Interesting you mention the cold weather issue—I ran into something similar when I tried NiMH batteries in my garage keypad last winter. At first, everything seemed great, but after a couple of months, I noticed the keypad response got sluggish on colder mornings. Thought it was just my imagination at first, but nope, definitely a pattern.
Did you notice if your NiMH batteries were fully charged when the temperature dropped? I've heard that NiMH can lose charge faster in cold conditions compared to lithium-ion, which might explain why they didn't hold up as well for either of us. Lithium-ion batteries seem to handle temperature fluctuations better overall, probably because they're designed to maintain voltage more consistently.
That said, NiMH batteries aren't necessarily bad—they're usually cheaper and easier to find replacements for. If you're in a milder climate or your keypad isn't exposed directly to harsh outdoor conditions, they might work just fine. But if reliability in winter is a priority, lithium-ion does seem like the safer bet.
Also curious—did you try different brands or capacities of NiMH? Sometimes higher-capacity batteries or reputable brands can make a noticeable difference. I experimented briefly with some generic ones and then switched to Eneloops (which are supposed to be pretty reliable), but even those struggled a bit in freezing temps.
Anyway, glad you brought this up—battery choice isn't something most people think about until they're stuck outside fumbling with a frozen keypad... (been there, done that).
Interesting points about NiMH batteries, but I’m not totally convinced lithium-ion is always the best alternative here. Couple quick thoughts from my own experience:
- Lithium-ion batteries definitely handle cold better overall, but they can have their own quirks—like voltage drops under heavy load at low temps. I’ve seen this with a cordless drill that struggled on frosty mornings, even though it had a lithium pack.
- Also, lithium-ion batteries are usually pricier and sometimes harder to find in standard sizes like AA or AAA. That can be a hassle if you just want a quick replacement.
- I’ve actually found lithium primary cells (like Energizer lithium AA) to be more reliable in outdoor keypads. They’re not rechargeable, but their shelf life and cold-weather performance are top-notch. Been using them in my front door keypad through two winters now without a single hiccup.
- NiMH can still be fine if you swap them out regularly. Maybe the issue isn’t just temperature but also self-discharge rates? Even good ones like Eneloops lose some charge over time, especially in cold.
Just my two cents...battery tech is always a trade-off between convenience, cost, and performance.
Good points about lithium primaries—I’ve had similar luck with those Energizer lithium AAs in outdoor gear. NiMH definitely has its place, but yeah, the self-discharge can be a pain if you’re not swapping them regularly. Honestly, battery choice always feels like picking your poison...cost, convenience, or reliability. Glad you found something that works well for your keypad though—nothing worse than fumbling around outside in the cold because batteries decided to quit.
"Honestly, battery choice always feels like picking your poison...cost, convenience, or reliability."
Couldn't agree more. I tried rechargeable NiMH batteries in my keypad at first to save money, but the constant swapping got old fast—especially in winter. Ended up switching to lithium primaries too, and they've been solid for months now. Sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves headaches down the road. Glad yours is working out!
Sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves headaches down the road.
I've been debating this exact thing lately. Thought I'd be clever and stick with rechargeables, but after fumbling around in the dark at 2 AM because the keypad died AGAIN... lithium primaries are sounding pretty tempting right now. Are they really lasting months for you?
