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Disposable vs. Rechargeable

Thinkin Rut

Thinkin Rut

PMA Member
Has anyone here compared the two batteries? I'm planning on leaving my cameras out longer between checking and wondered if the disposables would have a longer life. Thanks
 
Rechargeable---then you only have to buy 2 batteries(one in the camera and one at home to charge up and swap out).
 
Rechargeables last weeks, regulars don't
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In the long run you would be money ahead by using rechargables. I keep building more and more cameras and hate to think what it would cost buying new batteries all the time.
 
I agree with everything said above but if you want longer life and don't care about cost I alway thought disposables would out perform rechargeable on a one time basis. ?
 
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I alway thought disposables would out perform rechargeable on a one time basis. ?

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I disagree,
NIMH's are the only way to go. Alkalines will last less then a week, even good ones. You can add a solar panel if needed. I havent done this yet, but plan on trying it soon.
 
Thats exactly what I'm shooting for Ironwood. I thought it would be cheaper to buy expensive batteries rather than expensive gas. I guess the only way to find out is to stack the vmans on the same tree under the same conditions and let the better battery win.
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Like someone else said..... Get a set of rechargable batteries for each unit. My Moultrie Digital Gamespys will last approximately 35-40 days on a single charge during the summer and 25-30 days in colder weather. They have already paid for themselves........
 
I use the NIMH's for my Garmin 130's and while I like the rechargeability they seem to begin losing their charge right out of the recharger. For instance, I used to keep extras in my pack and would cycle them into the unit after having sat in the pack for anywhere from a few days to a week and the indicator would show a half charged battery (this is with the NIMH setting in the unit). If I use a Duracell or Energizer alcaline it not only showed a full charge but also lasted longer when compared to the NIMH. The only time I can get a full charge indication is if I take it directly from the charger to the unit.

With the Cuddeback's I use alcaline's and they seem to last a long time - months. I have never considered NIMH for the trail cams but would if they lasted longer. I guess I'm wondering how you guys are getting longer run times out of the NIMH rechargeables on your trail camera's??

BTW - I quit cycling batteries out of my pack and changed to lithium batteries for emergencies, they are lighter and the shelf life is much longer. Hope I never need them but if I do I have a little more confidence in them having a full charge if needed.
 
Alkaline batteries start out with a higher voltage then rechargables. But after repeated shuttering and capacitor recharges the alkalines will drain down just enough to make your camera think it's batteries are dead, or very weak. Whereas rechargables will keep the peak voltage for longer periods than the alkalines. I know there is a better way to explain this, but that is the best i can do right now.
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lol
 
Here is what I've learned about batteries in the past.
Lithium - normally increments of 3V, most expensive, best performing battery in cold weather, handles large current draw, provides constant voltage for life of battery (no way to predict remaining life by voltage), well-suited to fast draw electronics that require constant voltage
Alkaline - starts at 1.5V plus or in increments of and slowly loses voltage over the life of the battery, accurate indication of remaining battery life by voltage measurement, holds charge well over time but is not the best suited for large current draw, economical
NiMH - voltage in increments of 1.2 (for this reason battery status will read low vs. alkaline), maintains voltage during life of charge (not good indication of remaining life), handles large current draw, low memory and can be recharged many times (best attribute because batteries can be changed at every opportunity), will lose significant fraction of charge over time even without drain, not sure about performance at low temperatures, expensive up front

I hate wondering how much longer alkaline batteries will last. Therefore, I would normally go rechargeable and change them out at each opportunity. However, if battery life is long (i.e. Cuddeback advertised at 6 mo.) then alkaline makes sense.

Has anyone had any luck with NiMH in trail cams?

Does anyone have any experience with the little 6V sealed lead acid batteries by Moultrie? I've had one on the charger for 3 days and still not getting a full 6V. Either the battery or charger is bad.
 
When dealing with rechargeables you need a good charger. Dont even bother with the cheap walmart varietys. A good charger charges each cell seperatly not together.
 
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When dealing with rechargeables you need a good charger. Dont even bother with the cheap walmart varietys. A good charger charges each cell seperatly not together.

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Jason, who sells a good charger and how can I tell if it is a good one. What is the price range of a good charger?

I do use Nimh and change batteries very 10 days or so. This has always worked very well for me and my set ups. I can get better than 300 shots from pair of AA 2500ma rechargeables in that tim e frame.
 
I have the same question on chargers - I have a Sunpak Rapid Charger and think I paid around $25 for it with my digital camera from a commercial camera shop. It won't take "D" cells for the Cuddeback but I do use it for the Garmin 130's.
 
something along this line.
charger

You just want one that will be able to look at each cell indivdually and have an auto off feature.

I havent used this one specifically but it looks ok.

You can use the cheaper one, just keep your batterys together in sets. Dont mix and match them. Pick two and run them in the same camera at the same time. Charge them together and use them together. This is hard to do, espically if you have a lot of batteries like I do.
 
vcam - I know you like the NIMH's but would you use them in the Cuddebacks when alcalines are already lasting a long time?
 
Great info Jason. I think I am going to take my pile of rechageables and pair them up. I am going to mark them with fine line Sharpies of different colors and make a real effort to maintain pairs. <font color="red"> ... .. . </font> <font color="blue"> ... .. . </font> <font color="green"> ... .. .</font>
 
I probably would not worry about it in a cuddeback. Although, if it was me id probably set it up to run on a single 6 volt sealed lead acid battery.

Ironwood,
Before you pair them up. Check the voltage. Match them together that way.
 
You guys let us know which is better but my cuddeback lasts for around 1,000 pictures in this type of weather which is way better than my film camera which lasted only a month at it's best. I just wonder is it worth the hassle for me. $8.00 for 1000 pictures is worth it to me.
 
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