Can you help me build an electric motor scooter? [more inside]
posted by banished on Sep 9, 2009 - 6 answers

Laptop battery recycling: no nearby location will accept mine so far because it's degraded and puffed up. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by randomstriker on Aug 10, 2009 - 8 answers

Say I have a three batteries (all 12V SLA of the same Ah capacity) wired in parallel to form a bank. I connect a dumb charging source (let's say 12V, 5A). How will the incoming charge be distributed amongst the three batteries, and what does it depend on? [more inside]
posted by gribbly on Jul 27, 2009 - 16 answers

Do batteries lose charge? [more inside]
posted by Brennus on Jun 15, 2009 - 8 answers

My HP Pavillion dv6000 laptop works fine...except for one little battery related thing. [more inside]
posted by Neonshock on Apr 11, 2009 - 4 answers

My Your digital camera favorite band sucks down the batteries! Is this fixable or would I be better off getting something else? [more inside]
posted by Kid Charlemagne on Mar 12, 2009 - 16 answers

A question of etiquette: Can I change my hearing aid batteries in public? Or do I have to duck into the bathroom? [more inside]
posted by still_wears_a_hat on Mar 7, 2009 - 35 answers

If I put rechargeable batteries (batteries, not a battery pack) in an Xbox 360 controller, and plug in the charge wire that is typically used for their battery packs, what will happen to my rechargeable batteries? Will they actually recharge? Will nothing happen? [more inside]
posted by AlbatrossJones on Feb 27, 2009 - 4 answers

Help me find a power adapter for my Roland A-33 keyboard. I've tried what seemed obvious and haven't made much progress. [more inside]
posted by larsks on Feb 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Trying to get rid of a printer, some battery packs and an old PDA, without simply throwing them in the black bag. How does one recycle electronics ethically in London? [more inside]
posted by marmaduke_yaverland on Jan 26, 2009 - 5 answers

This should be a simple question, but I cannot find exactly what I need. I found a year old camera the other day in a box that had been left with batteries in it. There is some corrosion from the period of time the batteries had been in there. The camera is still pretty new, but I need to know how to remove the corrosion so that I can still use it. Any ideas!? No bonus point for anything since bonus points wont (and never do here) really do you any good. Thanks in advance friends...
posted by TeachTheDead on Sep 21, 2008 - 9 answers

Help me keep my mp3 player charged while I'm travelling! [more inside]
posted by tomble on Apr 7, 2008 - 9 answers

Where can I get compact, water(proof|resistant) and somewhat sturdy battery case? [more inside]
posted by strangecargo on Jan 30, 2008 - 10 answers

What's the deal with NiMH AA and AAA batteries being 1.2V? [more inside]
posted by knave on Jan 11, 2008 - 32 answers

Where in northern Virginia can I get a battery pack for my SAD lightbox? It's the P1 from Apollo Health, and I'm hoping for a battery pack before a trip this weekend. Thanks for any help!
posted by selfmedicating on Jan 10, 2008 - 1 answer

What domestic devices can be operated effectively on solar power these days? Know any interesting alternative uses? Wide open question.
posted by vizsla on Dec 28, 2007 - 11 answers

Do those "battery powered emergency phone chargers" work? [more inside]
posted by illek on Nov 6, 2007 - 10 answers

What happens to the energy that is lost from rechargeable batteries when they self discharge? [more inside]
posted by smithygreg on Oct 29, 2007 - 5 answers

Waterproof, shockproof camera which takes AA batteries? [more inside]
posted by knapah on Sep 13, 2007 - 3 answers

Where can I get a battery-powered LED clock? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit on Aug 6, 2007 - 14 answers

The battery in my G4 Powerbook won't charge, and I am a long way from any technical help! [more inside]
posted by Rumple on Jul 30, 2007 - 5 answers

Fixing problems with a 14.4 V cordless tool charger, or if that doesn't work, turning it into a "corded tool." [more inside]
posted by drezdn on May 30, 2007 - 3 answers

So Energizer or Duracell? Or some other brand? I'm confused. Apparently they are both 5 times more powerful than the other. I'm looking for the best value-for-money AA battery on the market (i.e. battery hours per dollar). I understand it depends to some extent on the device. Let's say two devices - the TV remote control - and a digital camerra. Anyone have a link to the definitive report? [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on May 13, 2007 - 28 answers

Music video song filter: I believe the song/video was released in 1999. The music video consisted of people walking around with batteries strapped to their backs and I believe one of them was in the brain of a mini-robot. The song was on the charts the same time Britney Spears released, "Baby One More Time" but it was dramatically different than anything she would ever put out. I believe it was a male group.
posted by 913 on Apr 18, 2007 - 3 answers

I'm trying to figure out what kind of batteries are going to be the best option for several small electronic items that are going with me to Uganda/Sudan next week... [more inside]
posted by shawnmk on Mar 15, 2007 - 7 answers

A friend asked why (I thought) his digital camera batteries conk out after 3, 4 or 5 pictures. The situation: he is a real cold weather outdoor enthusiast. He's tried a number of battery types and it happens with each kind. I assume it has to do with the cold, but is keeping it enveloped in warm packaging, yanking it out (risking fogging) then wrapping it up again the only answer. (I tried searching "AskMeta" and could not find a specific repsonse to this problem. Thanks.
posted by schoenbc on Jan 31, 2007 - 16 answers

Wii owners: How long did your original pack-in Panasonic batteries last in your Wiimote? [more inside]
posted by Durhey on Jan 21, 2007 - 11 answers

