Got a company white-elephant gift-exchange coming up?

Fill a box with these and add a note card, "Gift not included."

Stark wrote:I just bought the 30 pack from lowes for $4 yesterday, Woot! Why do you torture me so!

aaa121 wrote:thats better than $11 for 60...

Not if you need to take the subway as we would in NYC. At $2.50 each way, it's the same as Woot's $5 s/h. Then there's the waste of time and energy. And most people don't pay sales tax when buying from Woot, while they would pay tax at Lowes.

This should be nominated for one of the worst woots ever. Unless your still buying your batteries from walgreens / CVS then this should not be a deal!

If you want to destroy your most expensive things with the cheapest power source available, then this woot is for you.

Heavy duty battery leak at almost 100% of the time if left discharged in a device, beware!

These were so cheap, I really wanted to see if it was actually more cost-effective to buy these over rechargeables.

A fair estimate for how often you would need to recharge these would be between the "Once a Week" for gamers (roughly 20 hours of play on a wiimote will drain it of power), and the "Once a Month/2 Months" for a television remote. So lets be conservative and say the average battery would need to be recharged once ever 3 weeks.

Now, knowing that the batteries have an effective lifespan of three years we can say that we'll get 52 recharges out of a battery (assuming we don't lose it, which happens a lot).

A high-quality AA rechargeable will run us between $2 - $3 each + Shipping.

These are being sold for about $0.10 each + Shipping. Multiply that by the number of times you would use a rechargeable before disposing of it and you get $5.20.

Looks like the rechargeables are still the better deal...as long as you have a iron-proof system to keep track of the little buggers. I'm always losing the things.

only use Alkalines. pass.

theimmc wrote:The only real reason for getting this is if you're an electronics manufacturer and you don't want to label your product "batteries not included". Everyone else should get alkaline, NiMH (preferably low self discharge) or lithium.

That's not entirely true. These are perfect for disposable one time uses, i.e. party favors or holiday items, i.e. New Year 2012 flashlights, which will probably be in the trash or a drawer, never to be seen again. Sadly, a lot of people don't take out the batteries to be used elsewhere.

165 comments on batteries?

These sound like carbon-zinc, not alkaline. Avoid at all cost. Almost worthless in modern day electronics. They tend to leak and have a short shelf life.

robbstumpf wrote:I disagree with this, check out the discharge graphs below:



Zinc has a shorter discharge rate as well as a steeper discharge curve, meaning the batteries will discharge quicker, and recycle flashes slower. For an alkaline battery that may have the following discharge pattern:

Flash Cycle | Recycle Time
1 | 10s
2 | 10.5s
3 | 11.5s
4 | 13s
5 | 15s
6 | 20s
Discharged

Where as the Zinc battery will look more like:

Flash Cycle | Recycle Time
1 | 10s
2 | 12.5s
3 | 17.5s
Discharged

NiMH would always be the best bet for speedlites.

These aren't Zinc-carbon. Heavy duty batteries are Zinc-chloride, which lasts a bit longer and has a more consistent output (the slope is less steep).

Azazelthefallen wrote:Probably not...considering that these aren't alkaline batteries (more power and charge).

Anyone is far better off getting the BOGOF deal for 40 AA/AAA Alkaline batteries from Toy R Us online at $6.99. Simply order 2 and pick them up in store and you'll be good to go for any kind of controllers you'll use

AA: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3889645

AAA: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3889655

thanks!!!

sdc100 wrote:Not if you need to take the subway as we would in NYC. At $2.50 each way, it's the same as Woot's $5 s/h. Then there's the waste of time and energy. And most people don't pay sales tax when buying from Woot, while they would pay tax at Lowes.

i guess it depends on where you live and mode of transportation. I assume this person didn't go to Lowes just for batteries!!!

Is it bad that I used my $10 off promo code on this?

gchung wrote:Some guitar players claim that the weaker heavy duty batteries makes their analog effects pedals sound much better...the awesome Eric Johnson being one of those players.

I'm a guitar player, but I could never be bothered with testing out the theory...hell, you actually have to be able to play *well* before things like that matter!

Heavy duty batteries aren't weaker so Johnson's opinion is purely psychological. Ordinary zinc-carbon, heavy duty (zinc chloride) and alkaline batteries all output 1.5 volts. They differ only in energy density, i.e. capacity or how long they last. Lithium batteries output a bit more (but often rated at 1.5V), and NiCad and NiMH rechargeables are weaker at 1.2 volts.

Since the voltage is the same, there is no reason the analog equipment would sound any different.

I just invested about $300 in a bunch of eneloops ($20 per AA 10-pack or AAA 12-pack at Costco) and a La Crosse BC-1000 intelligent charger.

Supposedly, the eneloop batteries (and other modern Low-self-discharge batteries) have a very long lifetime/cycle count.

Time will tell if this was the right thing to do, but I'm willing to pay the "green premium" so that I don't have as many batteries to throw out all the time...

kwelles wrote:Actually cold temperatures help maintain battery life, and unused batteries should be stored in the freezer. What in the be-jesus are you talking about?

