- Posted on
Mon Oct 29, 2018 4:27 pm
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IndigoSam
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- Posts: 182
- Joined: Apr 14, 2013
It is interesting.
I was going to respond to them around Eneloop batteries, as I was making the assumption that rechargeable batteries drop voltage from 1.5 (each) to 1.2 fairly quickly, as suggested by their (Eurotronic's) response, and maybe Eneloop didn't have that problem.
This led down a rabbit warren, but it turns out that AA rechargeable batteries do, indeed, top out at 1.2v each..
Mostly.
This is due to unbreakable rules of physics and chemistry, it seems, but there have been some breakthroughs with Lithium and (rechargeable) Alkalines. Except Lithium batteries will explode unless charged in a very specific way and 'Alkaline' rechargeable batteries seems to be a grey area. as various sites mention them for sale, but never available. Basically I didn't find a nice easy, recharable, 1.5v AA answer.
However, normal batteries start off as 1.5, then drop off fairly rapidly to 1.2 and on to 1.0.
It puts a different perspective on the Eurotronic 'WARNING: Do not use rechargeable batteries'. 'Warning' sounds like a danger, but I think they mean they will not be responsible for malfunction with less than overall 3.0v. As normal batteries are going to start at 3.0 (for two), then drop anyway, whereas good rechargeables will start at 2.4 and stay there until final drop off, they are basically dropping out of responsibility when less than 3.0v, no mater what the power.
That doesn't mean they will not actually work though, and there are other options with AA battery eliminators.
Or maybe have 24v power to all of them, then step down to 3.0v locally and into fake batteries.
I really don't want to be changing batteries all the time. It is already a pain for me now, before even adding TRVs.
Indeed, I would much rather there be a whole host of z-wvave devices that were powered by wire, 12v, 24v or USB 5v (preferable). And there already are, various motion/temp sensors are now USB optional power, and of course pattress box installs are AC240v.