomad II
Good marketing plan though
Krusty
92 F-250 4x4 460 5spd 4.10LS Prodigy
97 Rustler RT190
EU2000i
Garmin

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Never heard of Sunbeam batteries. Were they cheaper?
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

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