We all well known the Duracell Rechargeable 2500 mAh AAA rechargeable batteries that are considered as the most enduring rechargeable AA batteries of the little pink bunny. But do they really that powerful? We will tell you here.
Presentation
No more green and gold for Duracell Recharge Ultra rechargeable batteries, a return to the black and copper color characteristic of the brand’s batteries. A two-tone certainly as emblematic as the pink rabbit mascot that has accompanied the brand’s batteries since 1973, but which does not facilitate the differentiation of these accumulators from Duracell alkaline batteries, which are by definition disposable. Be careful not to confuse them when sorting in the drawer, since only the mention “Rechargeable 2500 mAh” printed in green under the logo of the brand allows them to be recognized. No storage box either to separate them from other batteries.
Confident in its Rechargeable 2500 mAh batteries, Duracell does not hesitate to announce a lifespan of 5 years or 400 charge cycles at least. Self-discharge is also said to be low, with the brand ensuring 80% energy talk after 6 months and good general charge resistance for at least 12 months. Affirmations that we will take care to verify as soon as our long-term self-discharge measures are sufficiently numerous.
For our test, we first discharged (300 mA) then recharged (500 mA) these accumulators 5 times, until we were sure of the good stability of their capacity. We then measured more precisely the evolution of their voltage in our discharge circuit composed of a coupler of 4 cells and 2 resistors of 10 ohms connected in parallel.
Actual capacity
After a long charge of 5 h 42 min at 500 mA, quite normal given the capacity of these Duracell Rechargeable 2500 mAh batteries, our charger indicates an average capacity of 2570 mAh. A measurement very often higher than the capacity announced on the accumulator because of the losses (heat, mainly) related to the electrochemical process of the load.
The 4 rechargeable batteries are then installed in our circuit in order to read their voltage at regular intervals throughout their discharge. The average voltage drops below the 1 V bar after 3 h 08 min of discharge. The actual capacity measured is then 2536 mAh, for a supplied energy of 2822 mWh. A value in accordance with the capacity advertised by the manufacturer. The voltage then drops below 0.8 V 15 minutes later before dropping more quickly – as with all NiMh batteries – which usually results in the power supply to most electronic devices being cut off, if they are not switched off before, or by lowering the intensity of the lighting of a lamp, for example. A capacity of 2707 mAh is then measured, for a supplied energy of 2978 mWh.
Promise kept for these Duracell Rechargeable 2500 mAh which reach their advertised capacity, without exceeding it by much. These accumulators will in any case be very suitable for devices that consume quite a lot of energy, such as flashlights, game controllers, cameras, etc. A motor toy consuming 300 mA can for example operate for 9 hours.
Conclusion
Enduring, these Duracell Rechargeable 2500 mAh batteries keep their promise and therefore offer a good amount of energy, able to power quite greedy devices.
Pros of Duracell Rechargeable 2500 mAh
- Actual capacity in line with that advertised.
- 5 year warranty or 400 charge / discharge cycles.
Cons of Duracell Rechargeable 2500 mAh
- Fatally rather slow charge.
Add Comment