Comments on: Are Rechargeable Batteries a Frugal Choice?

By: Aphelion

Aphelion — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 03:36:48 +0000

I agree-with babies and young kids with lots of toys-it does seem like a massive conspiracy going on (strangely I notice things the Wii Fit Plus comes w/ batteries bu the none of the toys i purchased this year came w/ batteries! It’s probably a safety/legal issue though). I have bought a cheap charger w/ 4-pk battery for $13.50 at Walmart then added 2 more 4-pks from Amazon for $18.00 so that brings to 12 rechargeables to cover most (but not all the high-duty-cycle toys for the kids!).
My biggest battery saving trick though is that for toys that can remain in one place I use old AC chargers -anything around 4.5 -9v and above 500mA powers most toys! You just need to be comfortable with basic DC electric hookup-I digital multimer help in figuring output polarity of charger (but it is usually clear e.g. red/black wires). Study the battery compartment of the toy and decide how to hook up adapter. You can cut off old DC plug and wire directly using aluminium foil and old drained battery (insuled by paper-to keep it from connecting!) to keep wiring in place or using some sort of improved mating plug in the toy-NEVER BATTERIES AGAIN-at least for that particular stationary toy!

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:45:23 +0000

Where are you buying a charger that costs $40? I bought a 15-minute charger complete with 4 batteries for <$20.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:54:58 +0000

My charger was about $30 at Wal-Mart, but I have seen them priced at $40 before (which is why I don’t recommend Best Buy for rechargeable batteries). The charger I bought was compatible with the nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are the best for all around use. It charges AA, AAA, C, D, and 9v. Most of the 15 minute chargers I have seen only work with AA and AAA batteries, which doesn’t cover my needs. It takes a few hours, but the charge lasts a long time.

By: FinanciallySmart

FinanciallySmart — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:05:24 +0000

I don’t use batteries much but we are in the hurricane season and one of the items on the list are batteries. It would be good to have rechargeable ones instead of always purchasing when it comes to this time of the year.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:02:21 +0000

depending on needs, of course.

I think that we will get our mileage out of it with the baby toys. Otherwise, I don’t think we would have purchased one.

By: ChristianPF

ChristianPF — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:59:28 +0000

I will say that the battery charger I own now and the one from 15 years ago are night and day difference. The newer ones are MUCH better, that said, still I think I agree, it probably often isn’t the most cost effective choice…

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:49:05 +0000

What’s frustrating is the $100 cost for Apple laptop rechargeable batteries. It comes a point after the battery holds only a 5 minute charge, that it’s better to just buy a new one.

The good/bad thing is, technology improves drastically every 5 yrs. Too bad for people like me, I just use my stuff for much longer than that i.e. my iBook!

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:35:29 +0000

I have bought rechargeable batteries and wonder how long they last. I feel like I would lose the battery or charger and it would cost more in the long run. I don’t use batteries much so buying a bulk pack from Price Club is fine for me and lasts a long time.