Use of Rechargeable Batteries in Arlo Web Cams

[sirsteve1968]

Hello,

Two part question - on the Arlo Web cam battery readout, this past Sunday I was at about 70% on one of my cameras. The very next day, it was down to 9%!!! There was no abnormal activity and would like to know what on earth caused such a drain? I even took the batteries out and back in as that sometimes does the trick to no avail. Any ideas?

Second - I replaced the real batteries with rechargeble ones. Saw mixed reviews on using these kind and on our Arlo help section, it says NOT TO USE THEM! I have new ones coming in tonight that I can replace with, but any one have any advice on this?

Thanks all!

[TomMac · Accepted solution]

First part.... No clue.  May have been a glitch, some have seen one lately with a sw update.  Only real thing to do is throw in new batteries and keep an eye on it.

There's even a possibility that it went defective.

Second part

read these;

http://www.netgear.com/images/pdf/Arlo_battery_flyer.pdf

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Arlo-Knowledge-Base/Remember-these-golden-rules-for-your-Arlo-camer...

When Arlo first came out, rechargeable were ok... then due to the fake/ crap / defective / china batteries people were buying online, there was a problem.

( search way back and you may find the thread ) On user had batteries without a PCB to prevent over-discharge and it melted his camera.

This must have gotten the lawyers thinking oh--oh... and change came about that the rechargeables ARE NOT RECOMMENDED now.

I can't tell you if you should or shouldn't use them, that's your choice. 

I do, but I also make sure they are a KNOWN brand and has overcharge/overdischarge curcuit built in to make it as safe as possible. ( and use the proper quality charger )

[sirsteve1968]

Tom, 

This is the setup I've been using for rechargeables:

ON THE WAY®6pcs 16340 CR123A LR123A 3.7V 880mAh Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery + Dual Wall Charger

Is this similar to what you have?

[TomMac]

I don't know of anyone using them...and just be aware of two things. There are currently 3-4 types of cells being tested righ now in some of the threads, and I'd only go with the top 3 brands I know... Nitecores, Eagletecs, Olights (my personal opinion.. in that order )

thread last page here; https://community.netgear.com/t5/Buying-Options-Tips/Rechargeable-batteries-for-use-with-Arlo-camera...

1) manf's variance allow different lenghts in the 16340 cells,  users have found some to be a bit long and hard to close the battery door

2) you physically can't fit more than about 700 mahr of chemistry in that size package, so any battery that says more I wonder abbout right off the bat ( don't even consider any that say > 1000mahr like a lot of the china cells )

I'm currently running Nitecore 3.7v/650 mahr cells and I like them ( along with an intelligent D4 charger )

BTW ., read the warning on the below page re li-ion cells

http://www.batteryjunction.com/nitecore-nl166.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ECI%2...

PS... notice the price diff BTW, sometimes you do what you pay for

[sirsteve1968]

Thank you for this awesome information. I will research this and for now, stick w/the regular batteries until I find the ones you mention. Maybe Amazon has the one you prefer using. 

[sirsteve1968]

I found this on Amazon and seems to be what you are using with the discharge protection, etc:

Nitecore RCR123A 3.7V 650mA 2.4Wh 650mAh Protected Li-ion Rechargeable Battery-Black+Yellow(NL166)