NIMH for thermals?

I have been using AA Energizer Lithium's in my thermal scope and have been pleased with the length of use but the price of them hurts a little. Regular alkaline batteries are lame and only last for a short period of time. Has anyone used rechargeable NIMH batteries in a thermal yet to see how they work out?

Would not recommend using rechargeable in any thermal gear.

Don't do it - and ALWAYS take the batteries out when not in use.

Have you considered the new LIPO batteries?

Why not use rechageable in thermal?

My manual states that rechargeable batteries are fine. I'm hearing some "no don't do it's" but not the why. As I understand it, FLIR ships several models with rechargeable batteries in them from the factory.

Don't know of any TWS manufacturer that allows the use of NIMH rechargeables, the FLIR units you mentioned use Li-ion, not NIMH.

If your specific TWS manufacturer states that they are fine for you to use in your unit, why did you ask about using them in the first place?

I'm asking because it states rechargeable batteries are fine it just does not specify if they should be Li-ion or Nimh. Until I started researching the subject today, I didn't know rechargeable Li-ion batteries existed. I am leaning toward Eneloop Pro's by Panasonic.

You'd best contact the manufacturer of your unit with your questions before using any rechargeable battery in any thermal device.

As a rule, it is a NO-NO.

Apparently, several of the major manufacturers embrace the concept of rehargeable batteries. As noted, some FLIRs have built in rechargeables. The FLIR R series accepts external battery pack such as the 15,000 mAhr Anker SkyPup has used. Armasight sells external battery packs that allow for the use of 18650 rechargeable batteries. UNV sells external power supplies for ATN THOR units that ATN has approved for use that use 18650s. Pulsar specifically allows for the use of rechargeable batteries.

I would add that Pulsar not only "allows" for use of rechargeables, it sells them for use with their gear.

I have been using Li-on batteries in virtually all of my gear for a long time with zero issues. The idea that there is an issue with them as it pertains to the gear is bunk. What scope do you have ntxtrapper?

Edit: I would like to make it clear that all of mine are used with external rechargeables, not rechargeable AA's or CR123's.

Pulsar Quantum HD19A and uses 4 AA's.

Pulsar sells two external rechargeable batteries for the HD 19. The EPS3 (2.4Ah) and the EPS5 (5 Ah). Or you can build your own pretty easy and cheaper.

Wow! Thanks dfwroadkill. All these bad answers on here and you come to the rescue with exactly what I need. I assume this this plugs in the DC jack? I use it at work way too much to use throwaway batteries. It's on several times a night 4-5 days a week. fugitive apprehension, clearing a structure with no lights and seeing if a car has been used recently are just some of the uses I have found for it. Thanks again.

http://www.amazon.com/Pulsar-PL79112-EPS5-Battery-Pack/dp/B00945JV5C

As previously noted, Lithium ion rechargeables are utilized in the FLIR RS series as well as their PS and LS series, these are NOT NIMH rechargeable batteries as OP originally inquired about.

18650 batteries are Lithium Ion, not NIMH rechargeable batteries.

DO NOT use any rechargeable batteries in any TWS unless the manufacturer specifically states which ones are acceptable to use.

And, as usual, it pays to contact the TWS manufacturer directly for information instead of trying to find it on the internet.

Remember, NIMH is a NO-NO in spite of what others may say.

There were not any bad answers in this thread, just bad questions.

Cool then unless you know, don't post "Would not recommend using rechargeable in any thermal gear" unless you know about the subject. I came here to seek information and guidance from folks who have the knowledge. Luckily someone who does, read my post and knew exactly what I needed. Apparently they use thermal devices a lot like I do.

Yessir it does. The EPS5 will work great for your use. You can also find larger Li-on batteries to work with if need be. Glad I could help. Best to ya!

Got it on order from Amazon and will have it in a couple of days. Thanks again!

OP, Would not recommend using rechargeable batteries in any thermal device even if you do not know anything about the subject.

Thanks to Smart people, I know now that rechargeable batteries are fine to use in thermal devices. That is all.

Good decision.

OP, you would have to be extra smart to use NIMH rechargeables in your TWS.

SkyPup, I am curious as to why you are so emphatic that NIMH is a "NO-NO"? Is there a technical reason or is this just hear-say? This is not a slam, sincerely in hearing the technical why.

Their voltage is not as well regulated as LI-Ion is, plus they lose up to 20% of their charge auto-discharging after being fully charged. Thermals have more tightly regulated electronic circuits than LED flashlights do. It is a video camera basically, not a flashlight.

I have spoken directly with a half-dozen (L3, DRS, FLIR GS, N-Vision Optics, etc.) thermal manufacturers at Shot Show and none of them recommend using any rechargeables in their TWS, none.

They all recommend using high quality Lithium primary batteries only like the original OP was using but no longer wants to use (not alkaline either) and remove them when the TWS is stored and not in use.

One of the reasons is the gases that each different type of battery produces when in use, some batteries produce highly corrosive gases that corrode the electrical battery contacts as well as intrude into the thermal electronic circuits themselves and degrade them. Using the correct batteries keeps the battery compartment free of corrosive gases and protects the battery contacts and the internal electronics from being corroded and degraded.

Thanks SkyPup, did not know about the difference in voltage regulation.

One of the main reasons, in addition to the constant voltage output, OEM TWS manufacturers recommend high quality Lithium primary batteries is the chemistry involved in the transfer of electrons does not produce any outgasses which would corrode/degrade the battery contacts and internal electronic circuitry of the device.

Rechargeables create corrosove outgasses that slowly corrode/destroy the unit.


You do not have to be someone "smart" as OP suggested to realize this, but it helps if you are a chemist!

Stick with external Li-ion rechargeables and you should be plenty fine. I have done this for years with no issues. These products are offered by several of the manufacturers such as ATN, Pulsar, Sightmark and Armasight and soon one will be available for and supported by another manufacturer.

If a rechargeable battery is employed externally, it has no opportunity to cause damage by gas or corrosion. Remove any battery while the unit is not in use and you will all but eliminate leaking and corrosion issues. That said, I do not use either alkaline or NiMH as a rule of thumb. If I use an internal battery, I use lithium.

I like using externals because I can obtain a large battery capacity in a reasonably compact package. While many TWS will run 4 - 6 hours, sometimes up to 8 or so, on a set of expensive lithium batteries....I can run anywhere from 14 to 22 hours depending on the site and external Li-on rechargeable battery capacity. I don't have to keep buying expensive batteries, just keep on recharging...or even carry a spare rechargeable. I promise that if you try doing it this way, most of you would be done buying batteries.

The OP has ordered his manufacturer supplied external rechargeable. Yes, the manufacturer supports and sells it. I think his real goal was to get away from disposable, one use batteries. He used the term NiMH, maybe not realizing there were several kinds. In the end, I think he has found the solution he was looking for and that is what counts.

Lithium primary batteries do not out-gas, which is why they are highly recommended by virtually all TWS manufacturers for primary use as previously mentioned.

If you use alkaline batteries, you will soon notice your battery contacts are covered with a white deposit covering the electrical leads, this is potassium hydroxide precipitating onto the battery contacts degrading and destroying them as well as the internal electrical circuits inside the thermal video camera assembly. Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkaline base and very corrosive to virtually all metals. It is NOT something you want to have in your TWS under any circumstances.

NIMH batteries, which the OP asked about in the title of his thread, should not be used in any thermal device.

Buuuump. A google search for batteries brought me back to THF. Can't get out of the wormhole I guess.

I am considering using Kentli AA lithium rechargeable batteries in my HD19. That is what a lot of the guys who run the X-Sight use, and they are having great results and no problems.