Ansmann maxE
All rechargeable batteries lose charge over time once they are removed from a charger, this is known as “Self Discharge”.
For conventional NiMH type rechargeable batteries this is generally between 1% and 2% per day, though can be higher for the first few days.
As a result a rechargeable battery could have lost something like 50% of its capacity after a month of storage. This is often seen with digital cameras, where you put some freshly charged batteries in, take a few pictures, then put it away for next time. Next time ends up being a month or 2 later and the camera batteries are dead – really annoying.
Low Self Discharge (LSD) Rechargeable Batteries tend to have a self discharge rate of more like 1% – 2% per month making them much more suitable to this type of usage.
The down side of Low Self Discharge (LSD) Rechargeable Batteries is they tend to be a lower capacity, typically 2000mAh – 2100mAh for the AA size. This means they won’t last quite as long as a high capacity conventional rechargeable battery would if used intensively soon after charging.
As a rough “Rule Of Thumb” for AA rechargeable batteries, the cross over point is something like 2 – 3 weeks. So if you would ordinarily exhaust 2700mAh rechargeable batteries in less than 3 weeks, then stick with them, but if it would be longer than this then consider the Low Self Discharge (LSD) rechargeable batteries.
Low Self Discharge (LSD) rechargeable batteries are best for:
- Clocks
- TV Remote Controls
- Torches
- Flash Receivers
- Wii Controllers
- Xbox Controllers
- Kids toys
- Casual use cameras
- Solar Garden Lights
- Other low drain or occasional use products