The Energizer "D" rechargable battery is actually just a AA battery and air

[xultar]

Energizer "D" Battery Exposed
A NaturalNews PhotoTour by Mike Adams
http://www.naturalnews.com/PhotoTour_Energizer_Batteries_2.html

Why are Energizer "D" batteries so weak? To find out the answer, I decided to take one apart and see what was inside. As this picture reveals, inside the "D" battery is a much smaller battery! The Energizer "D" battery is actually just a cheap plastic shell surrounding a much smaller, low-capacity battery similar in size and capacity to an "AA" battery (2500 mAh).

This explains why the Energizer "D" rechargeable battery has such low power capacity to begin with. The company doesn't even try to make it a high-capacity "D" battery, it seems. They're filling part of the inside of the battery body with nothing more than cheap plastic and useless air. And how much does Energizer charge for this "D" battery? More than $12 each!

It's true: These inferior "D" batteries cost around $25 for a pack of two. These are known as "Energizer E2 Rechargeable Batteries, Size D," rated at 2500 mAh each. (mAh is a measure of how much power is contained in the battery. It's sort of like the fuel tank in your car. The bigger the number, the more power the battery delivers.)

By comparison, an Energizer AA battery rated at the exact same capacity -- 2500 mAh -- costs about THREE dollars!

---------------snip read more @ the link above---------------------------

Fucking greedy ass bastards.

[sendero]

1. This was obvious..

... to anyone that picked one of them up. :)

Energizer is not the only battery that's this way, but you can go online and buy no-name batteries that are real Ds.

[meegbear]

2. They were doing the same thing with contact lenses a few years back ...

they were selling daily wear, weekly wear and monthly wear contacts, each with a higher price, when they were all the same lens.

[liberal N proud]

5. Energizer does not even make contact lenses

WOW

[Last Stand]

28. Er, uh, Bausch & Lomb = "They" nt

[liberal N proud]

32. OP was about Energizer

Just saying

[xultar]

8. Yup When I realised that I stopped buying contact lenses and now I wear glasses.

[ecstatic]

54. I didn't know that. Wow! nt

[ThomWV]

3. I think your facts are a little bit questionable

Last year I bought several rechargeable 2500mAh AA batteries. They are expensive and not easy to find because they are an exceptionally high capacity battery for the AA size, as I recall the common capacity for AA batteries is either 1500 or 1800 mAh.

That said I have no doubt that your link does indeed expose a rip off, but that the initial comparison is a bit disingenuous.

[liberal N proud]

6. Consumer knowledge of portable energy sources is poor

Most people buy portable energy (batteries) based on what is in the store when they go buy them.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. Batteries Get Cheaper And Better At A Pretty Rapid Rate

Energizer AA 2450 maH, four for $12.40: http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-NH15BP-4-2450mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00000J47L/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1251375119&sr=8-4

As an electrical engineer, I've happily watched batteries of all sorts get better rapidly for a decade or two. Today's batteries have several times more capacity than batteries from, say, the 1980s - which also presents a danger because they can generate a huge amount of heat (or explode spectacularly, in the case of LiPo batteries) if misused, say, in a poorly-designed circuit.

[xultar]

11. Did you read the story @ the link?

[sl8]

13. 2500 mAh is pretty average for an "AA" NiMh cell.

Are you sure you're not thinking of the low discharge type cells (e.g., Eneloop, Hybrid)? They tend to be a little lower capacity.

The Energizer "AA" cells I bought about two years ago are rated as 2500 mAh and even back then 2700 mAh cells were available. Curiously, Energizer's current AA offering is only rated at 2450 mAh.

My NiMh "D" cells are rated at 12000 mAh. There's no way I'd buy any rated less than 10000 mAh, let alone the 2500 mAh Energizers that the OP mentioned.


http://www.thomasdistributing.com/

[Fumesucker]

18. The Eneloops have a couple of advantages though..

First, you can store them for a considerable period of time without them going dead, unlike many other NiMH batteries (the Eneloops are low self discharge).

Second, the internal resistance is considerably lower than just about all of the higher capacity NiMH batteries and their voltage is higher than most other NiMH batteries. Under load the Eneloops maintain a considerably higher voltage than a lot of other NiMH AA cells.

If you are using AA rechargeable cells in something that draws a lot of current like a digital camera or an external flash unit, the Eneloops are better because their voltage doesn't sag under load as much and it's higher to start with. In terms of watt hours per cell the Eneloops are right up there with the higher capacity cells because of their higher voltage (VxAxtime)=watt hours.

