NiMh specs

why is it that manufacturers now love to over emphasis the capacity of NiMh
batteries

I buy Gold Peak GP and written on them in huge numerals is 2600 yet when you
go searching they state 2500mA.

Looking through other types and capacities they appear to be doing the same
from certain sizes up.

I think this trend is the same for other manufacturers

dj

On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 08:35:26 +0100, OhNo wrote:

why is it that manufacturers now love to over emphasis the capacity of
NiMh batteries

I buy Gold Peak GP and written on them in huge numerals is 2600 yet
when you go searching they state 2500mA.

Manufacturers will always want to advertise their products in ways
that make them as attractive as possible. In the case of batteries,
it's easy, because they don't have a single mAh rate. It varies,
depending on how they're used. If used to power a device that draws
250 ma, the batteries will probably last 10 hours, earning a 2,500
mAh rating. But if they're used to power a device that draws only
50 ma, they won't last the expected 50 hours, but will do better
than that, perhaps lasting 55 hours before needing to be recharged.
In that case, they'll have delivered about 2,750 mAh. It's somewhat
similar to car mileage. Drive one 50 mph and it might get 30 mpg.
But drive it 70 mph and the mileage might go down to 25 mpg. It's
the same car, but one published mileage figure can't adequately
describe its gasoline efficiency.

But very few manufacturers publish complete data, and the public
probably prefers seeing a single figure. It may be ambiguous, it
may be slightly misleading, but really, the difference between 2,500
and 2,600 mAh is too small to be of much concern. If the batteries
are rated at 2,600 mAh but are actually comparable to other
manufacturer's 2,000 mAh batteries, that would be another matter.

OhNo wrote:
: why is it that manufacturers now love to over emphasis the capacity of
: NiMh batteries

: I buy Gold Peak GP and written on them in huge numerals is 2600 yet
: when you go searching they state 2500mA.

: Looking through other types and capacities they appear to be doing the
: same from certain sizes up.

: I think this trend is the same for other manufacturers

There are many reasons for this. First if a "standard" battery is 2500,
manufacturers know there are many people who will see 2600 and immediately
purchase their battery assuming it is "better". Second any device
relying on chemical reactions are rated with an understanding that the
actual number may be plus or minus a percentage of that. So a device that
is calculated to be able to provide 2550 mah brand new fresh from the
factory is more likley to fall within a range of values in practical use
when the consumer finally first uses it. If that range of values includes
2600 as well as 2500 they can get away with the bold lettering 2600 while
the offical number is in tiny print. One other way they get away with it
is to put 2600 on the package without the "mah". Thus the 2600 is a model
number or other sort of designation. The fact that most consumers make the
mistake that this is the rated power can't be "blamed" on the
manufacturer. Lastly each individual battery WILL be different in actual
available power. This can be effected by variations in formula, temp, use,
how long it has been stored on a shelf, etc.

The moral of the story always read the fine print when making comparisons.
Then realize that these numbers are an aproximation at best and should not
be taken as an absolute. Also realize that some brands are more
conciencious about their labeling than others. Even with a very honest
brand there will be some percentage of variability and you should take
that into account.

Randy

==========
Randy Berbaum
Champaign, IL

OhNo wrote:
why is it that manufacturers now love to over emphasis the capacity
of NiMh batteries

....

What part of marketing don't you understand? :-)

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

OhNo wrote:
why is it that manufacturers now love to over emphasis the capacity of NiMh
batteries

I buy Gold Peak GP and written on them in huge numerals is 2600 yet when you
go searching they state 2500mA.

Looking through other types and capacities they appear to be doing the same
from certain sizes up.

I think this trend is the same for other manufacturers

The low end batteries do this, but if you buy batteries from Panasonic
or Sanyo, they don't try to use a false capacity as a model number.

OhNo wrote:
why is it that manufacturers now love to over emphasis the capacity of NiMh
batteries

I buy Gold Peak GP and written on them in huge numerals is 2600 yet when you
go searching they state 2500mA.

Looking through other types and capacities they appear to be doing the same
from certain sizes up.

I think this trend is the same for other manufacturers

dj


I have noticed the trend too and it ought to be made illegal. I bought
some batteries and, from the package, they seemed to be 2600mA. Upon
getting them home and opening the package the batteries them self were
marked 2300mA (no where on the package was that indicated and you could
not see the markings on the actual battery because of the way they were
packaged). On top of that, when I tried to take them back and get a
refund the store said that they could not take them back because the
package had been opened. Buyer beware!
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Gardening for over 40 years

To see pictures from my garden visit http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Digital Camera - Pentax *ist DL

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Joseph Meehan wrote:

What part of marketing don't you understand?


The dishonesty.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Gardening for over 40 years

To see pictures from my garden visit http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Digital Camera - Pentax *ist DL

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"Bill R" wrote in message
...
SNIP
I have noticed the trend too and it ought to be made illegal.

Well, depending on your jurisdiction, it is.
It's at least enough to claim a return with full refund, since you
didn't get the product/performance that was claimed, the contract you
entered by purchasing became void. Of course there's always the small
print that states that the actual capacity may be a bit different than
stated.

Bart

Bill R wrote:
Joseph Meehan wrote:


What part of marketing don't you understand?


The dishonesty.


What planet have you been on until now? Nothing new: Caveat
Emptor is not a new phrase

Phil Wheeler wrote:
Bill R wrote:

Joseph Meehan wrote:


What part of marketing don't you understand?



The dishonesty.



What planet have you been on until now? Nothing new: Caveat Emptor is
not a new phrase

I have likely been on this planet a lot longer that you and yes, you are
correct, it has ALWAYS been "Caveat Emptor" but, in the last few
decades, even that won't protect consumers. Some businesses (and the
individuals that work for them) are more dishonest than ever. And being
a senior citizen I likely see that more than you. My generation was a
more trusting one and it is hard for seniors to adjust to a world where
it is sometimes very hard to tell who is honest and who isn't.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Gardening for over 40 years

To see pictures from my garden visit http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Digital Camera - Pentax *ist DL

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail