Best AA batteries

[davidmull]

As above what's the best around for power/long lasting for me 8043?

[prateek]

IMO, regular Duracell batteries are ideal, but you could get rechargeable batteries that you recharge while you're not using the PF.

[DLuders]

As noted by Sariel on this Eurobricks post, "The power output from standard AA or AAA batteries drops rapidly over the time, especially with high-current-consuming XL motors. Basically, the difference you've shown is true only for fresh out-of-the-box batteries. The rechargeable AA or AAA batteries are much less prone to this effect, and the 8878 battery provides practically constant output until it runs out dry."

However, Johanby added that "Rechargeable NiMH AA batteries have a voltage of only 1.2V yielding a total of 7.2V, even less than the 7.4V of the 8878 LiPo battery."

Since the 8043 set NEEDS LOTS OF VOLTAGE for maximum performance, recommend just buying six of the standard, non-rechargeable 1.5V AA batteries to yield a full 9V. Rien has run his 8043 on a (non-Lego) 11.1V LiPo battery pack like you would use on an RC buggy, but some folks think that using 11.1V will damage the PF motors.

Edited January 1, 2011 by DLuders

[backbone]

I have 2 regular Battery boxes, each with 6 Pentagram Infinity 2600 mAh rechargeable cells. 8043 with servicepack works fine on this cells.

[rien]

I have 2 regular Battery boxes, each with 6 Pentagram Infinity 2600 mAh rechargeable cells. 8043 with servicepack works fine on this cells.

2? where do you keep them?

The 11,1 volts stil working above nomal :P

I build a trailer for the excavator so my 8258 can carry the 8265 and pull the 8043 on my new trailer.

I will ad movie tommorow.

[backbone]

2? where do you keep them?

2 battery boxes - for exchange, when first needs recharge

[Out of Sight]

Alkaline batteries are the worst batteries you can have on high power consumption model such as the 8043 imo. Alkaline batts are 'intially' 1.5 volt, apply big load (high amp draw) and the voltage falls FAST. Ni-MH batts have much better high current handling. I've tried good brands of alkalines, the Ni-MH is way superior in performance, torque, and operating multiple LAs simultaneously. I run Sanyo 2800mah 1.2v rechargeable Ni-mh batts for digital cams which have high C rating on my 8043.

You should check this website and see the comparison of alkaline and rechargeable Ni-mh. Check the comparison test result's graph..the Duracell is 'obliterated' under just 0.5A of current draw and see how the voltage plummets way below Ni-MH batteries..I suspect the 8043 M motors can pull 1-3A. For those who think that alkalines have higher voltage and better performance for high current draw applications such as the 8043, might want to reconsider their statement.

http://www.greenbatteries.com/batterymyths.html

This is why Nimh, Lipo (such as Lego 8878), despite their lower voltage, are SUPERIOR to alkalines because of their higher discharge rate.

Edited January 2, 2011 by Out of Sight

[DLuders]

If "cost is no object", then the Rechargeable batteries are "best" but they are expensive. If one is just going to play with their 8043 for a few minutes and then park it on a shelf, then AA Alkaline batteries are "better" because they cost less and do an adequate job for a few minutes of hard play.

On the Powerstream.com website, there is a side-by-side discharge test of AA Alkaline batteries. For high-current applications like the Lego 8043 Motorized Excatator, the results are interesting. There is a table which I cannot easily reproduce here, so recommend viewing the website.

CODES USED IN THE GRAPH BELOW:

Radio Shack Enercell Plus = RS

Duracell Coppertop = DC

Energizer Titanium = ET

Energizer Max = EM

Eveready Gold = EG

Energizer Lithium = E2

"This test compares the different manufacturer's cells at 2 amps discharge rate. The manufacturer codes are listed in the table above. Note that at 2 Amps discharge rate the Radio Shack (RS) has higher voltage and more amp hours than the Duracell Coppertop (DC)":

"At 1 Amp discharge rate the Radio Shack still has some advantage over the Duracell Coppertop":

"At 500 mA discharge rate the Radio Shack and Duracell are neck and neck":

Edited January 2, 2011 by DLuders

[Out of Sight]

@DLuders

Thanks for the comparison graphs!

But since I spend a lot of time cycling through the functions of my 8043, when I get bored at work (the 8043 is placed intentionally on top of my work desk ), I find 10 full days of constant power delivery from rechargeable batts to my liking, each time I 'fired up' the diesel engine and hydraulics..errr, I mean, PF and LAs . One other advantage I notice from rechargeable batts is, I can get constant speed when lifting the boom while operating other functions. No decrease in speed. Also indicated by the LED lights on the PF battery box which don't dim as each motor is activated.

