# About rechargeable batteries for my walkman **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 16, 2005, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234 "2005-08-16T07:33:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/1 "2005-08-16T07:33:09Z")
I have a Sony walkman that is a few years old. It came with Sony rechargeable batteries, and they recharged when I plugged the walkman into the wall. Those batteries don’t work any more and I’m sick of buying new batteries. So, I thought, great, I’ll just get some more of those Sony ones. I looked on the [website](http://www.sony.com.au/catalog/product.jsp;jsessionid=0BS5HR1CCXAZECWSCFBCFEQK0IIUGIV0?categoryId=23868#), and the walkman batteries are $44.95! ARGH!!! There are some other batteries on the website that are a bit cheaper. My questions are: Does it matter if I don’t get the $45 batteries? Does it matter if the batteries are not Sony? Will I still be able to use the walkman to charge the batteries? I don’t want to use some other rechargeable batteries and blow up my walkman! If I have to have the Sony walkman batteries, is it worth pay $45, or would it be cheaper in the long run to keep buying “disposable” ones? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/2 "2005-08-16T10:07:27Z")
Well I don’t know for sure, but if standard disposable AAA batteries work, then any rechargable battery should work. As far as I can tell theres nothing special about the sony batteries. Regular aaa Ni-MH batteries should charge in your walkman just fine. ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/3 "2005-08-16T13:00:14Z")
I don’t want to plug here, but a year ago I got this 15 minute charger with a pair of 15 minute batteries for like $20.00. I burn through the batteries like 3-4 times a week, but with a 15 minute charge it was like always having fresh batteries. The claim no memory loss and after a year the original two batteries work fine. Best investment I ever made. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/4 "2005-08-16T15:53:23Z")
Just try some regular batteries. If they work, fine. I doubt they’d design something that can’t work with regular batteries. Then you can get a recharger and a set of rechargable batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/5 "2005-08-16T19:02:42Z")
The first thing that popped into my head is: A brand new walkman costs a lot less than $45, so I’d just buy a new walkman that takes AA batteries and use standard NiMH batteries in it…probably longer lasting, and certainly cheaper to replace. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/6 "2005-08-16T19:18:14Z")
I think the question is what makes the “NHWM2AA” model batteries special. It’s significantly more expensive than the Ni-Mh AA batteries listed on the same page, yet both seem to be rechargeable AA batteries. I’m afraid I have no answer. By the way, what is the model of the Walkman in question, and the model number of the battery that came with it? And for those who didn’t not the OP’s location, that’s $45 AUD, or about $35 US. Though that’s still a lot of money for a set of batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/7 "2005-08-16T20:04:24Z")
NiMh batts that you purchase on your own should be just fine. While premium ones can last longer, the difference isn’t so significant to warrant the huge diff in price. ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/8 "2005-08-16T21:12:47Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > I think the question is what makes the “NHWM2AA” model batteries special. It’s significantly more expensive than the Ni-Mh AA batteries listed on the same page, yet both seem to be rechargeable AA batteries. > > I’m afraid I have no answer. > > By the way, what is the model of the Walkman in question, and the model number of the battery that came with it? > > And for those who didn’t not the OP’s location, that’s $45 AUD, or about $35 US. Though that’s still a lot of money for a set of batteries. Yes, that’s my question. I know that it can take normal AA batteries - that’s what I’ve been using. I want to know if I _have_ to use the $45 dollars ones to use the built in recharger, or if I can use any rechargeables, or even if the other Sony rechargeables on the site will do. I don’t want to buy another walkman. The one I have cost around $250 and works fine. [This](http://www.sony.com.au/catalog/product.jsp;jsessionid=LYNOU4XGPBS4GCWSCFBCFEQK0IIUGIV0?id=DEJ725) is the model I have. The batteries that came with it have “walkman” on them, so I’m pretty sure they are the $45 ones. ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/9 "2005-08-16T21:14:47Z")
> [@Harmonix](#): > > Well I don’t know for sure, but if standard disposable AAA batteries work, then any rechargable battery should work. As far as I can tell theres nothing special about the sony batteries. Regular aaa Ni-MH batteries should charge in your walkman just fine. Well, that’s one vote for yes. You don’t sound certain, though. I was hoping some battery expert would come in. Heh. I _really_ don’t want to blow up my walkman! ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/10 "2005-08-16T21:42:03Z")
How long does it take your cd player to charge the old sonys? The only Special Nimh batteries I’ve ever heard of are the ones that charge in 15 minutes – and those are compatible with regular chargers as well. If it makes you feel any better i’d say i’m 98% certain. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/11 "2005-08-16T22:10:51Z")
> [@Burnt Sugar](#): > > I want to know if I _have_ to use the $45 dollars ones to use the built in recharger… That is my WAG. The Walkman’s battery compartment may have something in it (a microswitch or third electrical contact) that recognizes a SONY Walkman brand rechargeable battery. This will (1) prevent the Walkman from trying to charge a non-rechargeable battery, and (2) allow SONY to charge lots of money for their special battery. Look in the battery compartment and see if there’s something like it. If this is correct, there’s no harm in putting a non-Walkman rechargeable AA batteries in it. But you have to take the batteries out and charge them using a separate charger. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/12 "2005-08-16T22:23:36Z")
> [@parthenokinesis](#): > > I don’t want to plug here, but a year ago I got this 15 minute charger with a pair of 15 minute batteries for like $20.00. I burn through the batteries like 3-4 times a week, but with a 15 minute charge it was like always having fresh batteries. The claim no memory loss and after a year the original two batteries work fine. Best investment I ever made. I’ll second this. Bought one at Radio Shack, and I love it. Saves me from having to continuously buy new AAA batteries for my MP3 player. And, just so there’s no confusion, the battery CHARGES in 15 minutes (not LASTS 15 minutes). It then dispenses power for about 8 hours of personal-stereo use. ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rechargeable-batteries-for-my-walkman/317234/13 "2005-08-16T22:40:06Z")
I can’t see any weird things in the battery compartment. Do you think it would _hurt_ to see if it will charge normal rechargeables? Also, another question I’ve thought of: I’ve got one of those cords that plugs into the lighter in the car which powers my phone. My walkman mentions 4.5 volts. If the one in my car is a 4.5 volt thingy, can I use it to power my walkman? Sorry I can’t explain it in better terms. I’m really not a technophile!