Kids' toys - "Do not use rechargeable batteries"

R

RainyDay

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I've come across 2 toys this year with warnings not to use rechargeable batteries on the box or instruction book - a 'Happy Feet' dancing/singing voice-activated penguin, and a LeapPad. Do these warnings have any basis in reality, or is it a a scam to encourage more battery-buying?
 
The latter, I suspect. Uniross certainly claim as much:
Sophisticated electronic devices like PDAs might require a more constant voltage than is usual for rechargeable batteries (see here), but I suspect that in such cases the device would contain an appropriate inverter circuit to regulate the power supply.

I'd be pretty sure you can safely use standard rechargeables in a dancing/singing penguin. As long as you can get it to stay still long enough to fit them...
 
That said RainyDay, I think you should feel very lucky that Father Christmas gave you such great little pressies.
 
I bought a battery charger and a suite of batteries in varying sizes and capacities earlier this year, to cater for the growing number of toys and baby accessories we have around the house. To date I've had no problems and have saved a small fortune, so I'd say ignore the warning...
 
Yorky said:
'if there was a short circuit the battery would get very hot and could start a fire'.
Click to expand...

There is lies the main problem. Rechargeable batteries have a very low internal resistance, and are far more lightly to start a fire if shorted. They (excluding the latest generation) don't hold power low long periods of time, so are not suitable for low current devices, the likes of which would last of a year or two + on normal batteries. They also typically supply 1.2 volts when fully charged, while normal batteries give 1.5.
 
 
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