Hey what’s everybody’s favorite AA rechargeable?

[codyman]

3 hours ago, daniel said:

The ISDT chargers also let you dial the current used as well as handling multiple chemistries (not at the same time).

Yeah I just got an 8 Bay one of those.  Set it to .5 amps charging and it's nice that the whole charger is powered by USB.  So far so good.  Paid I think $60 for it?

[DanieldH]

12 minutes ago, codyman said:

 it's nice that the whole charger is powered by USB. 

Yepp, the 8 bay version is USB powered. 16 and 24 versions come with a 12V PSU. One nice feature for 12v ecosystems like vehicles is that you can set the max total power/current of the unit.

[sonicfruit]

Was about to ask for charger recommendations for the LADDA 2450s. Ikea sells their own charger but it's pretty basic, and seems to take longer than it should to charge. The ISDT looks great -- I like to have a visual reference!

[Johnny Karlsson]

8 minutes ago, sonicfruit said:

Was about to ask for charger recommendations for the LADDA 2450s. Ikea sells their own charger but it's pretty basic, and seems to take longer than it should to charge. The ISDT looks great -- I like to have a visual reference!

Yep, I have one of the Ikea 12-bay chargers (storhogen), but I mostly use the Maha Energy Corp. Powerex MH-C9000PRO. Also recently picked up one of the USB powered ones Dan Izen recommended on this site. I haven't used it much yet, but it seems to work good. I hooked it up straight to a solar panel that has a USB port - and it charged up a couple AA just fine.

[DanieldH]

10 hours ago, sonicfruit said:

Was about to ask for charger recommendations for the LADDA 2450s. Ikea sells their own charger but it's pretty basic, and seems to take longer than it should to charge. The ISDT looks great -- I like to have a visual reference!

The ISDT N8 is USB powered @5V. The N16 and N24 need 12V and come with a PSU and a non locking 5.5mm DC power connector that sits firmly. I did not like the USB charging concept. The N16 and N24 also have a USB port, that is currently only meaningful for firmware updates that don't exist so far afaik. There are lots of things that could be improved by firmware, but I have a feeling this will never happen. 

Some say, it is difficult to take out AAs but though they are firmly in the bay, you'll find a technique quickly to take them out. Ppl reported that the units deep discharge (or overtickle?) batteries when they are stored in there over long periods of time. So keep that in mind.

I have 2 N24 and 48 white Ladda2450 and am quite happy. 

[sonicfruit]

5 hours ago, DanieldH said:

The ISDT N8 is USB powered @5V. The N16 and N24 need 12V and come with a PSU and a non locking 5.5mm DC power connector that sits firmly. I did not like the USB charging concept.....

I have 2 N24 and 48 white Ladda2450 and am quite happy. 

Thanks! Very helpful. I am curious what objections you have to USB charging.

[DanieldH]

15 hours ago, sonicfruit said:

I am curious what objections you have to USB charging.

Depends on your other setups, and what pros/cons apply to you more. I particularly dIdn't like the initial MicroUSB connector. With its 5V, it even had limitations on maximum charging currents, though I rarely charge fast. Nowadays N8 apparently has USB-C (and even needs 12V on there to reach full performance?).

That said, I'd even prefer coax power connectors to USB-C as they're simpler and easier to customize, sit tighter and are probably more durable.

[chrismedr]

On 12/15/2021 at 1:35 AM, sonicfruit said:

Was about to ask for charger recommendations for the LADDA 2450s. Ikea sells their own charger but it's pretty basic, and seems to take longer than it should to charge.

I have the ikea 8 bay AC charger and it‘d definitely slow, and it seems to stop charging a bit earlier then full (if I put the batteries in another charger they charge quite a bit more).

 

there is a new grey 4 bay ikea charger that should be faster.

 

the new grey 2450 ladda seem to be very similar to the older white ones, the 1900 are reported to be good as well, but from what I‘ve read rebranded eneloops.

[LoganSound]

On 11/22/2021 at 5:19 PM, codyman said:

It would be sweet if someone could come up with a lithium AA that is rechargeable and has the same runtime as the throw away ones.  I know amazon has some lithium rechargeable AA's these days but I've heard that they are dubious at best.

I just took these XTAR Lithium-Ion rechargeables for a spin based on a recommendation from r/LocationSound. I did a test vs Eneloop Pros in Lectrosonics SMQVs at 250mW, Eneloops lasted just over 4 hours, XTAR made it 5:45! They are different from previous Lithium Ion offerings in two key ways:

1. No stupid built in USB C port that limits capacity

2. unique (as far as I know) internal circuit that drops voltage to 1.1V before dying so you can get some notification on devices that expect the diminishing voltage of alkalines

https://www.amazon.com/Batteries-Charger-XTAR-Lithium-Battery/dp/B0CF8ZNZ33

[LarryF]

I have ordered some from Amazon and will do run down capacity tests this weekend. Sounds interesting.

Larry F

[r.paterson]

7 hours ago, LarryF said:

I have ordered some from Amazon and will do run down capacity tests this weekend. Sounds interesting.

Larry F

The Xtar AA are my go to in all my various  Lectro tx's.. Example Dbu tx Ladda Aa is 5 hrs run time, Xtar AA is over 7hrs run time.. Smb tx Ladda Aa 3. 5hrs. Xtar AA is nearly 5.5 hrs. 

