wiimotes and rechargables

[guyjin]

EDIT: this is wrong. See posts below.

Well, I made an expensive mistake today. Spent nearly 50 bucks on rechargable batteries and a charger for them, but turns out they don't work with my wiimotes; they refuse to sync, but otherwise appear to operate normally (flashing lights when you push buttons, etc)

So I do a little research on the internet, and reports conflict on what rechargables work for the wiimotes. Some insist Ni-MH or Ni-Cd are the only way to go, while others insist only rechargable alkalines will work.

I think I've discovered the truth: it's not well advertised, but your standard alkaline is rated for 1.5 volts. the rechargables I picked up are rated only 1.2; Milliamp hours (mAH) are irrelevant if they won't put out the voltage you need. 

anyone actually use rechargables on their wiimotes? what brand is good? (and puts out 1.5 volts at least?)

[Black Tiger]

I use the same Duracell NiMH 1,2V/2050mAh rechargable AA's in my Wii remote that I use in my Xbox 360 pad.

I've never had any problems other than the remote becoming less responsive as the batteries get low.

Maybe you didn't put the batteries in the right way. (sorry, couldn't resist) 

[grahf]

I use rechargables without any trouble. Cheap radioshack brand, that are about 4 years old. All AA size nicad and nimh batteries are 1.2v. Some will output slightly higher at full charge (as is the nature of rechargables).

[Keranu]

I use some NiMH batteries and they work fine, other than the fact that they need recharged pretty quick. It doesn't seem to get less sensitive over time for me, instead the controller just likes to turn off when the batteries are out.

[guyjin]

how strange. I had taken out the rechargables, to take them to my parents (they can use 'em) but after reading this, I put them in again. they worked.

I have 3 explanations.
1: I'm a dumbass and did, in fact, put the batteries in wrong.
2: the batteries were still warm from charging when I tried the first time. They had cooled by now, and this had some effect.
3: sunspots or other weird EM interference.

EDIT: just charged the second set of batteries (it only does one set of 4 at a time.) despite their 'hotness', they worked perfectly. so I'm now betting on #1.

[Kitsunexus]

The coolest:

http://nfggames.com/neography/pivot/entry.php?id=425&w=nfg_games#body

[guyjin]

my batteries did not cost $10 apeice. they cost less than 6.25 apeice, and that's including the charger. therefore they are cooler. 

[Kitsunexus]

my batteries did not cost $10 apeice.

And they didn't have USB plugs either...

[Necromancer]

my batteries did not cost $10 apeice.

And they didn't have USB plugs either...

And they don't require a computer to recharge either...

[Kitsunexus]

my batteries did not cost $10 apeice.

And they didn't have USB plugs either...

And they don't require a computer to recharge either...

If you read that article, you'd realize that you could buy a USB extension cord, and plug it into the USB ports on the Wii, and charge your batteries like that...

[Necromancer]

True enough, but you'd also need a hub to plug in all the batteries (assuming more than one controller).  Furthermore, are the usb ports always powered, or are they off when the Wii is shut off?  Don't get me wrong, these usb batteries are a neat little gimmick, but it's a little more convenient to stick eight AAs in one charger plugged into any ol' outlet.  Or even better: http://nyko.com/nyko/products/?i=102.  Just set the controller in the cradle for recharging (except the 8 hour charge time is pretty long).

[Kitsunexus]

True enough, but you'd also need a hub to plug in all the batteries (assuming more than one controller).  Furthermore, are the usb ports always powered, or are they off when the Wii is shut off?  Don't get me wrong, these usb batteries are a neat little gimmick, but it's a little more convenient to stick eight AAs in one charger plugged into any ol' outlet.  Or even better: http://nyko.com/nyko/products/?i=102.  Just set the controller in the cradle for recharging (except the 8 hour charge time is pretty long).

They're always powered. You could use a hub, but the batteries are thick so you might not be able to plug them all in, thats why the article suggests the USB extension cord.

But you're right, it's probably cheaper and better just to use the charger...

[FM-77]

USB chargers suck. They are unable to fully charge the batteries.