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Can I use rechargeable batteries in my DIY kit?

No, use alkaline batteries; rechargeables supply 1.2V instead of 1.5V, causing dropped connections, dim screens and resets.

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Written by Albert Gajsak

Use standard alkaline cells rather than rechargeables. Rechargeable AA and AAA cells supply 1.2V where alkalines supply 1.5V, and the kits are designed around the higher figure.

On 1.2V cells you are likely to see:

  • Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections dropping.

  • A dim or flickering screen, or dim LEDs.

  • The device resetting on its own while you use it.

These are voltage symptoms rather than a fault, and running on rechargeables will not damage the kit. So if a kit is behaving oddly on batteries, a fresh set of alkalines is the first thing to swap in before you look for anything else.

This applies to kits that take replaceable cells. Kits with a built-in rechargeable battery charge over USB and need nothing added.

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