Sanyo batteries

<p>Hiya, I dug out my La Crosse battery charger out and do some testing of the batteries. I have not used the Sanyo's in the past few years, since I couldn't really get a proper use out of them. Even when I had them new freshly charged, they only lasted 5 days on the shelf unused and when in used, the external flash didn't last nor with other appliances. </p>

<p>I am wondering if any of you guys have used them. They used to be called Sanyo Industrial (AA) batteries with the green colour but without any brandname label. See this picture:<br>

http://www.steves-digicams.com/lightning4000.html</p>

<p>Not sure if they were dodgy. But the place I got it from ripvan100.com was supposedly very reputable but now the site doesn't list any more products. I know it has been a good couple of years but I've never gotten a good use of them since day 1 and just wondering how you guys fared ... When I bought my La Crosse charger at the same time those Lacrosse included AAs are still working ok (despite the years). </p>

<p>Many thanks.</p>

<p>the 2500+mA AA batteries have always been somewhat 'fragile' and sensitive to charging discipline etc etc. Get yourself some Sanyo 'Eneloop' 2000mA low self-discharge batteries.</p>

<p>I second the Eneloop batteries suggestion. </p>

<p>+1 for the Eneloops, which were BTW made by Sanyo but taken over by Panasonic.<br>

My experience with rechargable batteries is not too good. In use they tend to be cumbersome due to self discharge and other problems. Perhaps ok when you use them on a daily basis but not when they sit on a shelf for months. My experience with the Eneloops is much better, also in the cold.</p>

<p>I've been having very good luck with the <a href="http://www.mahaenergy.com/">MAHA's</a> Powerex brand NiMh AA batteries. They now have a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_self-discharge_NiMH_battery#Low_self-discharge_cells">"low-self-discharge NiMh"</a>, similar to the Eneloop called "Immedion".</p>

<p>As far as performance, I've gotten much better performance from MAHAs higher capacity cells (their Powerex AAs are up to 2700mAh) than their older, lower capacity cells. I use them in my flash, my ham radio, and bluetooth keyboards & trackpads. But, over time, all rechargeable cells lose some of their capacity. Using them, I've found, seems to help them last longer, as opposed to having them sit on a shelf. If you need batteries that stay ready to be used "someday", you're better served by non-rechargeable lithium.</p>

<p>Oh - one thing that may have affected my success with the MAHA cells is using a MAHA charger. Not that the brand is really any help, but it is a "smart" charger, rather than a simple wall charger.</p>

<p>I used Powerex standard NiMh AA's in my digital point and shoots and my flash unit for a long time and was very happy with the battery life in-use, but not so happy with having to charge them so often. (This was back in the 2300 and early 2500 mAh days.) But a good deal on Eneloops gave me a chance to try them out and as a result, I switched. I use them all over the house now and not just for cameras and flash units. Yes there is a bit of a trade-off with power, but I find the lack of self-discharge management more than makes up for it.</p>

<p>edit: I just noticed that Sanyo has some higher capacity low-self discharge batteries dubbed "Eneloop XX." I will have to give them a try.</p>