This post got me interested. From a recent comment on an eneloop batteries deal. Don't like the calcs in that post on energy usage costs. However, even ignoring charging costs I think you can't beat using disposable in your low drain remote controls.
- You need about $2.50 worth of eneloop (~just under $20 for 8 pack, on special purchase cost plus a few back up batteries to be ready when your eneloops need charging) per AA.
V's
- Cheap batteries from Bunnings http://www.bunnings.com.au/varta-aa-alkaline-batteries-30-pa… that cost 30c per battery (not on special).
Eneloop upfront costs is roughly 8x your disposable option. Let’s say each disposable battery lasts 2 years then it's 16 years breakeven using the eneloop. A modest IRR of 3% applied to your initial outlay for the eneloops would blow this out even further.
Gets even harder for the eneloops if you get your AAs on special https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/139368. 23c per battery.
Happy to have my calcs ripped apart. What do people think? More risk of battery leakage with cheap batteries? No loss of eneloop when someone chucks them out because they don't realise they are rechargeable.
Be careful, there are Eneloop fanatics around here who will rip into anyone who even considers using alkalines regardless of their usage scenarios. Or fanatic, rather. :)
My conclusions are similar to yours, i.e. it's not worth it in some situations.
I have a ton of them which I use in my multitude of high-drain devices. I've saved heaps with them.
But with my low-drain devices like remotes, alkalines are just fine. A set of alkalines will me last years as I don't use them much. I always write down the date I put fresh batteries into my low-drain devices so I can determine whether or not it's worth switching to NiMH.
I have a thermometer whose GP alkalines lasted seven years. Using eneloops in them would be a waste of my time and effort, not to mention the high cost of rechargeables (they cost more back then).
I've had someone chuck out a very expensive 9V lithium-ion PP9 battery because… it's a battery. Very frustrating. They're very difficult to source as well, as my application needed a proper 9V battery (that was 9.6V). It didn't work well on the standard 7.2/8.4V NiMH PP9s.
My pepper grinder is noticeably weaker when running on 4.8V (4x nimh AAA) rather than 6V (4x alkalines), so even though it's a high-drain device, I use alkalines.
Some of my Varta LSD NiMH cells have degraded after a few years. That's money down the drain. I wonder how long Eneloops will last. I'm quite certain their performance will drop by the time they're 10 years old.
And of course, for some people, alkalines are just more convenient. Not everyone cares about spending an $1.80 extra a year for 3 sets of remote control batteries.
BTW I've had NiMH cells leak on me before. They were in a cordless phone and it left a furry white mess.