Battery Test !

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January 24th, 2019, 06:54 PM
jaycee

Battery Test !

My neighbor sent this to me.

Because there is such a price difference between North American and
Chinese batteries, I thought I'd run a simple comparison on some AA's.
We have a pair of artificial candles that have little LED bulbs in the
flame-shaped portion at the top. They operate on 2 AA batteries each
and when you turn them on they look quite real and even flicker like a
real flame.
So, back on December 18, 2018, I loaded one candle with Energizer AA,
Dated 12-2026 Made in USA, purchased on sale through Groupon. They
worked out to $1.15 for the two with tax.

Loaded the other candle with Dick Smith AA, Dated 07-2020 Made in
China, purchased from Princess Auto ($6.49/40 pack on sale). They
worked out to $0.37 for the two with tax.

Turned them both on at the same time and ran them 24 hours a day to
see which candle would crap out first.
Today is Day 37. Although both candles are getting considerably
dimmer, they both still flicker and I can see no difference in the
brightness level between them.

Now, some people would wonder why the Hell is that old man going
through all that rig-a-ma-roll.
First, it's mostly because inquiring minds want to know and second,
his Scots heritage wants the best bang for his buck :-).
January 24th, 2019, 08:56 PM
smitty55

I would think that doing a test with a heavier load would give more accurate results. I know my trail cam doesn't last near as long on cheap batteries.

Cheers
January 24th, 2019, 09:20 PM
Marker

If its nay Scottish its CR4P!

https://www.oodmag.com/community/ima...D0FZWUmNH/2Q==https://pics.awwmemes.com/if-its-not...k-38188219.png
January 24th, 2019, 09:44 PM
jaycee

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty55

I would think that doing a test with a heavier load would give more accurate results. I know my trail cam doesn't last near as long on cheap batteries.

Cheers

Don't forget, that cold weather affects battery life.
January 25th, 2019, 11:42 AM
benjhind

A real Scotsman would just look up the results, rather than spending the $1.52 to test the cells!

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...lkaline-AA-CAN
January 25th, 2019, 12:10 PM
smitty55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycee

Don't forget, that cold weather affects battery life.

Yep, specially with cheap batteries.
January 25th, 2019, 04:50 PM
jaycee

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty55

Yep, specially with cheap batteries.

Forget the above, but he has just proved that for " his " intended use, the cheaper batteries work just as well if not better when you factor in the cost .:)
January 25th, 2019, 07:21 PM
smitty55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycee

Forget the above, but he has just proved that for " his " intended use, the cheaper batteries work just as well if not better when you factor in the cost .:)

I doubt the led candles were his intended usage, those were the load he was using for a test. Like I said, if you use a more appropriate load to really test the batteries those el cheapos will fail miserably compared to Energizers or Duracell. Just ask the bunny.
January 26th, 2019, 12:05 PM
jaycee

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty55

I doubt the led candles were his intended usage, those were the load he was using for a test. Like I said, if you use a more appropriate load to really test the batteries those el cheapos will fail miserably compared to Energizers or Duracell. Just ask the bunny.

:rolleye: What ever, at least he was satisfied with his test!
January 27th, 2019, 08:53 AM
blasted_saber

The best off brand batteries Ive found are Amazon's. Currently they are $0.31 for a AA ($15 for 48). They rate fairly highly in terms of quality too. If you have a prime membership shipping is free.

https://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-P...00MNV8E0C?th=1
January 30th, 2019, 08:33 AM
longpointer

Everyone likes to save money but at what cost to the environment in another country and/or job loss in this country ?
January 30th, 2019, 06:32 PM
jaycee

Quote:

Originally Posted by longpointer

Everyone likes to save money but at what cost to the environment in another country and/or job loss in this country ?

Doesn't matter if they are made off shore, as someone in this country makes money off them, wholesalers. distributors, retailers.
In the end , my neighbor wanted the best bang for his dollar , and found out .
Can you answer this question?
Is everything, you buy and use from food, clothing, equipment, the TV. that you watch, computer you use, made in this country ?
If not then you have no reason to throw in your statement that you made, end of discussion.
January 30th, 2019, 06:56 PM
blasted_saber

Quote:

Originally Posted by longpointer

Everyone likes to save money but at what cost to the environment in another country and/or job loss in this country ?

Who makes batteries in Ontario?

When I order from Amazon, I am employing numerous people at Amazon's distribution centre and then the courier service that delivers it.
January 30th, 2019, 07:36 PM
trimmer21

I'm not sure about Chinese AA and AAA batteries,but,Chinese ATV batteries will only last one season.....if that. Garbage,just garbage.
January 30th, 2019, 09:55 PM
73hunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by longpointer

Everyone likes to save money but at what cost to the environment in another country and/or job loss in this country ?

