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Is it safe to switch between NiMH and alkaline batteries?

Jane C

Jul 2, 2019
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Jul 2, 2019
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I use my battery-powered laser level with rechargeable NiMH batteries. But when I need the device but haven’t the time to recharge, I opt to use alkaline batteries. I know that this is generally okay for most devices, but has anyone here had any bad experience in doing this?
 

dave9

Mar 5, 2017
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Mar 5, 2017
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No bad experiences. IMO, devices designed to take AA format are made with the assumption that people will potentially be putting 1.5V alkalines in them.

What I would do is buy some LSD (low self discharge) NiMH, at least one backup set, then they're ready when you need them and have a while to recharge the drained set of cells when convenient.
 

Audioguru

Sep 24, 2016
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Sep 24, 2016
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Name Brand Ni-MH batteries made in the last 5 years have Eneloop chemistry that holds a charge for one year.
Older or cheap Chinese batteries are too old to hold a charge.

Name Brand alkaline batteries hold a charge for 10 years.
 
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