I've got a Kodak CX7300 that keeps dying on me, which has a bunch of pics I need to pilfer at some point, preferably before it dies off completely. [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on Jan 15, 2007 - 6 answers

Is it safe to use a non-Panasonic CGA-S005 battery in my shiny new Lumix DMC-FX8 camera? What if there are stipulations? [more inside]
posted by ElectricBlue on Dec 26, 2006 - 5 answers

Are there any (disposable, AA) batteries that specifically have a long shelf life? [more inside]
posted by krisjohn on Nov 28, 2006 - 8 answers

Can anyone tell me why a 9v battery would explode? Description of the event... [more inside]
posted by snsranch on Nov 2, 2006 - 11 answers

Where can I find a secondary battery for an Acer Travelmate C310 Tablet? [more inside]
posted by Darke on Aug 31, 2006 - 3 answers

Another question about NiMH rechargeable batteries: Can I use brand A batteries in a brand B charger? Also, how can I tell a 'smart' charger from the timed version I hear tell of? [more inside]
posted by tiamat on Jun 28, 2006 - 10 answers

BatteryFilter: Where can I recycle my batteries in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada? [more inside]
posted by stungeye on Jun 19, 2006 - 8 answers

Electronics question - can I recharge batteries while using them? [more inside]
posted by psychobum on Feb 21, 2006 - 7 answers

What specific laptop computer, Mac or PC, has the longest battery life? [more inside]
posted by idontlikewords on Jan 22, 2006 - 10 answers

Can you mix rechargeable batteries with different mAh ratings? [more inside]
posted by monsta coty scott on Jan 16, 2006 - 9 answers

I need advice on how to charge my handies' batteries. [more inside]
posted by Manouk on Sep 30, 2005 - 2 answers

Nikon D70 owners: My LCD stopped working tonight... [more inside]
posted by knave on Jul 29, 2005 - 11 answers

My iPod Shuffle just doesn't charge off my PC. [more inside]
posted by eurasian on Jul 28, 2005 - 13 answers

Does anyone know a store in the Perth (Western Australia) metro area that sells 900mAh NiMH AAA batteries?
posted by krisjohn on Mar 12, 2005 - 2 answers

Clean energy filter! I just ran a pair of rechargeable AA batteries through the wash. On the top ends, there is a black plastic or paper ring or collar that is under the plastic label and which appears to tuck beneath the edge of the nubby positive metal pole. Compared to an unwashed pair, this black material is warped, probably swollen from water. The washed batteries do not perceptibly weigh more than a never-washed pair.

Should I toss 'em or risk the Chernobyl-like consequences that may result from using them? Are they toast?
posted by mwhybark on Jan 11, 2005 - 8 answers

My 2.5 year old Powerbook G4's battery seems to have suddenly lost the ability to hold more than a 40 minute charge. What's up with that? What should I do about it?
posted by donkeymon on Dec 13, 2004 - 6 answers

Should I throw away batteries? --> [more inside]
posted by eas98 on Oct 13, 2004 - 3 answers

I have a Sony Clié that takes alkaline batteries. Sick of the cost of fresh AAAs, I recently bought a charger and 4 Ni-MH batteries (1.2V 700 mAh), intending to keep 2 in the Clié and 2 in the charger.
Question: if I keep the unused batteries in the plugged-in charger permanently, will they explode or otherwise be ruined? If I keep them in the charger but keep it unplugged, will they lose their charge? The charger has a "charging" light which doesn't go off as long as it's plugged in, and has a "fast charge" light which goes off after 5 hours.
posted by signal on Apr 27, 2004 - 10 answers

My digital camera can eat up four AA cells in less than an hour. Suggestions? Short of getting a second job to pay for batteries.
posted by precocious on Apr 6, 2004 - 18 answers

I am looking for a battery powered mixer. Some friends and I want to start doing street shows with a pair of Handytrax and an old skool boom box. But, we're stuck on the mixer problem. Googling "battery powered mixer" turns up the wrong kind of mixers, and we don't want to use a generator.
posted by badstone on Mar 5, 2004 - 15 answers

I've got batteries on the brain today (slightly-earlier post about aftermarket laptop batteries), but this thread and my growing frustration with my increasingly-relied-upon cell phone brought to mind another question: how much battery life does your cell phone really get? No matter where I am, how much I use it, or even if it's on or off, my Samsung SPH-N400 gets 24-36 hours per charge, at best, compared to the advertised "Talk Time: Up to 2.9 Hours, Stand-by Time: Up to 7 Days." (more inside...)
posted by Sinner on Mar 3, 2004 - 11 answers

Automotive question:
The battery doesn't charge and we subsequently have to manually recharge it at the garage, hopefully before it conks out on us on the road. Driving at night poses problems, since the lights obviously draw off of the battery - it's a heavy drain, trust me. Here's the question: we know it's not the battery (two brand new batteries, same problem), the alternator is showing good numbers (apparently meaning that it's charging, I'm told), all belts are running properly and are tight, the mechanics found no loose connections; what could be the problem?
posted by ashbury on Feb 25, 2004 - 14 answers

With the recent IPod fiasco now behind us, the word is out that to maximize the useful lifespan of lithium Ion batteries, its best not to draw them down to empty (ever) and to keep them topped off and charging when not in use. Yet, when the units ship after manufacture, the batteries are apparently alltogether uncharged. My Question is, if you are planning not use your IPod or other Lithium Ion powered device for a long time, must they be left charging for all that time or is there better means of long term non use and storage that doesn't hose the battery pack?
posted by Fupped Duck on Dec 30, 2003 - 10 answers