Customer Reviews

Moonrays 97126 350mAh NiCd AAA Rechargeable Solar Batteries, 4 Pack

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There is simply no reason why anyone should buy those NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) rechargeable cells for solar rechargeable light applications. For similar price, you can find NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) cells such as the Rayovac Rechargeable AAA, which offer the following advantages:

- Higher capacity: NiMH AAA cells are typically 800-1000mAh, compared of just 350mAh for those NiCd cells.
- No memory effect: NiMH cells are less likely to suffer from reduced capacity when they are partially charged and discharged (such as in a solar light application).
- Environmentally Friendly: NiMH cells do not contain Cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal. Expired NiCd cells must be disposed in special battery recycle bins, but most people don't bother to do that. So those cells end up buried in landfill or, worse yet, incinerated. (*)

The only advantage NiCd cell has over NiMH is lower internal resistance, which allows it to provide very high peak current in short bursts. That's why NiCd cells are still used in cordless power tools and RC race cars. But in the case of solar rechargeable lights, the battery current is delievered slowly over 8-12 hours. So NiMH cells, with much higher capacity, are far superior as replacement batteries.

(*)FOOTNOTE:
As of Sep 2008, imports of NiCd rechargeable batteries were banned for all EU countries (thanks to a 2006 Battery Directive). Prices of NiCd cells plummeted as a result. It is sad to see that the U.S. is now being used as the largest dumping ground (literally) for those outdated products.

[Update on May 17, 2012]
It should be noted that the same company is now selling Moonrays NiMh Pre-charged Rechargeable Batteries for Solar Lights. So there goes the claim by some people that "you can only use NiCd for solar lights"!

The batteries themselves are probably fine. The problem is that the ones I received had already expired and didn't work. I bought 6 packs of batteries and Amazon replaced them for free, but those, too, had already expired. The end result for me was a lot of hassle and I still don't have any usable solar batteries. Anybody know where I can get some? The AAA NiCd seems particularly hard to find compared to the AA size.

I recieved my solar batteries quickly but they were dead as a doorknob. Never charged up at all. Worthless. Very unhappy with product. Not worth returning buy the time i pay for shipping!

This is really a bad deal, some of the batteries don't take charge, bottoms sulfated in some of them, I'm sending them back.
This batteries expired 10/09, shame on AMAZON for trying to sell a useless product.

The batteries came quickly, that is within the time frame projected, and they work and are still working with the solar powered units we bought them for. The originals, that came with the solar powered units either didn't work from the start or within a week they no longer would work, not holding a charge. These batteries have now been in a month and they are still working, working, and working! Thanks!

This product works extremely well, it has helped to restore the beauty of my solar lights. Would recommend this brand 100% to anyone.

These batteries are complete garbage...... A full charge lasts less than an hour.. dont waste your money on these.

I have several solar powered lanterns at my house that either would not light or were dim. I ordered the solar batteries from Amazon and the lanterns are again working like new.

Bought this product to replace rechargeable NiCd batteries in an emergency light (the ones that come on when the power goes out). The light uses LED bulbs so they were still good but the battery was failing. I thought about buying a new light but couldn't find them at the local store so I bought these batteries to try it out. It has worked very well so far (about 1 month), the light now shines quite brightly, so I'm quite happy with the purchase. I know these batteries were intended for solar lights, but they had the exact same specs as the existing batteries (350mah / 1.2v), so I was confident it would work.