Customer Reviews

Lenmar Adapter, D Size Shell, for any AA Battery

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you have some power-hungry applications that require D-cells, you can usually save money in the long run by using rechargeable NiMH cells instead of alkaline cells. One approach is to buy a set of AA to D-sized adapter shells, and use rechargeable AA NiMh cells in those. This is the cheapest method because AA NiMH cells typically cost less than ten dollars for a package of four, and you can use low-cost AA charger for them (instead of buying another charger that accepts D-cells).

However, don't expect to get the same operation time as before when you were using alkaline cells. This is because the capacity of a typical NiMH AA cell is only about 2500mAh. In comparison, a typical alkaline D-cell is rated at about 20,000mAh for low current applications. At higher current, the actual capacity may drop to half. But this is still four times as much as that of a NiMH AA cell. In other words, you can only expect one-quarter the operation time after switching to NiMH AA cells.

There are rechargeable NiMH D-cells available with capacity up to 12,000mAh. Those cells can out-last alkaline D-cells in large current applications. However, those cells are expensive (around $25 for two) and you need special charger that are designed to charge high capacity D-cells. (Most low-cost chargers, even those that can accept D-cells, cannot fully recharge cells with capacity greater than 3000mAh)

Finally, be carefull not to fall victim to fake D-cells offered by Energizer and Rayovac. Those are just 2500mAh AA cells enclosed in larger D-sized cases. Prices of those fake D-cells are often ridiculously high, even though you still get very short operation time from those. Plus you need to buy a charger that can accept D-cells.

All things considered, using AA cells in D-sized adapters is still a good approach. Just make sure that you lower your expectation, and DON'T PAY TOO MUCH for those cheap plastic shells.

These have failed to work for me in every item where I have tried to use them. The problem was that they did not make electrical contact with the metal springs inside the battery compartment. If you compare these adapters with a real D size battery, you will see that the typical real battery has much larger metal areas for the springs to touch.

It's a nice idea and I'd love to find some adapters with a better design but these unfortunately fail the test. Buyer beware.

I've used a similar product by Panasonic which was MUCH better made, but I haven't found the Panasonic brand adapters sold outside of a Costco rechargeable battery kit.

The 4 Lenmar AA-to-D adapters do work but they are inconsistent in how well your AA batteries fit inside. 2 of the 4 adapters worked normally for me while the other 2 were too loose or the AA battery didn't snap into place when inserted - and I tried several AA batteries with the same results.

These Lenmar's are cheaply made but they will work. I don't recommend putting these adapters into service where you're going to have to change-out batteries all the time.

Most of my battery spacers are Eneloops that came with the batteries. They are available separately but generally pricier. The Lenmar is good enough. My "AAs" batteries fit them. All you have to do is push it from the bottom and it locks in the spacer with a satisfying click, just like the Eneloops.

The label is just a sticker that goes around the cylinder which gives it a cheap feel on it. You might not also get the same label as the pictures shown as I got a different gray/silver label instead. But what is important to me is that it works, not defective, and the money savings. I'll buy it again unless I find somebody else comes out with a better product and a better deal.

The rechargable batteries snap inside the shell. You get 4 of these in a pack. All you need is

a penny to make them work once you load them in a Maglight flashlight. AA batteries do not have a large enough metal contact area on the end. The maglight coiled cap, therefore, fails to touch it. Just stick a penny on the end of the last battery in your maglight, and it seems to work very well. I'm very happy with my purchase. Plus, I saved money over the Sanyo brand D shells.

You receive four (4) AA to D battery converters as pictured

You get what you pay for in this case. If you are looking to convert your standard 1.5 volt AA batteries this is an excellent option. If you are unaware, AA batteries are cheaper but D size batteries contain and maintain a longer charger.

The product itself isn't very complex. It is essentially a plastic shell with no back. The shell will hold the AA so that it is level with the battery holder/ + and - ends. The positive end of the shell has a small metal "o" that will connect to the negitive end of another batter or product at use. If your batteries positive end does not have a "nub" or protrude at all, it will not work, due to there being no connection. This for most people should not be a problem because major brand/standard batteries like Energizer, Duracell, Rayovac etc. all include this tip.

Overall works great, but the bottom relies entirely on the width of the AA battery to make contact. So, if you have a flashlight or other device with a spring at the bottom, many are wider than the width of a AA battery and don't make contact with the AA battery base. Some other AA to D converters have a plate on the bottom of the case to make it the width of a regular D battery that the bottom of the AA battery would contact, hence making good contact regardless of the contact method in the device you are using them in.

These devices are great, but you can make your own...

NEEDED (for C-cell): 1" PVC tubing.

NEEDED (for D-cell): 1.25" PVC tubing, piece of 1/4" rod (this will become the positive electrode).

NEEDED (for either): piece of wood (6" piece of 2x4 is good), 12" piece of rod (smooth metal) 9/16" diameter (slightly larger diameter than AA bty), lots of hot-melt glue.

First thing to do is build your jig. If you're planning on making adapters for C & D cells, use the same piece of wood.

FOR C-CELLS: bore a 1" hole about 1/4" deep, then bore a 9/16" hole in the center of that, about 3/4" deep (you want it to hold the rod snuggly, but not so tight you can't pull it out by hand).

FOR D-CELLS: bore a 1.25" hole about 1/4" deep, then bore a 1/4" hole in the center of that, 1/4" deeper than larger hole (1/4" deeper is important here, don't deviate much. None of the other depths are important, just to hold things in place). On your 12" rod, drill a 1/4" hole on one end about 1/8" deep (do this for D-cells only, not needed for C-cells).

That's it for the jig. Now you're ready to make dozens of adapters in no time.

FOR C-CELLS: Cut 1" PVC into 1.8" lengths (shorter than AA bty). Place PVC piece into jig. Insert 12" rod into smaller hole (grease up the part of the rod inside the PVC tubing with vasoline, aids in removal). Now squirt in some hot-melt glue in the void between PVC and rod all the way to the top. Let cool, and remove rod.

FOR D-CELLS: Cut 1.25" PVC into 2.25" lengths. Cut the 1/4" rod into 3/8" lengths. Place the 1/4" rod piece (positive electrode) into the jig, then place the PVC piece into the jig. Next, place the end of the 12" rod with the hole in the end over the positive electrode (grease up the part of the rod inside the PVC tubing with vasoline, aids in removal), then fill in the void with hot-melt glue as before. Let cool, and remove rod. You may want to add something to hold the 12" rod in place, rather than holding it while the glue hardens.

If you care if the battery falls out, wedge a small piece of something between bty and housing to hold it in place. A piece of duct tape works well.

DISCLAIMER: If anyone cuts off a finger, drills a hole in their hand or burns themselves with hot-melt glue, I am not responsible, and your are not careful. And remember, schitte happens!

They are physically squirrelly and may or may not work in the target device depending on weather they get a good seat.

Got a product that takes D cells? Here's just the ticket. And they're so clever. Rather than spend a fortune on D-cell batteries, pop some AA batteries in these shells and install them, instead. Sure costs less over the long run, and they work very nicely.

I use mine in a motion sensor trash can lid. I placed four Sanyo Eneloop* AA batteries in the shells, installed and forgot 'em. Over nine months later they're still going strong.

I haven't tried them in anything that draws a lot of power, but they do FINE for what I needed.

Amazing.

*Results with other types of rechargeables will probably differ. Eneloop batteries are a fairly new generation of NiMH rechargeables. They hold a charge for up to a year where older types drain down in just a few days. You can pick up Eneloops right here at Amazon. I highly recommend them!