We’ve done it to ourselves, ALL of us.
January 30th, 2019, 10:50 PM
trimmer21

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73hunter

We’ve done it to ourselves, ALL of us.

AMEN! There's nothing that can be done to rectify the situation,either. Once it's gone,it's gone for good.
February 1st, 2019, 09:59 AM
longpointer

Jaycee..... yes I can answer your question. Many things I have purchased were not made in this country or in North America matter of fact but at least I know a question when I see it.

Blasted_Saber…. to answer your question. I know in the past we did manufacture consumer type batteries ie; D,C,AA, AAA etc. in this country. Actually in the Toronto area where I was a electrical supplies salesman and toured their plants. As of now here in Canada we manufacture specialty batteries for solar panels, special applications, marine industry, UPS companies etc..

Trimmer21...……. what can I say but " caveat emptor".
February 18th, 2019, 09:37 PM
johny

Lithium is still the best and lowest cost over a long span of time.

I posted this 3 years ago:
Lithium is cheaper over the long run.
I had a Reconyx 600 go deep into a third year on one set of Lithium AA Energizers.
Positioned over well used game trails and food plots—it takes a lot of pictures.
They finally died after 32 months for continuous/365 use including -30C temps in the winter.

If I had used regular Alkaline AA’s, I would have used at least 5 sets over the same two and half years.

Economic analysis:
12 Energizer Lithium AA sells for $45 at Canadian Tire
Five sets of 12 Energizer Alkaline AA sells for $64.

It’s a no brainer.
More money up front but Lithium lasts incredible length of time.
Plus, they work in winter when the regular alkaline can’t push enough energy to function well.
February 19th, 2019, 07:46 AM
Fox

Quote:

Originally Posted by trimmer21

I'm not sure about Chinese AA and AAA batteries,but,Chinese ATV batteries will only last one season.....if that. Garbage,just garbage.

You sure about that? Have you traced the manufacturing of the batteries that last? Do you know exactly where the batteries you buy are made or just the label that is stuck to the side of it?
February 19th, 2019, 10:14 AM
benjhind

Quote:

Originally Posted by johny

Lithium is still the best and lowest cost over a long span of time.

I posted this 3 years ago:
Lithium is cheaper over the long run.
I had a Reconyx 600 go deep into a third year on one set of Lithium AA Energizers.
Positioned over well used game trails and food plots—it takes a lot of pictures.
They finally died after 32 months for continuous/365 use including -30C temps in the winter.

If I had used regular Alkaline AA’s, I would have used at least 5 sets over the same two and half years.

Economic analysis:
12 Energizer Lithium AA sells for $45 at Canadian Tire
Five sets of 12 Energizer Alkaline AA sells for $64.

It’s a no brainer.
More money up front but Lithium lasts incredible length of time.
Plus, they work in winter when the regular alkaline can’t push enough energy to function well.

Canadian Tire has alkaline AA's on sale every other week. This week's flyer has 30 Energizer Max for $13.99, making 5 sets of 12 total $28, not $64.

Most independent tests will show that the lithium batteries will deliver about triple the capacity of the alkaline counterparts, rather than 5x (lots of test results on candlepowerforums.com). However, most of these are carried out at room temperature and data isn't as readily available for cold weather tests. The lithium batteries are rated for colder temps than their alkaline counterparts.

For me, I choose alkaline batteries in all my cameras and I usually get around a year out of a set in each cam. In the house, I opt for eneloop rechargeables. At $3.50/cell they aren't cheap but after 7 cycles they have paid for themselves. Many of my eneloops have been cycled hundreds of times. I don't use them in the bush because I can't stand the thought of a trail cam thief running off with $20 worth of batteries on top of the price of the camera!
February 19th, 2019, 11:04 AM
trimmer21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

You sure about that? Have you traced the manufacturing of the batteries that last? Do you know exactly where the batteries you buy are made or just the label that is stuck to the side of it?

My experience has been that Can Tire batteries are built in China under several different names. Every one of them didn't last a full season once the cold weather hit. The last one, I took back to Can Tire and argued for a refund which they gave with a little friendly persuasion. Confidentially,the auto parts manager said there was many that were returned. The ATV batteries I've had the best success with are built by Honda under the Yuasa brand,but,they usually last 3 seasons and are a tad pricier than CT's. The Honda service manager advised to disconnect the battery leads if the ATV won't be used for an extended period. Honda ATV's use power for the on-board circuitry and drain the battery continually. A trickle charge keeps the battery "up",but,eventually,not even that cab save the battery from full discharge. Once they're down that far,there's no bringing them back.