[Derek H]

Interesting, seems like the AA lithium rechargeable is evolving.. here’s a link to the XTAR brand’s FAQ about these: https://www.xtar.cc/news/faqs-about-xtar-4150mwh-aa-li-ion-battery.html

 

about half way through this caught my attention… 

 

“They are also not suitable for radios due to the noise caused by electromagnetic interference.”

 Obviously not great for us if you’re trying to use these in let’s say… an IFBlue receiver or any other body pack style receiver. Of course some testing needs to be done. 

[r.paterson]

2 minutes ago, Derek H said:

Interesting, seems like the AA lithium rechargeable is evolving.. here’s a link to the XTAR brand’s FAQ about these: https://www.xtar.cc/news/faqs-about-xtar-4150mwh-aa-li-ion-battery.html

 

about half way through this caught my attention… 

 

“They are also not suitable for radios due to the noise caused by electromagnetic interference.”

 Obviously not great for us if you’re trying to use these in let’s say… an IFBlue receiver or any other body pack style receiver. Of course some testing needs to be done. 

Yes I tested in a receiver and a tiny lift in rf noise floor.. I would only use the xtar in tx's, been using them in tx's for nearly 18 months and zero issues.. 

[LarryF]

That is interesting and good to have the warning. I might get the crew to test them in the IFBlue body pack receiver and see if there is a reduction in range. The plastic body will provide very little shielding between the battery and receiver guts.

Larry F

 

[resonate]

21 hours ago, r.paterson said:

Yes I tested in a receiver and a tiny lift in rf noise floor.. I would only use the xtar in tx's, been using them in tx's for nearly 18 months and zero issues.. 

Thank you Mr. Paterson!

Been considering those Xtar's too... So you say that noise have no effect on Transmitters, yes?  

I wonder if digital wireless may be affected though - Sony DWX is what I use. 

[r.paterson]

56 minutes ago, resonate said:

Thank you Mr. Paterson!

Been considering those Xtar's too... So you say that noise have no effect on Transmitters, yes?  

I wonder if digital wireless may be affected though - Sony DWX is what I use. 

I use them. In Lectro Digital Tx all the time.. No. Issues.. I wouldn't use them in receivers tho could desensitise the rf. 

[Ben B]

Side note regarding the XTAR 4150.

I got a couple to try in my A10Tx. I put my order without searching a lot about them, thinking they would be basically almost the same as the 14500 (besides the voltage) and they would charge in my ISDT N series charger. Because they have a regulated output cell, they do not work with the ISDT N Serie charger. You have to get their proprietary charger XTAR L4/L8.

[Rob Beal]

I just picked some XTARs up and noticed the same thing which is a bit disappointing, I was hoping the XTAR batteries whould charge in the ISDT charger as long as it's set to Lithium mode (or auto). But they don't register at all.

 

On the flip side, the XTAR L4, L8, and BC8 chargers will charge NiMh batteries like Eneloops at the same time as their own Li-ion batteries. So I may look into replacing my ISDT chargers with more XTAR chargers so I don't need to keep two types of chargers on my cart. If you go this route, just be aware that XTAR's "LC8" charger does NOT charge NiMh batteries. It's a bit confusing since the charger names are so similar, so take care when ordering.

[osa]

Curious if anyone might speak to performance in zaxcom urx50’s rx200’s or trx units? 

[Derek H]

Hey Rob, do you know what the difference is between the LC8 charger and the others?

[r.paterson]

On 4/30/2025 at 7:25 PM, LarryF said:

That is interesting and good to have the warning. I might get the crew to test them in the IFBlue body pack receiver and see if there is a reduction in range. The plastic body will provide very little shielding between the battery and receiver guts.

Larry F

 

Hi Larry, was just wondering if you or the guys had managed to test the Xtar AA yet?. Thanks Richard

[LarryF]

22 hours ago, r.paterson said:

Hi Larry, was just wondering if you or the guys had managed to test the Xtar AA yet?. Thanks Richard

Just started the rundown about an hour ago. This week has been pretty busy. 

Larry F

[Rob Beal]

On 5/7/2025 at 3:09 PM, Derek H said:

Hey Rob, do you know what the difference is between the LC8 charger and the others?

 

I've only had them for about a week myself, but from what I can tell, the L8 and BC8 chargers are identical and charge both Li-ion batteries and NiMh batteries, whereas the LC8 charger only charges Li-on batteries. So I don't really see any reason to buy that one.

[LarryF]

I did the first Xtar rundown at a 400 mAmp  discharge. My numbers confirm Richard's experience. The total power was 3400 mWatt/hr, which is below the manufacturer's rating of 4150 mWatt/hr. They may do better under a smaller discharge current. Richard's run time of 7+ hours is right in line with my readings.

 

The battery did give a 1+ hour warning by dropping the Voltage to 1 Volt. Lectro transmitters will typically still deliver full performance at below 0.9 Volts. So the transmitter would show green for 6 hours and then go red blinking for 1 hour.

 

If you don't want to think Watts, the XTAR Amperage rating would be 2.43 Ahr but this is maintained at the full 1.5 Volts so the transmitter switching power supply will pull less current than from a battery whose Voltage falls as it is used. Remember that NiMh batteries are only 1.2 Volts during most of their discharge so to compare them to the XTAR battery, you have to increase the XTAR equivalent Amperage by 20% or 2.9 Ah.

 

If you like to think in  Watts, a typical good AA li-ion battery is 2.75 Watt/hr vs the XTAR 3.40 Watt/hr

 

I am running a second battery down now.

Larry F 

[Johnny Karlsson]

Thank You, Larry! I just ordered some, and will give these a try as well.