The Kodak low self discharge cells (precharged) run a fairly close second and are easier to find in the stores, fwiw..

[madokie]

4. unbelievable

No wait, nothing is unbelievable when it comes to money

+1

[formercia]

7. Paying more for less

Last Year, I needed some D-sized rechargeables. After checking the price and capacity, I decided to DIY a solution. I cut some D diameter tree branches, the proper length and drilled a hole through the center to fit a AA LiMH cell. This way, I use the same size batteries without the need for a special recharger. Sure, they don't last as long as a D-sized Alkaline, but I can carry more AA's for the same weight.

[onenote]

9. may be true, but keep in mind the author of the linked article is trying to sell his own batteries

If you read through the entire article, it turns out the guy is selling batteries that compete with energizer. They may well be better batteries (in fact, my experience with Powerex rechargeables is that they are very good) but it does may me pause before accepting everything he says as the whole truth and nothing but the truth

[anigbrowl]

55. ding ding ding!

I have some of these D-cell rechargeables - actually, I have a whole bunch of different sizes, with the larger ones being shells for the AA batteries. Like many other thngs, you can get them a lot cheaper at Costco than you will at a retailer.

Sure, there is a hefty markup for the C and D-size shells...because not many people make stuff in that form factor any more and this provides a workaround. Incredibly, I knew this when I bought the battery pack because I picked it up and read the documentation carefully before I bought it - duh!

[MercutioATC]

12. THIS is what a rechargable D battery should look like (and cost):

http://www.all-battery.com/cardnimhdsize10000mahhighcapacityrechargeablebattery2xd.aspx

10000mAh

$14 per pair.

(For the record, I also own Powerex batteries. They're great, but a little pricier unless you find them on sale)

[SidDithers]

14. What's the charge time like for a 10,000 mAh battery?...

Is it a linear relationship, 4 times as long as a 2500 mAh?

Sid

[MercutioATC]

17. Good question. I've never timed the D cells I have.

I have a few different chargers and a lot of rechargeable batteries, so I've never really kept track.

[Statistical]

41. Depends on the charger.... so

if it is a charger that was built assuming a relatively low current they can take a while say 15 hours.

However the same companies who might high amp batteries also make high current chargers which brings the charge time back down.

So high amp battery is compatible with low current chargers BUT for best results use a high current charger.

[FormerDittoHead]

16. Wow! I use the same supplier and brand! I thought it was a secret!

I bought their 2600mAh AA's - They're GREAT.

DUers - these guys / batteries are a FRACTION of the price of the 'name' brands and BETTER!

[Pangolin2]

30. I bought a bunch (20 I think) of those Tenergy AA batts from them but was disappointed

they worked okay for a short while but after 5 or 6 recharges they just fizzled. I have about 3 left that still
take and hold charge - threw out all the others. :shrug:

[MercutioATC]

33. They DO have a 6-month warranty.

I do some photography, so I have a few dozen rechargeable AA batteries.

I occasionally get a bad one, but I'm still using some that I bought 5 years ago.

[Pangolin2]

36. I probably should have sent them back but the shipping and hassle were more

trouble and expense than I cared to mess with. Maybe the charger (also got from them) doesn't work as well as it should?....oh well

[MercutioATC]

38. No idea. Try Powerex when they're on sale.

Most of my rechargeables are Powerex, and I've had great luck with them.

[Pangolin2]

61. Roger, wilco.

:D

[slackmaster]

15. Whether or not this is true, a four D-cell Maglite makes a much better weapon than any AA-cell light

[xultar]

22. I keep one next to my bed. I want that up close crack @ a person if they

come into my house.

[madmom]

29. My daughter calls that "the be good stick", crack some one on the head with it and tell them BE GOOD

[Pangolin2]

31. Especially when loaded with old carbon zinc batteries!

:D

[Statistical]

47. I love gadgets but nothing beats the basics.

I keep the 2 cell version w/ plain jane non-rechargeable in it next to the bed (and gunvault).

In an emergency simple is best and alkalines will last 5,6 years without losing a meaningful amount of the charge.

BTW: they make LED "lightbulbs" for them now. It triples the runtime.
http://www.amazon.com/MAGLITE-SH34DCW6J-3-Watt-Flashlight-Upgrade/dp/B000GL95IQ/ref=pd_sim_e_1

Need to match the "bulb" with number of cells.