Yes and no. Opinions about extending the shelf life of batteries in the freezer vary among experts. Some believe that stabilizing the chemicals by freezing will help, while others showed that it's useless. Energizer actually says that freezing is harmful because of condensation.

HOWEVER ... alkalines should not be used immediately after being taken out of the freezer. Nor should it be used in freezing temperatures. That's because performance is degraded in low temperatures. If the batteries are very cold, you should warm them by putting them in your underarms sitting on them, or by other means (not hot water though, unless you dry them).

bagbiter wrote:I plan to use the AAAs for my wife's pacemaker. in for 3!

Damn...best post ever!

sdc100 wrote:These are perfect for disposable one time uses, i.e. party favors or holiday items, i.e. New Year 2012 flashlights, which will probably be in the trash or a drawer, never to be seen again. Sadly, a lot of people don't risk destroying their expensive gadgets in order to save a few cents by re-using crappy cheap batteries.

FTFY.

Been using La Crosse + Eneloop for years. They are very good.

toybuilder wrote:I just invested about $300 in a bunch of eneloops ($20 per AA 10-pack or AAA 12-pack at Costco) and a La Crosse BC-1000 intelligent charger.

Wait so on the homepage it says that the batteries are 900mAh .. OK that's great for a AAA but really low capacity for a AA. As in, they must be using a AAA battery inside of a AA barrel for a AA battery if it is the same capacity.

My Energizer NiMH rechargeable AAAs are 850mAh, and my AAs are 2300mAh.

What about recycling?

Do these need to be recycled to used local battery collectors or can I just toss them into my waste bin?

poorhungrydoctor wrote:What about recycling?

Do these need to be recycled to used local battery collectors or can I just toss them into my waste bin?

Just toss them out. No mercury, so it's okay to do so.

You really, really don't want to run an RC helicopter on 900mAh batteries.

Get the rechargables: 3000 to 3500 mAh will make play time much more fun.

my girlfriend will love it for her train, lets be honest, she runs through batteries in that thing every use!

PlottyTooHotty wrote:my girlfriend will love it for her train, lets be honest, she runs through batteries in that thing every use!

DEFINITELY NOT TRAIN, THANKS WOOT! YOU VIOLATOR OF MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS! I SAID solstice! train! FAKE Yule log! Santa repudiator SKIN!!

The mAH rating on these is the dead giveaway that they aren't alkaline.

If they were alkaline, they would be rated at more like 1800 mAH instead of 900.

sdc100 wrote:Yes and no. Opinions about extending the shelf life of batteries in the freezer vary among experts. Some believe that stabilizing the chemicals by freezing will help, while others showed that it's useless.

HOWEVER ... alkalines should not be used immediately after being taken out of the freezer. Nor should it be used in freezing temperatures. That's because performance is degraded in low temperatures. If the batteries are very cold, you should warm them by putting them in your underarms sitting on them, or by other means (not hot water though, unless you dry them).

Lower temperatures reduces the rate of the discharge reaction whether "experts" "believe" it or not.

jweingardt wrote:Even if these aren't "alkaline" or "don't last as long as real batteries" still... where ya gonna find 120 batteries for 18 bucks (2 x shipped)!! it's worth it!!!!

costco

poorhungrydoctor wrote:What about recycling?

Do these need to be recycled to used local battery collectors or can I just toss them into my waste bin?

You should recycle all batteries no matter the chemistry. A lot of curbside recycling trucks take them nowadays and places like home depot has bins at the front of their stores for old CFls and batteries. A lot of technology companies will take employees' old batteries to be recycled, for free.

When I bother to read all of the comments before buying, I end up missing the deal because it's sold out. So this time I bought first and then read these comments - and now I wish I hadn't ordered 3! 

I had no idea of the differences between battery types! Why are these batteries even still being made, let alone sold here? I TRUSTED you, Woot!! Is there any way to cancel an order??? I'm pretty sure there isn't, but it can't hurt to ask!!

I was able to order 2 of the AA & 1 of the AAA - I don't know why people had problems with choosing one of each (or 2 of 1 & 1 of the other). It's the same as always when there's a choice. Select "I want two" or "three", then select which type for each one. All 3 will default to the first one you choose, but then you only need to click on the other kind to change it. If its sold out, it'll tell you. 

I also saw on the final order screen that I'd be getting "20" for each order instead of "60" each. I just assumed that was a typo - I sure hope I'm right...

Azazelthefallen wrote:Probably not...considering that these aren't alkaline batteries (more power and charge).

Anyone is far better off getting the BOGOF deal for 40 AA/AAA Alkaline batteries from Toy R Us online at $6.99. Simply order 2 and pick them up in store and you'll be good to go for any kind of controllers you'll use

AA: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3889645

AAA: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3889655

No one listens to logic here

duckfanbuck wrote:No one listens to logic here

I listen!!! I just didn't hear it in time!!

