1.2v Rechargable NiMh batteries

[Axeman]

I've heard several differing reports about this. I use high capacity NiMH batteries for powering my GP32. Get good performance out of them, they last ages, but have seen reports they can damage the hardware. They are 1.2v rather than 1.5v but seem to work fine. I know that PC components can be stressed when underpowered, but was wondering if it was the same in this case.

Any views/knowledge would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Degenerate]

I was under the impression that they would damage the equipment over time, but apparently I was mistaken as someone corrected me in a recent post. I'm not entirely sure who's right now, I know that overpowering would shorten the lifespan of your GP32, as for underpowering, I'll have to do some more research. What capacity batteries are you using, and how long do they last? I'm trying to decide if it's worth paying through the nose for some very high capacity batteries or not

 

[Swiss_Cheeseman]

Yes they can. Some brands give a voltage of 1.5v, find them.

I recommend that you stop using them immediately.

 

[Degenerate]

To quote Vangard:

Undervoltage (2.4v total instead of 3v in the case of the GP32) won't damage electronics over time. Overvoltage could possibly damage equipment, but it would be pretty difficult to supply the GP32 with too many volts with batteries.

Now, who is correct?

 

[captain9fingers]

I've been using 1300mAh 1.2V Ni-MH rechargable batteries in my GBA ever since I bought it, I bought it when they first came out so whats that? A couple of years of constant use? and believe me it gets hammered, yet no sign of damage it still runs perfectly.

the buttons will probably wear out before the batteries do any damage, (I am no expert just stating my experiences)

 

[TJFBryant]

I agree , I don't think NIMh batteries 1.2v will harm the GP32 at all. I have been using them for the past 6 months for AT LEAST 4 hours everyday. Nothing has been malfunctioning as of yet. The Batteries work great. I would recommend them.

 

[captain9fingers]

I spoke to my mate who has a degree in electronics, he said that if a unit is underpowered it wont work or it would not work properly. He said if it works fine with 1.2V batteries then there is no problem, he also added that when using a normal 1.5V battery that the voltage drops anyway as the battery runs out. He said that a lot of battery operated electronics have regulators built into them and dont always require the full voltage anyway.

 

[Degenerate]

I did a bit of research, and it appears that rechargeable batteries supply ~1.4v, even though they are rated 1.2v, although they do drop a bit as they are used (like captain9fingers) said. I've not been able to find any 1.5v rated ones though, where did you find them Swiss_Cheeseman?

 

[Axeman]

Cool. To be honest, most of what has been said has just confirmed what I thought. I've been using these same batteries (2000MaH) in my digital camera for ages. The camera is an Olympus E-10, which sucks the power like hell, but I'v enever had any trouble and find that the NiMh cells last longer than even good alkalines.

I get my batteries from the same place I get my smartmedia cards - www.7dayshop.com . I got a 128mb SMC and a set of four 2000MaH NiMh Batteries for thirty quid! Baragin! They do take about 8-10 days to deliver, but they;re cheaper because they're based in Gurnsey and avoid the VAT.

Cheers all

 

[Axeman]

Oh yeah - I've also found that these batteries seem to have much the same lifespan as Alkalines when used in the GP32, and a set of four will mean that you;re never out of power - one set in, one set on charge...