Arlo|Smart Home Security|Wireless HD Security Cameras

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jguerdat
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I recently received a different battery than the ones I was trying before. I previously had used gray UltraFire 2300 may with reasonable results (~350 minutes of recording or 2 months normal usage). I also have some purple GTLs that I haven't tried yet. However, I'm interrupting the test of the GTLs to try new ones - TangsFire 1000 mAh.

 

Right off the bat, I charged them up using the included charger as well as one of my (slightly) older ones. Interestingly, the included charger charged to 4.15v while the other charger went to 4.20v. I charged the GTLs again withe two older chargers and they all came out at 4.10v (all readings were after a few hours rest). Seemingly the higher voltage could last longer although actual discharge rates have to be determined.

 

So, I now have the TangsFire installed in my heavy-usage camera and will continue to report on them. They'll prolly only last for 3 to 4 weeks based on my usage. If anyone else has these batteries, please post your impressions and results here.

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JamesC
Community Manager
Community Manager

I would like to thank you for your posts and contributions! I want to make sure you take a look at an article outlining best practices when it comes to batteries. For those involved in this discussion I encourage you to review Remember these golden rules for your Arlo camera batteries along with BATTERY WARNINGS AND SAFETY.
 
Thank you for sharing! 
 
JamesC

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TomMac
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More info is good info  🙂

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AnthonyArmato
Luminary
Luminary

I almost bought those than I saw the ones I ended up purchasing, the On The Way 2000mAH's. I had always read negative remarks on anything "Fire".

TomMac
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Guru

jguerdat wrote:snip

So, I now have the TangsFire installed in my heavy-usage camera and will continue to report on them. They'll prolly only last for 3 to 4 weeks based on my usage. If anyone else has these batteries, please post your impressions and results here.


 

Ok.. went and looked at them... they all look like the ultrafire but branded differently ( should i say shrink wrap cover )... just like the GTLs and diff colors.

 

I hope they test out well, But I still stand by my original statement...

Haven't seen name brand rechargeables that are really more than half of the regular cells.

All the "name" brands are in the 500-750mahr. 

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jguerdat
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I note that my GTL and UltraFire batteries seem to be the same since the shrink wrap misspells "cost" as "cist" on each. I really don't expect them to be different. The TangsFire have different words although the same general statements as the others. I'm thinking their rating is more realistic, at least for our usage.

TomMac
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I hope so... but not really kicking here as the Ultrafires made 45+days

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RobertRosal
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I look forward to your results.

-Robert
jguerdat
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Guru

Update - 300+ minutes recording with 2 bars now showing.  Don't know exactly when 2 bars showed - had 72 minutes recorded yesterday when I wasn't at home.  Seems better than the UltraFires which had ~230 minutes to 2 bars but I can't draw a real conclusion due to not knowing where in that 72 minutes the batteries tripped the 2 bar threshold.

RobertRosal
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

jguerdat wrote:

Update - 300+ minutes recording with 2 bars now showing.  Don't know exactly when 2 bars showed - had 72 minutes recorded yesterday when I wasn't at home.  Seems better than the UltraFires which had ~230 minutes to 2 bars but I can't draw a real conclusion due to not knowing where in that 72 minutes the batteries tripped the 2 bar threshold.


Hi jguerdat,

 

Did those batteries arrive charged or did you fully charge them before using them?

 

-Robert
jguerdat
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Guru

Every battery I've received was mostly but not fully charged. These were no exception.

RobertRosal
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

Thanks, so far your results look promising!

-Robert
TomMac
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@ jguerdat  

 

when you get the rest of the data in, plse add to the other thread.  tks Tom

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jguerdat
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TomMac wrote:

@ jguerdat  

 

when you get the rest of the data in, plse add to the other thread.  tks Tom


Yes, dear. 😄

 

Btw, I'm Jeff which beats trying to spell my username.

TomMac
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Tks Honey.... I mean Jeff

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TomMac
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jeff...

 

just found this info re Tangsfire.... actual capacity is about 700mahr.

 

 

- Brand: TangsFire
- Color: White
- Quantity: 4
- Type: Li-ion
- Model: 16340
- Mark Capacity: 1000mAh
- Actual Capacity: 700mAh
- Battery Voltage: 3.7V
- Rechargeable: Yes
- Great for flashlight and other products with 3.7V voltage
- Comes with a plastic box to protect batteries
- Packing list:
- 4 x Batteries
- 1 x Box

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jguerdat
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The issue of capacity is more complex than it seems on the surface. The discharge curves I've seen vary widely according to drain level. The catch is, these cameras likely don't have linear discharge rates due to standby, recording (best quality vs. battery saving), IR illuminators and who knows what else. The best we can do is try various batteries until we can settle on a few likely suspects. So far, and this is highly speculative, I think the TangsFire batteries will work as well (or poorly, depending on your point of view) as either the UltraFires or GTLs. The main difference will likely be which is marked closer to actual results in these cameras.