Yes I agree, alkalines are cheaper if your 8043 is parked on the shelf, but for parents with kids havin' a blast with their 8043, rechargeable is wiser in the long run and ensure the their excavator remains 'fun'

Edited January 2, 2011 by Out of Sight

[rien]

2 battery boxes - for exchange, when first needs recharge

Ha smart ofcourse

I have seen one on youtube who realy had 2 boxes on his 8043 .

[davidmull]

Is it not true that energizer lithium e2 batteries are the best all round,they look good in the graph above too,wonder would they be good in 8043?

[hoeij]

However, Johanby added that "Rechargeable NiMH AA batteries have a voltage of only 1.2V yielding a total of 7.2V, even less than the 7.4V of the 8878 LiPo battery."

For the B-model, I compared the maximum weight that it can lift (the 8878 versus a fresh set of batteries). It's the same. The speed is also the same.

So despite the voltage difference, it works as well on the 8878 as it does on a fresh set of batteries. With regular batteries, it becomes slower when the batteries are no longer full. With the 8878, you have full performance until the battery needs to be recharged.

It's not voltage that gives the motor torque, it's amps.

[davidmull]

Just bought a set of Energizer lithium batteries AA ,works very well now and more amps so more torque,lasts 4-5 times longer as well,more expensive but cheaper in the long run,

Cost was more expensive at €12.99 for 6 batteries.8043 is flying it now :)

[backbone]

Cost was more expensive at €12.99 for 6 batteries.8043 is flying it now :)

Oh my god. 13 euros for 6 normal batteries? Recently i bought 6 rechargeable AA batteries (pentagram infinity 2600 mAh) for equivalent of 13 euro (50 PLN)

[Out of Sight]

Just bought a set of Energizer lithium batteries AA ,works very well now and more amps so more torque,lasts 4-5 times longer as well,more expensive but cheaper in the long run,

Cost was more expensive at €12.99 for 6 batteries.8043 is flying it now :)

WOW mate, you must have a lot of cash to fork out Why not get the 8878 Lipo then? I'm still currently running high discharge rechargeable Ni-MHs, left regular alkalines for dead in terms of performance. I did think about buying the 8878 Lipo...but something's holding me back. I love the way the standard 6 cell PF Battery box look on top of the 8043. It looks like an engine bonnet. In the 8878 you get that ugly square shapes, so you need to cover it up. I'm seriously thinking of hacking the 6 cell battery box and inserting a softcase lipo there, so on the outside it'll look 'stock'.

btw David, is there a vid somewhere? I'd love to see how well these AA lithium perform.

Edited January 4, 2011 by Out of Sight

[MarcoB]

I have been really pleased with these rechargeable batteries:

GP ReCyko

Those stay charged for several months.

[Tobbe Arnesson]

I'm going to a Mindstorms/NXT-competition on Friday and had been thinking about what batteries might give the best performance, especially in terms of the same performance throughout the day (solving the task is always a lot of trial-and-error and come competition I need the same performance).

Seems the best option is Lithium and the next best is NiMh-rechargeable. That was a surprise, would have thought some "high grade" Alkaline would beat the NiMh.

Now if I could find some Lithium batteries before then, living on the countryside does have it's drawbacks sometimes...

For home use in MOCs and models I'll keep using NiMh and the 8878.

[DarkShadow73]

Definitely don't go with Rayovacs, they are crap. Duracells seem to hold up a lot better IMO.

[rien]

Definitely don't go with Rayovacs, they are crap. Duracells seem to hold up a lot better IMO.

I agree on this one the best is duracel thats even better that the 8878 with 7,5 volts 6x duracel gives you 9 volts 6x rechargeble alkalines gives you 7.5v

But if you have manu recivers and motors in them 9 volt is not enough.

I solved that already for my consrtuktion machine they run on 11,1 volt.

[davidmull]

Lithiums are great I'm using them now, there cheaper on eBay too,

http://cgi.ebay.com/10-NEW-4-Packs-Energizer-Ultimate-Lithium-AA-Batteries-/250749202889?pt=US_Batteries&hash=item3a61d131c9#ht_500wt_922

Edited January 5, 2011 by davidmull

[Tobbe Arnesson]

Another plus with Lithium is the low weight!