Greshmahg wrote:Not the best batteries the world has ever known, but 6 bucks for 60? I'll gladly pump these things through my devices and then go infect groundwater with all sorts of dangerous chemicals as I throw them into landfills without mercy, knowing that it's all worth it because I'm saving money. And if some environmentalist ever gets mad at me, I'll just point out that since they were weaker than some other brands, the chemicals are probably less toxic, to boot.

In for 3.

Love this post! LOL!

toybuilder wrote:I just invested about $300 in a bunch of eneloops ($20 per AA 10-pack or AAA 12-pack at Costco) and a La Crosse BC-1000 intelligent charger.

Supposedly, the eneloop batteries (and other modern Low-self-discharge batteries) have a very long lifetime/cycle count.

Time will tell if this was the right thing to do, but I'm willing to pay the "green premium" so that I don't have as many batteries to throw out all the time...

Normal low self-discharge (LSD) NiMH batteries like Eneloops are rated for 1000 recharge/discharge cycles. That's no different from ordinary cheaper NiMH batteries. However, Sanyo claims that their new improved Eneloops can survive 1500 cycles. I'm sticking with cheaper LSD batteries from Duracell (12 for $20, free s/h) since I'll lose the batteries or die before they reach 1000 cycles. For example, I charge the batteries in my remote about once every 2 months, or 6 times a year. 1000 cycles = 166 years.

The LaCrosse is an excellent charger, especially for rejuvenating batteries and testing capacity. Rejuvenation is basically automatically repeatedly charging and discharging the battery to see if capacity increases each time. I've been able to improve some old batteries by about 100 mAh. It also allows you to choose the charge rate. Some people claim that a slow charge is gentler, thus increasing the lifespan of the chemicals. Others say that it doesn't matter, as lonfg as you don't shock the batteries with 15 minute chargers.

bagbiter wrote:I plan to use the AAAs for my wife's pacemaker. in for 3!

That's either the funniest thing ever or the sickest. Either way, it still made me laugh.



*and a good time was had by all*

michaels1715 wrote:When I bother to read all of the comments before buying, I end up missing the deal because it's sold out. So this time I bought first and then read these comments - and now I wish I hadn't ordered 3! 

I had no idea of the differences between battery types! Why are these batteries even still being made, let alone sold here? I TRUSTED you, Woot!! Is there any way to cancel an order??? I'm pretty sure there isn't, but it can't hurt to ask!!

Cancellation is easy on Woot. Simply forward the receipt you received in email to service@woot.com, adding a note that you want to cancel. The most important thing is that your order number is in the email.

Heavy duty batteries suck period there about half the power of alkaline do not buy. These are what you see at the dollar store

sdc100 wrote:Cancellation is easy on Woot. Simply forward the receipt you received in email to service@woot.com, adding a note that you want to cancel. The most important thing is that your order number is in the email.

THANK YOU!! Something else I did not know. I swear - I learn something new on Woot every day!

Personally, I think woot can improve its ordering system in 2 ways.

1. Allow cancellation online within some short defined period, like 5 hours after purchase, or before new item is up.

2. Allow you to increase your order count, say, to increase the order amount to 3 after you placed an order for 1 - again easily done in online account page.

If my woot wage was 25,000 dollars, I'd do it for sure.

sdc100 wrote:Cancellation is easy on Woot. Simply forward the receipt you received in email to service@woot.com, adding a note that you want to cancel. The most important thing is that your order number is in the email.

nitroglycerin wrote:Lower temperatures reduces the rate of the discharge reaction whether "experts" "believe" it or not.

Please read my post carefully before developing an attitude. I never said that COOLer temperatures aren't better. I said that experts differ on whether FREEZING is effective. Energizer, for example, recommends a storage temperature of 41F to 50F for their heavy duty batteries. Anything lower has no advantages and can even be harmful because a frozen battery has internal moisture condensation when taken out of the freezer, which is destructive. All that moisture can't be too good for your equipment either.

Since alkalines lose less than 2% of their capacity at room temperature, the effects of freezing is negligible -- and not recommended given the risk of internal condensation. At most, you can store them in the fridge.

Here is what Duracell and Energizer say about their alkaline batteries, courtesy of Snopes.

Question: Should I store my batteries in the refrigerator or freezer?

Duracell answers:
"We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You'll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended."

Energizer answers:
"No, storage in a refrigerator or freezer is not required or recommended for batteries produced today. Cold temperature storage can in fact harm batteries if condensation results in corroded contacts or label or seal damage due to extreme temperature storage. To maximize performance and shelf life, store batteries at normal room temperatures (68°F to 78°F or 20°C to 25°C) with moderated humidity levels (35 to 65% RH)."

It's a shame that you didn't read carefully or do your research before replying with an attitude. Of course, it's your choice whether to believe these EXPERTS.

Might as well stock up, you never know when you'll end up like this poor boy:

Bill Nye's world without batteries