[FormerDittoHead]

19. If you use the D cell appliance frequently, here's a way to use 2 AA nimh's to replace a D cell.

http://www.uxcell.com/converter-case-into-battery-cell-holder-p-11650.html

Two bucks each...

I don't have a lot of use for D cells, and even fewer that I would want rechargables in.

Rechargeables don't hold their charge as alkalines do, and the only thing I use D cells for are emergency flashlights...

[formercia]

20. Not very good technically

If you use batteries in parallel, standard procedure is to use isolation diodes in series with each cell to prevent a low capacity cell from draining the higher capacity cell upon discharge. With 2 single cells in parallel, it would be very inefficient.

[Pangolin2]

34. That's a clever idea but why not fix it to take 3 of the AAs?

I'd buy some if they did that...
;-)

[Schema Thing]

21. Now just how did you become so interested in this subject?

Is this a case of a battery company treating their main customers as if they are mechanically naive because they are women?

:smoke:

[xultar]

24. If a woman is using a D batteries I don't think she's so naive.

[MercutioATC]

35. Hehe

Many won't get that, but it's funny :)

[Pangolin2]

37. Just watch out for any that use B batteries

!

:rofl:

[Davis_X_Machina]

42. They exist. Used in multiples of 22.7 volts, IIRC for up to 90+ volts.

....Widely used for tube radios...either portables, or home models used off the grid -- 'farm radios' -- sixty to seventy years ago. Antique radio community use arrays of 9 volt batteries in their place.

[Pangolin2]

60. I figured not many DUers were old enuf to remember 'em

:D

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

23. "fucking-ass greedy bastards" ??

Man, so much hostility... In what are they slighting people?

The battery is indeed "D" sized and the 2500mAh capacity is accurately advertised.
So they feel like charging a premium - if people don't want to pay more for that brand they wont.

[xultar]

25. I aid fucking greedy ass bastards. If you're going to quote me make it right.

Second, what fucking planet are you from?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

26. way to ignore the question.

Just because I don;t share your contempt for a product (that is not mislabelled) I MUST be out of touch.

Sorry about misquoting your profanity, I guess. :eyes:

[anigbrowl]

57. same difference. So they're bad value, don't buy them.

I can't summon up much sympathy for consumers that don't bother to read the specs on what they by. Maybe it's because I'm slightly autistic and eyeball that stuff before making a purchase, but spotting a bad deal doesn't seem all that hard to me.

[Javaman]

27. They are doing what others did honestly for a few years now...

I get AA batteries and an "adapter battery jacket" that allows me to make a AA into a D.

works in a pinch.

Energizer is just being shitty and greedy over something that, with a little bit of exploration, one could do themselves.

it's crappy that they charge 12 fucking bucks for something, that I put together for less that 3 bucks.

[yodermon]

39. Eneloops from Costco don't even try to hide it.

See those "D" and "C" cell batteries in the pack? they're just shells to fit around the AAs so they'll fit inside a device that takes the larger sizes!!
The recharger only takes the AAs as you can see. No deception required.

I agree with your OP, Energizer is ripping off the consumer and there should be a class action lawsuit!

another pic:

[Romulox]

40. The battery is exactly as described on the packaging. What is the point of all this?

The mah rating is listed on the packaging. And it's in a 'D' cell configuration.

Taking the thing apart proves absolutely nothing. The misleading critique (oh noes! it's not stuffed full of nickel metal hydride! What a rip off! :eyes: ) couple with a sales pitch makes my BS meter go off the charts. :shrug:

[progressoid]

43. And George Bush was just as stupid and incompetent as we expected.

But it didn't keep us from slicing him open to expose his hollow interior.

[Romulox]

46. I enjoyed the metaphor, but I have no idea how it applies to my post.. nt

[progressoid]

52. Well...

Just as many voters expected they were getting a decent president (he was, after all, a State Governor, a Yale/Harvard graduate and a Bush so how bad could he be?), many consumers expect they are getting a "D" strength battery too. After all, it looks like a "D" battery. It says it's a "D" battery. And it's priced like a "D" battery right? There is an expectation that one is buying a "D" strength cell, not a "AA" wrapped in a D jacket.



Unfortunately, with George W, we didn't even get a "AA". We barely got a button battery.

