Batteries that don't want to die?

[kodabear]

Just thought I would share this. I have the 1st Generation Apple keyboard and trackpads that both use AA batteries. I use them with my
MBP Pro 13" (2020) w/ the LG 24MD4KL Monitor. Normally in the past the AA batteries may last 2-3 months and need replacing. It's
been that long since I installed fresh Lithium batteries, at least 2+ months and the batteries in both the keyboard and trackpad remain charged at 100%.
I'm not complaining and maybe I should send this post/praise to the people at Energizer. But, I am curious if anyone else has experienced
this before. It's like having a keyboard and trackpad with built in batteries and are constantly plugged in.

 

[chrfr]

Just thought I would share this. I have the 1st Generation Apple keyboard and trackpads that both use AA batteries. I use them with my
MBP Pro 13" (2020) w/ the LG 24MD4KL Monitor. Normally in the past the AA batteries may last 2-3 months and need replacing. It's
been that long since I installed fresh Lithium batteries, at least 2+ months and the batteries in both the keyboard and trackpad remain charged at 100%.
I'm not complaining and maybe I should send this post/praise to the people at Energizer. But, I am curious if anyone else has experienced
this before. It's like having a keyboard and trackpad with built in batteries and are constantly plugged in.

I just use NiMH rechargeables for applications like this. Low self-discharge batteries like the Panasonic Eneloop batteries last months.

 

[Phil77354]

I agree with @chrfr. I only use Panasonic Eneloop batteries for all of my devices. Also note that Amazon's own rechargeable batteries MAY be produced by Panasonic, according to some reviewers (and they are less expensive).

Costco frequently has Eneloop battery sets that are a good starting point.

For quite a few years, NLee's reviews on Amazon were the gold standard for this type of product. See the links below for some examples. The final link is to the AmazonBasics battery, which (at the time) NLee concluded was the same as the Panasonic Eneloop. These reviews are all a few years old, but I would still follow his advice:

Check out this Amazon review of Panasonic K-KJ55MC84CZ eneloop Power Pack; 8AA, 4AAA, and Advanced Battery 3 Hour Quick Charger

The BEST package to get if you want to start using rechargeable batteries

www.amazon.com

Check out this Amazon review of NEW Panasonic Eneloop 4th generation 8 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries -FREE BATTERY HOLDER- Rechargeable 2100 times replaces eneloop (3rd gen) AA 1800 Cycle, Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries

What's in a name? (That which we call an eneloop by any other name would perform as well)

www.amazon.com

Check out this Amazon review of 12 AA Panasonic Eneloop Pro (Replace sanyo XX) NiMH 2550mAh (Min. 2450mAh) Rechageable Batteries + Free Battery Holder

To PRO, or not to PRO? That is the question

www.amazon.com

Check out this Amazon review of Amazon Basics 4-Pack Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries, 2000 mAh, Recharge up to 1000x Times, Pre-Charged

No, those are NOT rebranded first-gen Sanyo eneloop cells

www.amazon.com

 

[colodane]

Lithium batteries are excellent for applications with low current drain - such as your usage in keyboards, etc. Their main disadvantage is cost, so most people will use a good quality alkaline which will not last as long but will be less expensive overall.

Be aware that lithium and alkaline chemistries have a different discharge curve (voltage vs. time with a given current load), with alkaline being more gradual and lithium very steep. Your lithium batteries will maintain their voltage at an almost constant level until they are almost completely out of energy and then the voltage will drop rapidly. The battery monitoring circuitry in your devices is calibrated assuming the usage of the recommended alkaline batteries. So the "% remaining" reading you are getting is not accurate with the lithium batteries you are using. If it says, for example, "95%", you might only actually have only a few percent remaining. That is nothing to be concerned about as long as you have spare batteries available, as you won't get much warning before you need to replace batteries.

 

[kodabear]

Lithium batteries are excellent for applications with low current drain - such as your usage in keyboards, etc. Their main disadvantage is cost, so most people will use a good quality alkaline which will not last as long but will be less expensive overall.

Be aware that lithium and alkaline chemistries have a different discharge curve (voltage vs. time with a given current load), with alkaline being more gradual and lithium very steep. Your lithium batteries will maintain their voltage at an almost constant level until they are almost completely out of energy and then the voltage will drop rapidly. The battery monitoring circuitry in your devices is calibrated assuming the usage of the recommended alkaline batteries. So the "% remaining" reading you are getting is not accurate with the lithium batteries you are using. If it says, for example, "95%", you might only actually have only a few percent remaining. That is nothing to be concerned about as long as you have spare batteries available, as you won't get much warning before you need to replace batteries.

Interesting information. Yes, I do have spare batteries and I could swear I have used Lithum batteries before but never experienced having them always show 100% before. I may be wrong. I have used Apples newer keyboards with the built in batteries that I believe are lithium and they never remained at 100% charge. Not sure that's comparing apples to apples however.

 

[colodane]

I have used Apples newer keyboards with the built in batteries that I believe are lithium and they never remained at 100% charge. Not sure that's comparing apples to apples however.

Yes, that is a different situation. Products designed with internal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (such as the newer Apple trackpads and keyboards) use a different battery chemistry than the "primary lithium" batteries such as the AA cells you are using. The "battery remaining" indicators in these newer devices are calibrated for the rechargeable lithium-ion chemistry, and are therefore accurate.

The bottom line is that you are fine using the primary lithium cells, but it is good to be aware of the situation with the battery monitoring circuitry.

 

[kodabear]

Lithium batteries are excellent for applications with low current drain - such as your usage in keyboards, etc. Their main disadvantage is cost, so most people will use a good quality alkaline which will not last as long but will be less expensive overall.

Be aware that lithium and alkaline chemistries have a different discharge curve (voltage vs. time with a given current load), with alkaline being more gradual and lithium very steep. Your lithium batteries will maintain their voltage at an almost constant level until they are almost completely out of energy and then the voltage will drop rapidly. The battery monitoring circuitry in your devices is calibrated assuming the usage of the recommended alkaline batteries. So the "% remaining" reading you are getting is not accurate with the lithium batteries you are using. If it says, for example, "95%", you might only actually have only a few percent remaining. That is nothing to be concerned about as long as you have spare batteries available, as you won't get much warning before you need to replace batteries.

Lithium battery update. Just overnight the lithium’s dropped from 100% to 15%.