NIMH batteries

[Poriomania]

I just started using the rechargeable NiMH batteries in my Garmin handheld and I'm not getting the life out of them I thought I would. With the same settings for backlight etc. they seem to drain faster than regular alkalines. They are new batteries and a new charger, should I be expecting more out of them than the alkalines? I do have the GPS set to use them and not the alkalines.

 

[george_tlc]

It often takes a few discharge/charge cycles for new nimh cells to achieve full capacity. What mah rating are your nimhs? Does you garmin use AA or AAA?

For relatively low discharge draw like a modern GPS, alkalines can give similar or better performance than nimh cells.

cheers,
george.

 

[mrbigaxe]

With NiMH batteries, they start out at 1.2 volts instead of 1.5 volts. If the item you are powering is not all that voltage sensitive, you can get a lot out of them. However, the charge does not have a very long shelf life. And if they drop just a little, many items will not work. You may want to look for NiMH batteries that are specifically marketed as having a longer shelf life. I've used them and they really do hold a charge longer.

 

[Poriomania]

Im using 2k mah AAs and they are 1.2 volt batteries. They are marketed as longer life. I looked in my GPS manual and it didn't say anything about minimum required voltage.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I use the Duracells and love them. What brand did you buy? I got hold of some Sonys that I am pretty sure were forgeries.

 

[Poriomania]

I have Lenmar and Sunpacks. After using them more I'm happy with them. The gauge is highly inaccurate. I got about 8 continous hours out of the lenmars with full backlight on all the time. The sunpacks were less by a couple of hours, but it was the first charge on those.