[petronius]

45. Does anyone other than Energizer make a 2500 mAh D cell?

I agree that the packaging is accurate, but it also seems that Energizer is taking advantage of consumers who believed that the amount of power in a battery is indicated by the AA, C, D, etc (as is typically the case) and may not read the fine print.

However, the sales pitch is out of place (although I will say that I've had very good luck with Powerex) and the tone is inappropriately sensational...

[Romulox]

48. I don't think cell size = power. It's a form factor, and you need the one that fits your device

My guess is that devices that take 'D' cells are generally older devices (flashlights, tape players) that simply don't tend to be as power hungry as devices designed around high capacity 'AA' cells (digital cameras).

My point is that the capacity is listed on the package. Cutting apart is only impressive to the gullible, and then (just as a favor!) the blogger offers to sell you his brand of cells (presumably stuffed to overflowing with nickle and metal and acid and stuff.)

[Statistical]

49. My only "issue" would be the pricing.

Most people assume (caveat emptor) that a $15 battery is going to last longer than a $3 one.

While what Energizer is doing is not illegal it is kinda sleazy.

No problem with re-using the same cell. They can mass produce 3x as many cells and use them all in AA, C, D. 2500mAh is more than a D cell got just a couple years ago.

The issue is they are taking a $3 product, slapping a $1 shell on it and selling it at 500% markup. Sleazy.

If they simply sold it as a re-usable sleave you could buy (insert a AA) for $1 or they had more reasonable pricing it would be fine.

That being said buyer beware and they do indicate the capacity.

[petronius]

53. I understand that, and you're right: cell size =/= power

However, there is typically a correlation between size and power and it appears that Energizer may be taking advantage of the consumer confusion that results from that...

[Kaleva]

56. I don't buy a device to fit my preferred battery.....

I buy a device and then go to the store to buy the batteries it requires if they are not included.

[petronius]

62. Exactly. And I suspect that most consumers in your position assume that

a D cell is a D cell is a D cell. In this case it appears that Energizer has produced a remarkably weak D cell, and I'm not sure why...

[anigbrowl]

58. taking advantage of consumers...

...is perfectly fine with me. Lying to consumers is not, but if you have the information there and people don't bother to read it, why is it the duty of a business to help them out? Personally I feel like this is a case of lazy consumers subsidizing informed consumers, and since I fit in the latter group I'm happy to enjoy the cost saving.

[petronius]

63. I think there are limits. 'Legal' and 'right' are not synonymous, and 'caveat emptor'

can only be stretched so far in my opinion. I'm not totally convinced that Energizer has crossed the line here, but it is an oddly expensive weak battery...

[anigbrowl]

65. It's not that expensive

As you've probably noticed, the guy's review plays pretty fast and loose with the facts too. I wouldn't buy the energizer because i don't think those batteries are ever a good deal...I really don't have a problem with picking it up and thinking 'hmm, bad value - get something else'. If others buy it because they just like the Energizer brand or the bunny, well too bad.

I don't see anything actually deceptive going on here even though I don't care for this brand. FYI I spend quite a lot of money on batteries - working in film/video, I go through several hundred $ worth per year, not to mention $300 charging units and suchlike for specialist batteries.

[Kaleva]

44. Best to puchase items that use AA batteries then

[Romulox]

50. #1) These batteries are $12/2 at Best Buy. #2) check out this google search on "Energizer E2...

"Energizer E2 Rechargeable Batteries, Size D"

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Energizer+E2+Rechargeable+Batteries%2C+Size+D%2C%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Have we stumbled upon an Aryan Nation rechargeable battery pyramid scheme? :wow: :rofl:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=3703718&type=product&id=1051384054289&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3703718

[joeybee12]

51. Bastards! n/t

[Xithras]

59. The D cell battery is more than 100 years old .

And the originals only had a couple hundred mah. The ONLY reason that cells of that size are still used today is compatability....there have been portable lithium batteries demonstrated that pack more than 15,000MAH capacity into a form factor smaller than a AAA. We don't use them because introducing new battery formats is extremely expensive, and because people want "new" battery technology to be available for decives with "old" battery formats. This is especially common in rechargables.

The new style battery is stuck in an adaptor, where it will work with older devices.

[WhiteTara]

64. Costco had a kit with 8 rechargable AA batteries

and the shells for C and D sizes. Also some AAA batteries with a charger for the 2 size batteries. I think the whole kit was about $25.