Rechargeable lithium batteries
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: BOHUNTER09
06-Apr-23
Trailcampro has a rechargeable lithium battery which their testing indicates is good for trail cameras. They are Amp Torrents. I have ordered enough for two cameras to try
From: DanaC
06-Apr-23
Let us know how they work out. I tried two kinds and they didn't work in trail cams. Good in flashlights, tho'.
From: spike78
06-Apr-23
Yup my rechargeable batteries lasted 2 to 3 weeks garbage.
From: Beendare
06-Apr-23
I've seen a wide range of results with Rechargeable batteries.
Some are excellent, some leak current like a sieve. It seems there is a difference in the quality of chip these have integrated into them. The Orbitron [ I think is what they are called] and the Sanyo's are excellent.
From: X-Master
08-Apr-23
I have been experimenting with Tenergy NIMH rechargeables for the last few months with positive results. I think that the key to using any rechargeables in any camera is to make sure the camera and the batteries are compatible. Most all of the older cameras will not work with rechargeables - period. I have found that only cameras made in the last year or two will work with them. Another key is to read reviews and buy only those cameras that give the BEST battery life (uses least voltage) on both stand by and taking the actual picture for any type of battery. This didn't used to be an issue, but it is now since batteries prices have gone out of sight. NIMH batteries have a dis-charge curve similar to lithium and much better than alkaline with the advantage of being able to recharge. I have got up to 12-15K pictures(only) before recharge with them. They will also handle a wider temperature range (similar to lithium) than alkaline. The con is that they will self-discharge a little while on the shelf or in storage. You need to check them periodically before each use.
From: Wildan2
08-Apr-23
I ordered 12 of the Amp Torrents;about the same price as 24 Lithiums or a solar charger.Time will tell.
From: greenmountain
08-Apr-23
In my experience batteries don't last as long as advertised. My newer trail cameras insist on not using the NIMH batteries. Since I had a high failure rate of the newer cameras I went to amazon and bought a couple cameras that allowed that nimh were acceptable. I have noticed that I have to recharge every month or two but the pictures and videos are as good or better than the name brand cameras. I was very disappointed with the Energizer ultimate lithium's They were spent in days.
From: BOHUNTER09
12-Apr-23
Received the batteries today. Each 4 pack has a charger included. Got them charged up and I will try them starting tomorrow.
From: Lost Arra
12-Apr-23
Like an idiot I forgot about a trail camera in the woods. It was powered by Energizer Ultimate Lithiums that was out for over a year on a deer hunting spot (private land). When I found it while trimming shooting lanes the following season it was still working. That sold me on the Energizers and I haven't looked for alternatives although the longevity might be due to the camera.
The card had over 4000 photos of hogs, deer, coons, coyotes, armadillos, possums and bobcats but only one big buck and he showed up only three weekdays in November. I'm retired now so his weekday walkabouts might not be safe. I also had 4 months of photos of a newborn fawn growing up and hanging with mom. I like to assume it was the same fawn but it was fun to see.
From: sundowner
12-Apr-23
Most rechargeable AAA, AA, C, and D size cells only have an output of 1.2 volts. Non rechargeable batteries typically have a 1.5 volt output. So, if your trail camera is designed to hold 8 AA batteries, it most likely needs 12 volts (8 X 1.5) minimum to operate at it's best. If you install rechargeable batteries you're operating the camera on +/- 2.4 volts less than it was designed for. The camera may still work, but pics may be darker, and the batteries will not last as long as non- rechargeables.
From: APauls
12-Apr-23
Wasn’t impressed with Tactacam lithium rechargeable pack
From: Buckdeer
13-Apr-23
I have found that the solar panels more than pay for themselves on cameras that take high numbers of pictures.I haven't changed batteries in over a year and the camera takes at least 500 pics a week
From: BOHUNTER09
13-Apr-23
Amp torrent says they are 3.7 volts regulated by a chip to constant 1.5 volt output. Putting them in two cameras today
From: DanaC
16-Apr-23
Buckdeer, does that solar panel actually power the camera, or does it keep the batteries topped off? (Or some combination of both?)
From: BOHUNTER09
20-Apr-23
One week into rechargeable trial. Both deltas are set up to transmit every 3 hours for maximum battery usage. Both started at 93%. The edge is 6 winter months with lithium ion energizers
From: Manager
20-Apr-23
Interesting BOHUNTER09. I also received the email on the Amp Torrents AA rechargeables. And was hoping you would give an update on their performance. With the crazy insane prices of the Energizer Lithium Ion batteries. Please keep following up with your test results. Thanks
From: BOHUNTER09
09-May-23
Report at 30 days. Neither camera has shown any drop in charge. Both are 92-93 percent which is the same as the initial reading
From: Manager
10-May-23
About how many pics or videos have the cameras with the Amp Torrents taken in your 30 day report ?