 

Guess we just need a 'Murican company to start making some of these so we might have more recourse if ratings are off.

TomMac
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The issue of capacity is more complex than it seems on the surface. The discharge curves I've seen vary widely according to drain level.


How do u think the china made batteries get a 2300 mahr rate... prob a 5 ma draw!  🙂

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jguerdat
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Maybe I was a bit quick comparing the TFs with the others. I now have 408 minutes and still on 2 bars. Of course, now that I've said that the batteries will die!

 

Right now, though, they're the winner since my others have run out at ~350 minutes worth of recording.

RobertRosal
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

jguerdat wrote:

The issue of capacity is more complex than it seems on the surface. The discharge curves I've seen vary widely according to drain level. The catch is, these cameras likely don't have linear discharge rates due to standby, recording (best quality vs. battery saving), IR illuminators and who knows what else. The best we can do is try various batteries until we can settle on a few likely suspects. So far, and this is highly speculative, I think the TangsFire batteries will work as well (or poorly, depending on your point of view) as either the UltraFires or GTLs. The main difference will likely be which is marked closer to actual results in these cameras.

 

Guess we just need a 'Murican company to start making some of these so we might have more recourse if ratings are off.


It would be great to know how much draw the cameras are taking for each of the instances you have stated.  With those facts and the discharge data that you can find for most rechargeable batteries out there. I believe It would help to narrow down a list of battery choices.  At this point I am guessing on the idle, camera and night draws.

 

For me, I have actually chosen a rechargeable battery that is based on my own usage and rather than basing it on minutes, I am just going on days.  Which is more prevalent to me and may not be for others.

 

Once I have completed my tests, I will share with the community the battery I am using.  I would hate to prematurely recommend a battery and have it perform poorly for everyone.

 

Good or bad I will have my results for everyone to see.

-Robert
jguerdat
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RobertRosal wrote:
For me, I have actually chosen a rechargeable battery that is based on my own usage and rather than basing it on minutes, I am just going on days.  Which is more prevalent to me and may not be for others.

That's as good a measure as any. I use minutes simply because of the usage of one camera. My 350 minutes equates to about 60 days of normal use, meaning 4 minutes per day on average. My batteries have been in place for 23 and 12 days for the reports I've posted. Currently I have 12 days but over 400 minutes. I don't think many people want to see a battery that only lasts 12 days but when they understand how it was used, simple math gives them a better clue.

 

My other camera is much more the norm and I'll also report on its usage which should show whether the minutes or days, or both, will be the most useful guide. And a guide is all that it will ever be.

RobertRosal
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

jguerdat wrote:

RobertRosal wrote:
For me, I have actually chosen a rechargeable battery that is based on my own usage and rather than basing it on minutes, I am just going on days.  Which is more prevalent to me and may not be for others.

That's as good a measure as any. I use minutes simply because of the usage of one camera. My 350 minutes equates to about 60 days of normal use, meaning 4 minutes per day on average. My batteries have been in place for 23 and 12 days for the reports I've posted. Currently I have 12 days but over 400 minutes. I don't think many people want to see a battery that only lasts 12 days but when they understand how it was used, simple math gives them a better clue.

 

My other camera is much more the norm and I'll also report on its usage which should show whether the minutes or days, or both, will be the most useful guide. And a guide is all that it will ever be.


Pleas keep us posted!  Your results so far look to be a winner!

-Robert
TomMac
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RobertRosal wrote:
For me, I have actually chosen a rechargeable battery that is based on my own usage and rather than basing it on minutes, I am just going on days.  Which is more prevalent to me and may not be for others.


For me with average or close to spec use, like you ( I use about 5 mins per day record time ) , days count... It's that there are to many variances with usage. I don't have the heavy usage like Jeff.

 

But, like Jeff, I find I'm getting 30-50 days with the same batteries... I av at 40 days and with batteries ( rechargables ) I swap them out when I hit 2 bars or about 35 days. ( after two bars they for me go 7-10 days additional )

 

So pick the ones you like/work best for you and if you have enough data, fill in the thread info here;

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Buying-Options-Tips/Rechargable-battery-usage-vs-time-by-type-post-...

 

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RobertRosal
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

Will definitely fill in the info, thanks for the link.

-Robert
TomMac
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Guru

Tangsfire cells running good , so far 6 days data.... not enough ovb to make any type of call, but cells doing nothing abnormal.

They are following curve like others tested so far ( which avg 40 days ) but things change fast with rechargables.

 

Also a note these are the first run of cells and tho fairly matched, not what I would call seasoned ( 2-3 full charge/ discharges ).

 

Chart so far;

 

tang 1-6.JPG

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jguerdat
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Guru

On day 17 with a record 640+ minutes recorded so far and still on 2 bars. Can't tell you voltages but these are looking killer for my usage, given that the previous record was something over 350.

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