Me thinks batteries are very expensive!

United States
January 9, 2012 10:09am CST
I’m considering getting a 9 volt battery charger and some rechargeable batteries. I just spent $12 on four 9 volt batteries to use in my TENS unit. I’ve already gone through 2 of those batteries before I got the set of 4. I have to use the TENS 45 minutes 4 times daily and these batteries aren’t lasting any time at all. I don’t guess you can charge regular 9 volt batteries can you? It seems like such a waste of money to throw away batteries. But I heard that they can blow up if you try to recharge them.. so I won’t be trying that. I will though, when I get paid at the beginning of the month, invest in a 9 volt charger and rechargeable batteries. What is your experience with rechargeable batteries? Do they function well? Do you think they are worth the money you spend for them? Please share.
4 people like this
15 responses
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
9 Jan 12
I've never had much luck with rechargeable batteries!!! It has been my experience that they are pretty dayum expensive & they don't last as long as throw-aways. Yes, you can recharge them, but you will constantly be recharging. After a few charges, they don't hold a charge for any length of time!!! If you need to use 2 batteries, you'll need to buy & charge 4 so when the 2 suddenly die, you will have 2 more charged. Some of the charges require you to have a set number of batteries in it before it will start the charging process. I've bought several rechargeable batteries complete with charger, but get so frustrated, I throw them away & go back to throw-away batteries. Sorry, I know you wanted to hear that they will solve ALL your problems,; but I fear it will only increase your problems & at a greater expense!!!
• United States
9 Jan 12
Oh Drats! I didn’t want to hear that… you are right. It’s going to cost an arm and a leg to use this thing. I was using it almost all day for awhile, and the batteries were wearing out in one day… the doc said that 4 times a day at 40 minutes was sufficient anyway… so maybe my batteries will last longer this way. It’s just that when I have pain I want to turn it on because it does help a lot. Using the TENS helps me to be pain free.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Jan 12
Hi. Well, I think that comes too getting the right rechargeable. The last I used them was like 15 years ago. I placed some in a 12v radio and it didn't last for too long. The have a thing about over charging them and they also well start to leak. I don't know if you had Duracells but I'd go with those. Your right by the way, batteries can get expensive.
• United States
9 Jan 12
Hi CW! Welcome to Mylot! Yeah this pack of 4 just cost me $12. I imagine I will be buying more before the month is up.
@BarBaraPrz (45675)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
9 Jan 12
I haven't had much luck with rechargeables. Does your TENS unit have an adaptor so you don't have to use batteries?
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 12
No it doesn’t have an adapter. I wish it did.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45675)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
9 Jan 12
I remember having an all-purpose adaptor once, that had a bit that snapped on to where the 9-volt batteries connected. I think I got it from Radio Shack.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
14 Jan 12
I don't know if they are just making batteries cheaper these days or what is going on. I get mine at the Dollar tree/store. I figure if the good batteries are not lasting as long, then I might as well just buy the cheaper ones that do the same thing.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jan 12
Glad to hear that this battery is lasting longer. Do you ever check the batteries in the store to see they are good before you buy them? They use to have a strip on the container where you could see if the batteries were good or not.
• United States
14 Jan 12
So far the one I put in my TENS unit has lasted good. It has lasted about 5 days now I think. This is better than the other ones I used.
1 person likes this
• China
10 Jan 12
I usuallychoose to use rechargeable batteries and a charger,environmentally friendly and durable,can use a few years ,I generally put him in the razor and remote control,basically the way.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jan 12
That’s good to know. Thanks!
@myzhian (584)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Rechargeable batteries are a bit expensive that's why I don't use such kind!
• United States
10 Jan 12
Regular batteries would be even more expensive, since I would be using several of them through the month. My TENS will require a 9 volt battery and it will only last a few days at the most… so I could spend $50 a month on batteries alone… times that by 12 months and that’s some dough! I might try out the rechargeables and get a charger. It can’t hurt to try it.
@myzhian (584)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
better if you will have your own charger!
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
10 Jan 12
you should be able to get a battery recharger for any size battery that is all we use is rechargeable we never use regular batteries
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jan 12
I know you can get them for any size battery. I was just wondering if they are worth it. Most are saying that they don’t fully charge back to 9 volts. My TENS needs 9 volts to operate sufficiently. Some folks are saying that the charge fades over time and they won’t take a full charge. I guess I could invest in one and see if it is worth the money… if not.. well I’ve wasted money then.. but it won’t be the first time. All I can do is buy one and see for myself. Hope it is worth it. I can’t do anything until I get paid.
• United States
9 Jan 12
Rechargable batteries seem more expensive at first but they make up their worth fast. Especially if you are talking about expensive batteries like 9 volts. Its also so much better on the environment to not be throwing all those batteries in the trash. It would be worth it to look into at least. Check Amazon for competative prices.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 12
I'll do that, thanks. If they are cheaper at Amazon I'll get them there.
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
9 Jan 12
I think you should try the rechargable batteries and battery charger. Look for ones on Amazon.com. You should probably be able to find it at a more reasonable price on there. I used to use a battery charger and rechargable batteries (AA) for my old digital camera. I never had a problem. Just make sure that you fully recharge them when you do charge them up. The batteries do have a "memory" so if you only charge them at a percentage then later when you try to charge them all the way they will only go up to that "memory". I would still be using them for this purpose but I have a new camera now that runs on a Lithium battery that was made specifically for the camera. Good luck! I know how expensive batteries are. Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
• United States
9 Jan 12
I'm going to price them. I can't buy them until I get paid. Thanks for your advice here. Some folks say they aren't that good and others say they are. For me, I have to try.
9 Jan 12
I have a multicharger that does Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh batteries, AA, AAA and 9-volt. I only use it for AAs, for my digital camera, and it's brilliant. The main thing is that I HAVE to leave it to fully charge: a lot of rechargeable batteries still have charge-memory, so if I only charge them 50% that becomes their new maximum. (Modern laptop batteries and the like are better than that, but we're talking basic stuff here!) I'd recommend rechargeables every time. If they cost 3 times a smuch and you recharge them half a dozen times, you've already saved. Oh, and you're right: NEVER recharge non-rechargeable batteries. Very dangerous.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
Buying a charger for batteries and rechargeable can of course cost you much at first. But considering your expenses in always buying batteries, it would sum up to more than your investment in those.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jan 12
I’m hearing pros and cons. Some like them a lot and others don’t. I will invest when I get paid… it won’t hurt to try out rechargeables. The investment just might be worth it. Thanks.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
9 Jan 12
In India we prefer using ordinary batteries --not rechargeable ones. However I have seen my daughter and son using rechargeable ones and they do work well for say one or two years.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 12
That’s good that they have lasted them up to 2 years. My other two responders said they haven’t had much luck with them. I don’t like forking out so much money on batteries.
• Indonesia
9 Jan 12
As for me, sure I always buy the rechargeable battery, because it will save your money more than a one use time battery...
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 12
Good advice, thanks.
@parascevi (313)
• Greece
9 Jan 12
Hi Please don't try to charge nonrechargable batteries! You might severely get heart! Rechargable batteries are worth using when you need more power. For ex in cameras,wireless mouses etc .. In these cases it is worth to try and using these. I use rechargable batteries in my mouse and camera and i am satisfied with the result.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 12
Thanks! I won't recharge regular batteries. When I het paid next month I will invest in them. I'll be needing lots of battery power for my TENS unit.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
10 Jan 12
you should be able to get a battery charger for any size battery, that is all we use we don;t waste our money on regular batteries