What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

About HALF the amphour ratings of a "AA" battery. The typical "AA" Ni-Mh
cell is now 2000Mah while the "AAA" battery is (at best) 750Mah. The
equipment powered by the "AA" batteries will run a lot longer.....Eddie
"Tom Welch" wrote in message
om...
What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

Tom Welch wrote:

What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

AAAs are lighter and smaller. If they're rechargeable, it won't
matter much as to cost to run. The AA has about 3-4 times the capacity
of the AAA though.

I don't think I have any AAA radios, maybe the Sangean DT300VW is. The
IC recorders all seem to be AAA though. Probably a speaker needs AA
to get decent run times.

I've gone to NiMH power on all my radios that have wall-warts.

NiMH has considerably less run time than Alkaline and won't stay
charged over months, which limits its use a little here and there.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

The physical size of the battery will determine the capacity -- that is
ampere hours.
Generally the AA will have a higher ampere hour rating than an AAA within a
given type -- i.e. it will last longer for a given load.
Manufacturers don't seem to be too willing to give amp/hour ratings -- one
reason being it will vary depending on the load.

However you can check url:
http://data.energizer.com/

And they have capacity charts (with a caveat regarding load)
Example a typical AA is rated at 3135 milliamp hours
A typical AAA is rated at 1375 milliamp hours


AAA batteries are ideal for the smaller devices, of course

For your application -- Buy an AC adapter -- saves on batteries when you
have AC power available.

I have a Radio Shack DX-398 and it eats batteries big time -- so I use the
RS AC adaptor when at home. Batteries are fine when traveling.

Hopes this helps.

--
73- Cambio - Keyboard To You
"Tom Welch" wrote in message
om...
What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

Yes, the DT-300VW runs on AAA's, and I use it very often, every day... I'm
running whatever is on my shortwave receiver through FM. And it's true
AAA's do not last as long, but if you have at least 2 sets and one of the
sets on the charger, it really isn't that big of a deal.. However if I take
the radio away from home I have to remember to bring fresh batteries and a
time or two I have ended up buying alkalines while out. Alkalines do last a
lot longer but I have saved hundreds of dollars on batteries using NiMH.


"Ron Hardin" wrote in message
...
Tom Welch wrote:

What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

AAAs are lighter and smaller. If they're rechargeable, it won't
matter much as to cost to run. The AA has about 3-4 times the capacity
of the AAA though.

I don't think I have any AAA radios, maybe the Sangean DT300VW is. The
IC recorders all seem to be AAA though. Probably a speaker needs AA
to get decent run times.

I've gone to NiMH power on all my radios that have wall-warts.

NiMH has considerably less run time than Alkaline and won't stay
charged over months, which limits its use a little here and there.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Expect 1/2 to 1/3 less usable live from a set of AAA versus AA.
Only reason they specify AAA is it makes the product smaller
versus if you had to use AA. They (AAA) are OK for use in
TV remote controls, but you'll be changing AAA cells every
other day in a radio product application. My rule is if it uses
AAA then I don't buy it. My neighbor bought a pair of FRS
radios that used AAA cells and took it camping. Of course the
kids had fun seeing how far they could talk around the campground
but he also said the batteries were exhausted after just 2 days.

"Tom Welch" wrote in message
om...
What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

I have a quick question. I have been thinking of getting
some rechargeable batteries and a charger. One thing I want
them for is my DX-375 which uses 2-c cells. My understanding
is that they are 1.2 volts, does this make any difference to
radio operation?

Norm


What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

I have owned a DX-375, and one of the great things about it is that you
really don't need an AC adapter. The battery life is so good on these
radios with 2 Alkaline "C"'s , I wouldn't even bother with rechargeables.
On the other hand, most of the portables with AA's would be another story.


"N Deveau" wrote in message
...
I have a quick question. I have been thinking of getting
some rechargeable batteries and a charger. One thing I want
them for is my DX-375 which uses 2-c cells. My understanding
is that they are 1.2 volts, does this make any difference to
radio operation?

Norm


What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch

(N Deveau) wrote:

My understanding
is that they are 1.2 volts, does this make any difference to
radio operation?

The big difference between rechargeables and alkaline batteries is that as
soon as you start using alkalines, their voltage begins to drop.
Rechargeables stay pretty much at their initial voltage and then die
suddenly.

So even though rechargeables start out at a lower voltage, almost all
electronics are designed to operate over a range of voltages and the
performance with rechargeables is no different than it would be with a set
of alkalines at about the middle of their useful life.

But you'll get little warning about when the rechargeables are used up, so
you'll want to have a second set always ready.


--
Reply address munged. You can figure it out.

MW,

Since we are expanding the Topic from "AA -=V=- AAA Batteries"
to other Battery Sizes.

The GE Superadios, the CCRadios and now the Grundig S350 /
Tecsun BCL-2000 all use a set of Four (4) of the larger "D"
Size Batteries. [ 4 x 1.5VDC = 6VDC Power Source ]

Some radio users report that a set of "D" Batteries in these
Radios "Lasts-for-Months" when these radios are used for about
Three (3) Hours Daily.

nbr ~ RHF
= = = No Batteries Required )
..
..
= = = "Mike W"
= = = wrote in message .. .
I have owned a DX-375, and one of the great things about it is that you
really don't need an AC adapter. The battery life is so good on these
radios with 2 Alkaline "C"'s , I wouldn't even bother with rechargeables.
On the other hand, most of the portables with AA's would be another story.


"N Deveau" wrote in message
...
I have a quick question. I have been thinking of getting
some rechargeable batteries and a charger. One thing I want
them for is my DX-375 which uses 2-c cells. My understanding
is that they are 1.2 volts, does this make any difference to
radio operation?

Norm


What are the tradeoffs when buying
radio gear that is powered by AAs
vs. AAAs batteries?

Both AAs and AAAs seem to be priced the
same.

I have never bought a radio using AAAs,
but now I am very interest in buying a
Sony pocket radio that uses AAAs, so
I am thinking of making an exception
to my rule of never buying gear that
uses AAAs.

Tom Welch