From: BOHUNTER09
10-May-23
Getting about 5-10 transmitted each day on each camera. The Edge is running on standard lithium AA batteries installed December 2022
From: BOHUNTER09
30-Jun-23
Here’s a final report on the rechargeable batteries. They lasted more than three months in the Moultrie Delta and Delta vzw. I have shut down both cameras for the summer. The regular Delta took and transmitted half the photos of the Deltavzw but the battery charge dropped faster in it. Even when it was at 2% charge, it still took photos and transmitted normally. I’m really satisfied with the performance at this point. I hope they last many seasons
From: Zbone
30-Jun-23
Maybe I'm reading this wrong but has the lithium ion energizers in the Edge held up longer and is still at 100%?
From: BOHUNTER09
01-Jul-23
Yes. They have been in use since December. The edge camera is much more energy efficient. It also has 16 batteries vs 12 in the rechargeable cameras tested
From: DonVathome
02-Jul-23
I have had OK kuck with amazon brand, make sure you get the one that holds more juice. That said I am very curious how this goes. Thanks for sharing
From: IsaacMoore
29-Oct-23
That sounds like a great idea! Rechargeable lithium batteries can be a convenient and eco-friendly choice for trail cameras. It's awesome that you're giving Amp Torrents from Trailcampro a shot. I hope they work out well for your cameras. If you're ever looking for more options or information on eco-friendly power solutions, you can check out http://ecozonepower.com/ too.
From: BOHUNTER09
16-Nov-23
To finalize this discussion. This fall I used the Aa rechargeable lithium ion batteries in two Moultrie Delta cell cameras they have performed flawlessly. I put those two cameras out in early September so after 3 months of 3-10 photos per day both are still maintaining charges of 86 and 92%. I also added two Moultrie Edge cameras and since Moultrie now offers rechargeable lithium ion battery packs to replace AA batteries in the Edge cameras, I have included that information
The Edge battery packs are still at 98 and 99%. Moultrie is offering an Edge camera with rechargeable battery pack for $99. The saving on batteries will pay for the camera many times over
From: Shiloh
16-Nov-23
I bought a BUNCH of the amp torrent batteries and have struggled with them so far. I am not one to tinker with stuff. It either works or it doesn't. I did figure out that I might have a defective charger and I eliminated it, but I still have cameras that one day will be showing 95% and the next day they will be at 5%. I have 5 moultries and enough batteries to run them all and have a fresh pack ready to go. I am now considering replacing a few older cameras with the edge/battery pack combo. I am just not convinced with these rechargeable AA's. They are OK at best, but nothing like the lithium AA's that I have used in the past. I am transmitting pics and videos on most of my cameras and I am not sure how much this draws them down.
From: Beendare
16-Nov-23
Worth mentioning-
Standard batteries leak current…we just don’t see it
The big advantage IMO to rechargeable batteries is they don’t leak.
I’ve had a couple devices wrecked by leaking AA batteries including my Foxpro. Remove those std batteries if you aren’t going to use
From: DonVathome
16-Nov-23
I have been waiting for someone to make rechargeable lithiums that work in trail cam's. It is very shocking that it has taken this long. There have got to be a lot of other things that also do not work right. Amazing this is still an issue. Hopefully some work soon.
From: KSflatlander
16-Nov-23
Tactacam has rechargeable lithium battery packs.
From: renegade
23-Nov-23
Apauls x2. I wouldn't recommend Tactacam battery packs I put a full charged pack in my reveal pro on 12/08 and on 12/23 it was at 20%. I think alkaline would last longer. The one with energizer lithium's has been out all season and is still at 100%
From: Shiloh
23-Nov-23
I would love to still be using energizer lithiums, but at $2.50 per battery I am looking for a better deal
From: DanaC
23-Nov-23
" I’ve had a couple devices wrecked by leaking AA batteries including my Foxpro. "
All my leaks have been from one brand - Duracell. Use mostly regular Energizers now, lithiums in winter.
From: 2Wild Bill
23-Nov-23
While I'm glad to hear improvement in performance, I'm also concerned with the fire hazard they pose. Do you leave your batteries to recharge while away from the vicinity? I've begun to unplug my laptop and any charging station while away from home.
