Hey Folks, I heard that some people have managed to use rechargable AAA with the alpkit gamma. Does anyone know which exact type of battery used?
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 Not sure I know what you mean by 'managed' but when first got mine I used various rechargeables I had in the house. They all seem to have the same performance - rubbish, so it didn't take me long to go back to normal batteries. But anyway, they all worked, just didn't last so long.
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 i use rechargeable ones with no probs. mine are uniross 1000's whatever that means last ages. just buy best quality and dont penny pinch on them and you will be fine im sure.
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I use 7dayshop for my rechargables and pretty sure it's these AAA's I use
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 Though I use normal batteries, I see no reason why you can't use any nickel cadmium (NiCd) or nickle metal hydride (NiMH) AAA sized batteries in the Alpkit Gamma. The onloy thng you will need to watch, is the budget priced batteries froma longeverty point. So long as the nominal battery voltage doesn't exceed 1.2V per battery, then go ahead.
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I've tried using duracell Nimh 1000mah but i cant even turn it on with them.
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hi luke that sounds like a connection problem to me. does it do the same with non rechargeables? if yes sounds like a connection problem  or try charging them up first  soz couldnt resist that one
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| Edited: 06/01/11 10:10 |
I would agree with Ifenbo, it sounds very much like a connection problem. This is assuming that you can use the Alpkit Gamma successfully with normal batteries, somethng that you don't mention. It is possible that one or more of the batteries could be faulty. The best way to find out is try them in something else that would use those batteries, or if you have access to a voltmeter, test the battery. Another possibility, some battery chargers will only charge batteries in pairs. If you've tried to charge them and not all the indicator lights illuminate, that could be the problem. I'll be honest, with so little info, I'm clutching at straws to try and pinpoint possible common problems.
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 Never had a problem with rechargeables (bog standard maplins ones - 1000 mAh) but I do keep a set of duracell on standby for when I am out for more than a weekend. The rechargeables seem to give a good light for about the same length of time as the disposables but after that the deterioration is a lot quicker, the disposables give a longer tail-end of useable light.
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 if you use rechargeables get a decent charger. this one is probably the best charger you can buy and is very good value for money as it will wheedle out duff/underperforming batteries that other chargers do not. charger use eneloop type rechargeables from a reputable brand (i use eneloop by sanyo). although these are lower power than you can get with other types they retain their charge. the ordinary nimh charge diminishes very rapidly in comparison which means you must always ensure you charge the batteries before you go out which is a royal pain. all batteries are not created equal. the rechargeable batteries may be slightly short than normal bateries - intermittent power or just not working. just carefully bend the contacts out so they fit properly. (took me ages to work out why my gps would switch itself off) then again a nice large pack of batteries from the pound shop last a very long time and are by far the cheapest option. no fun though. normal baterries have a long shelf life but be aware that once they are used they start to degenerate much more quickly as the chemical reaction has had a good kick start.
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Ive tried alkaline non rechargables and the light works fine. Ive also tried to use energiser 1000mah and 800mah AAA, no look with them either so far.
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Also the charger i use is a energiser charger that charges cells individually.
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if the energiser batteries don't work you've got a duff one/pair or the contacts need bending in the battery housing to ensure proper contact. the only things i can think of. sometimes chargers indicate they've charged the battery but haven't - usually identified because the battery hasn't been in the charger long enough (dirty or bad contacts probably). taking the battery out and reinserting it for another charge may cure it.
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 I've used energiser 800mAh batteries with my gammas over the past couple of years, and there have been no problems. Maybe you've got a slightly defective model with squashed spring contacts. Might be worth dropping alpkit a mail; they're a helpful bunch.
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all batteries are not created equal. the rechargeable batteries may be slightly short than normal bateries - intermittent power or just not working. just carefully bend the contacts out so they fit properly. (took me ages to work out why my gps would switch itself off)
That is very true, about the battery sizes not being equal. Not just with rechargables, but also non-rechargable batteries.
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I have had trouble with rechargeables for my Xbox controllers, they seemed to drain very quickly. After some serious investigation it turned out to be the charger rather than the battery, the overcharge cut-out was kicking in early and only half charging the battery. In something like a torch there might not be enough power to get the light going at all despite freshly charged batteries. I would try the rechargeables in someone else's charger if possible.
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if you are going to commit to rechargeables for usein the outdoors then only a good quality charger will do. all my outdoors stuff runs on AA batteries. only need one type of spare and they're interchangebale between toy/gizmo/invaluable tool.
ah! change batteries in gps. one of which wasn't charged. revert to map and compass.
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If its any consolation, I personally do NOT rate Duracell batteries. I've often found they are short lived compared to other respected brands. So I give them a wide berth.... I tend to use non-rechargables as old hat, because many years ago, the failure rate of rechargables was quite high. They are today, a lot more robust. Not only that, rechargable batteries need to be used regularly and not stored for long periods of no use. Depending on the materials used, some are best stored charged, others discharged. So read up on what type you are using and how best to store them when not in use. So with that in mind, for me, its easier to to keep and use non-rechargables. As for chargers. I will re-itterate Parkyagain's comment, USE A GOOD QUALITY CHARGER. There are lots of budget priced ones, with budget priced performance. However, Lfenbo, it would be nice to have an answer to an earlier question, from 06 Jan 2011 @ 12:28, can you use non-rechargable batteries successfully?
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| Edited: 08/01/11 08:13 |
hi fleegle, i thought i had answered that question...... however yes i use recharcheables with no problem in my alpkit gamma, i did buy brand new charger and batteries, i used it mainly cycling to work and back last winter rather than hiking much at night. if memory serves me right i think i only had to recharge them once maybe twice all winter using it on flashing mode,commute was about 45mins each way so i would say very good battery life. hope that helps. 
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