Battery packs

[Ripred]

Hi yall, I've just started using a new Xbox controller with my PC which has been a Treat plugging into my 4k tv replaying favorites via controller but due to my own ignorance about anything xbox I didn't realize the controller takes regular batteries...my first thought was what F@in year is this? but after I calmed down and thought about how nice it must be to be able to quick swap battery packs (glaring at useless ps4 controller that wont charge) I found there are sold separate rechargeable options so I'm here to get some suggestion/recommendations 

[SpookyCitrus]

Whichever rechargeable battery pack that is compatible with the controller you have, has good reviews, and is within your price range to purchase. Follow those steps and you can't really go wrong. As for which pack to recommend specifically? No idea. I've always just bought rechargeable Xbox controllers. 

[Ripred]

3 minutes ago, SpookyCitrus said:

Whichever rechargeable battery pack that is compatible with the controller you have, has good reviews, and is within your price range to purchase. Follow those steps and you can't really go wrong. As for which pack to recommend specifically? No idea. I've always just bought rechargeable Xbox controllers. 

Thanks

Yea I've never been in the Xbox scene so I didn't know I just happened to have it in my mind I wanted a controller for my PC and happened to see $30 Xbox controller,seemed like a good price considering it's almost $80 for PlayStation or joycons 

[Bombastinator]

1 hour ago, lotus10101 said:

Hi yall, I've just started using a new Xbox controller with my PC which has been a Treat plugging into my 4k tv replaying favorites via controller but due to my own ignorance about anything xbox I didn't realize the controller takes regular batteries...my first thought was what F@in year is this? but after I calmed down and thought about how nice it must be to be able to quick swap battery packs (glaring at useless ps4 controller that wont charge) I found there are sold separate rechargeable options so I'm here to get some suggestion/recommendations 

I’ve heard good things about LIFEPOD batteries.  Nitecore is often a reliable brand.  They were developed for night diving equipment.  Having some rechargable letter batteries (aaa, aa, c,d) can be handy.  I use 18650s mostly, but they’re always rechargable, and I don’t know that they would fit in a controller anyway.

In which I ramble about chargers

Spoiler

For any type of rechargable battery you will want a charger.  Sometimes the charger  is included in the battery pack or the device. Some chargers will charge more than one type of battery (mine will do most things but not LiFEPODS for example.  I’ve got an xtar dragon 50 iirc)

 

in which I ramble about how batteries work

Spoiler

There are a bajillion chemistries.  The danger with rechargable batteries is for a while (and maybe still) the things were listed as 1.3v instead of 1.5v.  They didn’t work in some things and for others they didn’t work for long.  Batteries are a bit like balloons. They start at a high wattage and drop slowly until they are no longer able to power the thing in question and the number is the average.  3.7w lithium batteries (there are a bunch of chemistries) are 4.1-2.5 generally.  Different devices will cut out at different wattages. Generally higher than 2.5.  I’ve seen 3v, I’ve seen lower.  What this means is if the average wattage is lower than the standard listed average you may need to find out what their actual charged and discharged voltage is and what the working range of your device is.

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Bombastinator