500+ Batteries Later | Is the BEST Alkaline battery still Thunderbolt Edge from Harbor Freight?

[@drewsenthused6079]

Wow, nice print out 😜

[@pault6533]

In your application, rechargeable a would not make sense except maybe for the snowman. You would not be happy with the output, especially in cold weather. There is a purpose for single use primary alkaline cells, and your displays is a perfect example. For the type of devices you are using, I agree the Opus tester should reflect the usage condition of most of your cells. However, for regulated devices there may be significant differences.

[@pault6533]

What you observed in your LED snowmen is likely regulation. There is likely a chip inside maintaining constant power delivery. The difference is how well the device utilizes the entire cell wattage capacity. You have observed that the answer to “the best battery” is “it depends” where you are using them.

[@kev-reviews]

My choice is the battery that performs the best in the most applications. That is definitely not the Energizer

[@pault6533]

​ @kev-reviews Yes, I believe you have found the best alkaline battery "for Kev". However the same choice will not be the best for "everyone", depending where they use them. Your review is good insight for others who have a similar passion for constant-resistance devices such as unregulated battery-powered decorations.

[@TheH454]

Did you notice any brands that leaked? I won't use Energizer or Duracell because I have had them destroy good flashlights. AC Delco and Rayovac are the few brands I have never had leak.

[@Sylvan_dB]

537 battery changes ⁉ No, the rechargeables would be a non-starter for something like that. At least 2x the battery changes, and you need to have a set on charge and a set in use so probably 20% to 50% more batteries (could be as much as 2x the number, but usually not because they usually charge faster than they discharge). But have you considered wires and power adapters? Decent power supplies (meanwell is a name brand, but as long as you keep the load below 60% to 80% the cheaper clones are usually fine) inside and the low voltage wires run to power several things from a single supply seems like an easier approach.

[@kev-reviews]

Fortunately, not that many battery changes as most devices take 3 batteries (some as few as 2, some as many as 6) Trying to manage power supplies and wires for things like the pathway markers would be a challenge. I will be converting some of the items to c7 lights, but some decorations (wire-based fairy lights, candles in fireplace, etc) wouldn’t be beneficial to convert.

[@harrygrimley4352]

More??? Wait. I can go watch paint dry 😊

[@kev-reviews]

Paint drying will be its own playlist 🙃

[@LarrytheMan-uc4ev]

No one asked you to come here in the first place ..