AA versus D cells

[dvenardos]

Anyone know why a 2200mAh D cell costs $5 and a 2300mAh AA cell costs $3.10?

http://www.cheapbatteries.com/nimh.htm

[Stereodude]

It doesn't matter. :eyebrows:

Don't buy 2200mAh D cells. Get the high capacity ones instead. link

[BobJoe123]

I use Eneloop batteries and they came with AA->D cell adapters. They work fine and didn't cost me anything.

Besides what SD posted it seems like a scam.

[dvenardos]

I want to expand the runtime on my bicycle light. It is designed for 5 alkaline D cells, so 7.5 volts and I run 5 2200mAh Nimh batteries (6 volts). I was going to build a new battery pack with 6 rechargeable batteries to bump it back up to 7.2 volts and add a little bit of extra capacity. I am way to cheap to spend $60 on batteries. The ideal solution would be to load up on inexpensive AA Nimh and add a voltage regulator, but probably easier to just build two battery packs and switch them when the first one runs down.

[m-fine]

Get an LED light, and 4 AA 2200mah will last for days.

[Stereodude]

Besides what SD posted it seems like a scam.

How so? :no clue:

[Stereodude]

I want to expand the runtime on my bicycle light. It is designed for 5 alkaline D cells, so 7.5 volts and I run 5 2200mAh Nimh batteries (6 volts). I was going to build a new battery pack with 6 rechargeable batteries to bump it back up to 7.2 volts and add a little bit of extra capacity. I am way to cheap to spend $60 on batteries. The ideal solution would be to load up on inexpensive AA Nimh and add a voltage regulator, but probably easier to just build two battery packs and switch them when the first one runs down.

I'd get a 2AA LED flashlight like this or this and a handlebar mount before I put any money into what you've got. It's probably brighter with comparable run time and it weighs a whole lot less.

Besides, added an extra cell isn't going add any extra capacity. Instead you will probably shorten your battery life, but you will get some extra light.

[scc135]

I will try to find it, but I do remember an article where someone took apart an energizer rechargable D cell and found out it's actually an AA with a plastic casing... shaddy stuff...

-edit-
found it!

http://www.naturalnews.com/PhotoTour_Energizer_Batteries_2.html

[utahsavages]

I use Eneloop batteries and they came with AA->D cell adapters. They work fine and didn't cost me anything.

Besides what SD posted it seems like a scam.

Thomas Distributing is a long time reputable site.

+1 for all the LSD comments.

[utahsavages]

I'd get a 2AA LED flashlight like this or this and a handlebar mount before I put any money into what you've got. It's probably brighter with comparable run time and it weighs a whole lot less.

Besides, added an extra cell isn't going add any extra capacity. Instead you will probably shorten your battery life, but you will get some extra light.

Somebody is a flashoholic. Those Quark lights look really nice.

[bunnyma357]

I want to expand the runtime on my bicycle light. It is designed for 5 alkaline D cells, so 7.5 volts and I run 5 2200mAh Nimh batteries (6 volts). I was going to build a new battery pack with 6 rechargeable batteries to bump it back up to 7.2 volts and add a little bit of extra capacity. I am way to cheap to spend $60 on batteries. The ideal solution would be to load up on inexpensive AA Nimh and add a voltage regulator, but probably easier to just build two battery packs and switch them when the first one runs down.

Having gone through tons of bikelights and batteries (Halogen, LED, HID - SLA, NiCad, Nimh, Li-ion), I finally ended up with a dynamo hub.

Although initially a lot more pricey, a dynamo hub/light system gives you total convenience and decent lighting, while freeing you from having to think about batteries and charging. If you ride a lot, like winter commuting, or events like randoneuring where you need long run times riding overnight, ride in cold weather and frequently recharge - the dynamo system will end up saving you money over time.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/shimano.html#plugs

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/lumotec-hub.html

Jim C

[Stereodude]

Somebody is a flashoholic.

It's flashaholic, and I have no idea what you're talking about. :shiftyeyes:

[dweekie]

It's flashaholic, and I have no idea what you're talking about. :shiftyeyes:

I don't think I need to know any details about stereodude's flashing habits.... :no clue:

[dvenardos]

Hey thanks guys.
You have to spend quite a bit of money to get an LED that is bright enough for going 20 mph in the dark. :yes:
Mainly I was just *****ing about the high cost of high capacity D cells, my simplest solution. :crazy:

Having gone through tons of bikelights and batteries (Halogen, LED, HID - SLA, NiCad, Nimh, Li-ion), I finally ended up with a dynamo hub.

Although initially a lot more pricey, a dynamo hub/light system gives you total convenience and decent lighting, while freeing you from having to think about batteries and charging. If you ride a lot, like winter commuting, or events like randoneuring where you need long run times riding overnight, ride in cold weather and frequently recharge - the dynamo system will end up saving you money over time.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/shimano.html#plugs

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/lumotec-hub.html

Jim C

I have seen those before, very cool.
Sheldon Brown is the man, it was a bummer when he died. Heard he had a tough time riding the last year.

[m-fine]

+1 for all the LSD comments.

I have to disagree here. Riding at night on public roads while on LSD is not a smart thing to do!