Rechargeable AA Batteries

The rechargeable AA battery is a good choice for those who use a lot of small electronic appliances, such as cameras, flashlights and portable audio players. The rechargeable AA battery is usually more expensive to buy than the non-rechargeable AA battery, and you must also invest in a battery charger. If you use high-drain appliances or own several medium-drain devices, you will however soon realise that you are actually saving money. Instead of discarding empty batteries and buying new ones every month, you simply place your rechargeable AA battery in the battery charger and use it over and over again. Even the rechargeable AA battery has a limited life time, but it will definitely last much longer than a single-use non-rechargeable AA battery.

Today, you can choose among a vast selection rechargeable AA battery types, such as the alkaline rechargeable AA battery, the NiCd rechargeable AA battery, the NiMH rechargeable AA battery and the Lithium rechargeable AA battery. Which type you should select depend on several factors, including environmental concern and recycling possibilities in your area, how long you want a fully charged battery to last, how much money you are prepared to pay, if your appliances are high-drain or only medium-drain, and at which temperature you plan to use your equipment and store your rechargeable AA battery.

The life time and performance of a rechargeable AA battery is not only depending on the battery itself; the quality of the battery charger is very important. Each time a rechargeable AA battery is recharged, minor damages will occur within the battery. Eventually, these small injuries will render the rechargeable AA battery useless and force you to purchase a new one. Completely avoiding this form of recharge damage is impossible, even with our modern technology, but you can lower the damage rate significantly by choosing a properly working high-quality battery charger. This does not necessarily mean that you have to go out and purchase the most expensive battery charger you can find; less pricey battery chargers can prove to be of high-quality and vice versa.

The charge rate is also important to keep in mind when you select a charger for your rechargeable AA battery. A high charge rate is desirable, since it means that the battery chargers is capable of completely, or almost completely, refilling your rechargeable AA battery. A low charge rate will force you to perform frequent recharging and this is not only inconvenient; it will also reduce the life span of your rechargeable AA battery.

Another important aspect is how much time it will take for the charger to refill your rechargeable AA battery. Some chargers have a fast-charge option, while others only recharge in slow mode. You can avoid the need for fast-charge by planning ahead, or by purchasing an extra set of rechargeable batteries that you can use while first ones are being refilled.

If you purchase a nickel-cadmium based rechargeable AA battery, it is very important that you return the used battery to the seller or to the proper authorities in your area when the battery can not be recharged any more. Batteries containing cadmium should never be thrown in the trash, since cadmium is a dangerous metal that must not be allowed to contaminate the environment. Cadmium can cause acute poisoning and kidney failure. Long term exposure can increase the risk of developing cancer, even if you are exposed only to small amounts of cadmium.