Hardware AA batts or rechargeable packs?

[KeyLocke]

What should I get?

 

[Foxi4]

Rechargable batteries from a well-known brand with a high capacity will serve you better than a rechargable pack with some no name cells inside of it. The more mAh the batteries have the longer they'll work, so keep that in mind. I'm using a set of rechargable Energizers for at least two years now and they're yet to fail me - they're a good investment.

 

[trumpet-205]

I personally recommend eneloop AA battery, they are rechargable NiMH battery with low self-discharge rate.

 

[KeyLocke]

Very interesting, someone also told me I should get batts. I read Eneloop is good, do you think this one's a good buy?

http://m.sulit.com.ph/index.php/vie...w/+2hr+Quick+Charger?referralKeywords=eneloop

Cost is $23

 

[yuyuyup]

I have an energizer wii-remote rechargeable pak, it charges with USB so I can use it plugged in regardless of remaining power

 

[calmwaters]

Energizer also makes docking stations that will charge your remote.

 

[Lacius]

Get some decent rechargeable AAs. They're versatile and aren't limited to use with Wii Remotes. I've been using the same ~10 rechargeable AA batteries with my Wii Remotes for over five years.

 

[KeyLocke]

What batteries are you using Lacius?

 

[Lacius]

I have some Rayovac AA batteries and some La Crosse AA batteries. The La Crosse batteries came with my charger, and the Rayovac batteries were the cheapest ones in the store. I bought the La Crosse batteries (and charger) in 2007 and the Rayovac batteries in 2008.

There are lots of variables involved in how long rechargeable batteries last. How often they're used, how often they're recharged, how they're recharged, etc. For example, a battery will last longer if it isn't recharged until it gets to around 0-20%. I have no idea how good my batteries are relative to other brands, especially since I've taken good care of mine.

 

[KeyLocke]

You had me at 5 years and cheap, I'll try to look for those.

Yuyuyup's Energizer packs sound cool too.

 

[trumpet-205]

Energizer batteries are regular Ni-MH batteries, so that means they have high self discharge rate. In layman terms, it means battery looses power quickly even if you don't use it. This wouldn't be a problem if you play frequently, but if you play occasionally you must recharge it before playing each time.

 

[KeyLocke]

So I should get those low discharge Eneloops then

 

[calmwaters]

So I should get those low discharge Eneloops then

You should get an Energizer docking station. I have rechargeable batteries, but they take 24 hours to charge on a USB stick. The docking station can fully charge your Remote in 4 hours. Do the math.

 

[Foxi4]

You should get an Energizer docking station. I have rechargeable batteries, but they take 24 hours to charge on a USB stick. The docking station can fully charge your Remote in 4 hours. Do the math.

Charging rechargable batteries with a USB stick? Talk about ineffective - I use a standard wall socket charger instead. In any case, here's the deal - if you're playing on your system VERY often, you don't need to spend extra on low self-discharge rate batteries. If you often leave it unattended for periods longer than a week or two, you could probably benefit from low self-discharge rate batteries. Weigh the pro's and con's, compare prices and then make a decision. If you'll end up buying a battery pack instead, make sure that it's a branded battery pack, like the suggested Energizer one - never buy "No Name" batteries - they will likely quickly lose their capacity and if they do, you will be disappointed with their performance.

 

[calmwaters]

Charging rechargable batteries with a USB stick? Talk about ineffective - I use a standard wall socket charger instead. In any case, here's the deal - if you're playing on your system VERY often, you don't need to spend extra on low self-discharge rate batteries. If you often leave it unattended for periods longer than a week or two, you could probably benefit from low self-discharge rate batteries. Weigh the pro's and con's, compare prices and then make a decision. If you'll end up buying a battery pack instead, make sure that it's a branded battery pack, like the suggested Energizer one - never buy "No Name" batteries - they will likely quickly lose their capacity and if they do, you will be disappointed with their performance.

I've got a wall socket charger too: it's got room for 2 AA/AAA batteries, 4 AAs, or 4 AAAs. But I still suggest getting a docking station if you do like to not play your Wii for a few days because it takes barely any time to charge your remote. (I've got a wireless GC controller that uses AAA batteries... )

 

[MeowTheMouse]

http://www.amazon.com/eneloop-Capac...qid=1381545523&sr=1-15&keywords=Sanyo+Eneloop

 

[calmwaters]

http://www.amazon.com/Wii-Controlle...sr=8-6&keywords=Energizer+docking+station+Wii

This's a new model; charges your WiiU gamepad too...

 

[air2004]

get the cradle charger for the wii motes , mine is about 5 years old and I haven't changed the batteries either ( then again I don't really use that much either anymore )

 

[BitBandit]

I had a wireless charging pad station where you just have to lay the remotes on the pad and they would charge up, and the pad took its power from the Wii so no extra power socket needed. It lasted for about 3 or 4 years but now one of the battery packs has pretty much died and won't hold a charge for very long.

I tried looking for replacement battery packs but apparently they don't make them any more, and while researching it I found lots of people complaining about the particular brand of battery / charger that I had bought, even though it worked well for me.

So I ended up buying some loose rechargeable batteries. They're a brand I've never heard of, "DLG", but they are meant to be 2500mAh which means they should last a good long while. I got them cheap through an auction site. One of the batteries won't charge at all, so I guess that's a dud. The rest charge up ok but if I try them in my Wii balance board then they only last a few minutes before the Wii starts complaining about low power. They appear to work ok in the remotes, but I've only had them a week and haven't had much time to play with them.

For me the perfect solution would be another wireless charging pad station. I find them much easier than having to roll back the remote's silicon cover to access the battery compartment whenever you need to change batteries. Also less wear and tear on the battery compartment.

There are also charging stations where you sit the remote in a dock and small connectors in the dock go into the bottom of the remote. But most of the ones I looked at won't work with the remote silicon cover in place, and it's a hassle having to remove the cover all the time. Of course if you don't use the covers then it's not a problem, but I like the covers and find they help keep the remotes clean.

I've know that Energizer still sell a wireless charging station. And from what I've heard the batteries within the battery packs are replaceable, so in theory this system should work for a very long time with just the occasional new purchase of batteries when the old ones give up recharging.

 

[DinohScene]

I've had rechargable battery packs for me Wii motes and they died very quickly.

I'd value normal/rechargable batteries over those packs.