Overview: All eneloop batteries; 2005-2025

[aznsx]

I just put some Eneloop Pro's in my flashlight, but then noticed this statement on the back of the package.

"Do not use in water proof flashlight or any device with an air tight battery compartment.

Any thoughts?

View attachment 62465

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Carry On!

I've heard that they 'outgas', which of course causes a pressure rise in a sealed container. I believe that's considered 'normal', or to be expected, rather than some impending cell failure(?). Many have noted such things as bulging tailswitch 'rubber' actuator caps, etc. How much of a concern its it / can it be? I don't think I've met anyone yet who actually knows. I do know I would put a caution on the packaging, just as they have. If one can't completely eliminate an issue, it's best to document it. That's not something 'sinister', it's common sense to me. That said, there's a lot of things I ain't, and don't pretend to be, and one is a 'chemist'.

 

[ChibiM]

Don't worry.. they have been used in flashlights for many many many years :)

 

[Monocrom]

My Eneloops bought earlier in 2024, working fantastically a few months later. Expecting them to last many years to come.

 

[MidnightDistortions]

I have Eneloops dating back from 2014 still going strong. Amazing how well they're holding up.

 

[Crazyeddiethefirst]

I have Eneloops dating back from 2014 still going strong. Amazing how well they're holding up.

Same here. Really surprised that they do so well after literally thousands of cycles. By contrast, I have some Tenergy that after 2 years were worn out.

 

[MidnightDistortions]

Same here. Really surprised that they do so well after literally thousands of cycles. By contrast, I have some Tenergy that after 2 years were worn out.

Yeah mine still run like new, low internal resistance. Nickel metal batteries are pretty amazing in their own way, still have some Rayovacs from 1999 that will power lights. Not high end lights but they'll push 30 lumens at least. They don't have the same runtime as new.

I think Eneloops are very well designed that they're pushing the boundaries for the nickel metal battery tech.

 

[Burgess]

No exaggeration, folks --

I still have Sanyo Eneloop AA's
which were the Very First ones I ever purchased
in Summer of 2007, (mfg. in 2006) from Circuit City.

Use these EVERY SINGLE DAY in my 47's
Quark AA 2-cell flashlight.
# truth

Yes, of course I have purchased LOTS more
of these beauties since then.
Truly a game changer in the Flashaholic world.

No surprise they now have high internal resistance
(perhaps 2.20 on my Maha charger)
But they keep on going and going . . . .

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

I still have Sanyo Eneloop AA's
which were the Very First ones I ever purchased
in Summer of 2007, (mfg. in 2006) from Circuit City.

Use these EVERY SINGLE DAY in my 47's
Quark AA 2-cell flashlight.

Hey, I have you beat by a few months. I still have eight AA Eneloops I bought back in 2006, shortly after they first came out. I also used them in my 47's Quark for many years. However, they eventually wore down so that the flashlight was no longer able to put out max brightness. So, I relegated them to use in remote controls and a small radio. They're still working, and hold a charge well. Not much power output from them anymore, but after almost 18 years I can hardly complain.

 

[Christoph]

I just charged a set of three AAA dated from 2005 they have been used a lot they are currently on my xtar dragon for a refresh. The IR on them is over 100m ohms on two of them and 210 m ohms on the other I will let you know what the refresh value is. One has Chinese characters on it the others do not.
Update: the shown capacity on my Xtar Dragon was around 750mah charge and 650mah discharge. Not bad for 19 year old batteries.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Out of curiosity, I ran 2 discharge tests on my Skyrc MC3000 today. Discharge rate of 0.25A, down to 0.9v. That should allow for about the highest capacity level, while still providing a realistic drain in a 1xAA flashlight of about 30-40 lumens.

The first Eneloop has been lightly used, and has a date stamp of 2017. It tested at 1906mAh, total energy is 2.327Wh. That's its minimum rating when new, and it has held up very well. Aging alone doesn't seem to degrade Eneloops much, at least over a period of several years.

The second Eneloop has been used regularly, and has a date code of 2012. Its capacity is 1801mAh, total energy 2.151Wh. Considering its age and use, it has held up very well.

BTW, I also tested a brand-new Amazon rechargeable NiMH battery. (Chinese made.) It was almost exactly the same as the 2017 Eneloop. I doubt the Amazon batteries will hold up as well as my Eneloops have.

 

[Christoph]

High IR but still useful 19 year old batteries.
c

 

[CelticCross74]

I have two sets of 4 Eneloops and both sets still charge like new and hold their charge like new. They are both over TEN YEARS OLD.

 

[Rossymeister]

I have two sets of 4 Eneloops and both sets still charge like new and hold their charge like new. They are both over TEN YEARS OLD.

Eneloops are excellent batteries. I hope they never stop making them.

 

[The Hawk]

The Eneloops I have in a couple flashlights are probably 8 years old. So far so good.

 

[CelticCross74]

I have a couple sets of Eneloop Pro's including the XX version. Had them for years now and even THEY charge full up no problems. They are expensive but more than worth it. I wish Eneloop made C and D cells.

 

[N8N]

I have a couple sets of Eneloop Pro's including the XX version. Had them for years now and even THEY charge full up no problems. They are expensive but more than worth it. I wish Eneloop made C and D cells.

For low draw stuff like old flashlights I use the cheap 4xAAA to C and 3xAA to D adapters so I can use NiMH. That way I don't have to deal with bigger cells and can stock only two standard sizes and can steal cells from a flashlight if needed.

 

[dc38]

For low draw stuff like old flashlights I use the cheap 4xAAA to C and 3xAA to D adapters so I can use NiMH. That way I don't have to deal with bigger cells and can stock only two standard sizes and can steal cells from a flashlight if needed.

Any triple AA Parallel AA to D adapters you'd recommend?

 

[N8N]

Any triple AA Parallel AA to D adapters you'd recommend?

I think they're all pretty much the same, Chinese made units.

These are the most recent ones that I bought

Amazon.com

Amazon.com: DSLRKIT 4AAA(LR03) to C Size Parallel Battery Adapter Holder (Pack of 12) : Electronics

Amazon.com: DSLRKIT 4AAA(LR03) to C Size Parallel Battery Adapter Holder (Pack of 12) : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[dc38]

I think they're all pretty much the same, Chinese made units.

These are the most recent ones that I bought

Amazon.com

Amazon.com: DSLRKIT 4AAA(LR03) to C Size Parallel Battery Adapter Holder (Pack of 12) : Electronics

Amazon.com: DSLRKIT 4AAA(LR03) to C Size Parallel Battery Adapter Holder (Pack of 12) : Electronics

www.amazon.com

Thanks!

 

[Ninox1]

I have approximately 30 Eneloops most of which are older than 10 years and some as old as 20 years. I use them primarily because they retain their charge for a long time which gives me confidence that charged cells will work properly when I decide to use them. My main use is for flashlights and to power photographic flash units which use four cells. Recently, several of my cells have produced fault warnings on charge and initially I tinkered with 'restoring' them but eventually discarded them after my flash would not not work in the field. The main problem with using questionable cells is that one dodgy cell in a device that uses multiple cells, can let you down badly. New Eneloops are reliable and cheap so my current strategy is to discard any cell that wont charge properly.