It's a Schlage FE599/BE369 type. It's 4 AA batteries but should I get alkaline, NiCad or lithium?
Does your device manual say anything for your specific device? Many will recommend common alkaline batteries, which are neither of the above, as NiMH are generally a bit lower voltage and lithium are usually a little higher and may cause damage from excessive motor force. [EDIT: Didn't even see you said NiCad and don't know how they'd fare, but they're harder to find these days anyway...my guess is similar or worse to NiMH.]
FWIW, I use regular alkalines in mine and normally only need to replace them about once a year, though I have a BE468 and 469, not yours specifically. I imagine you'd need to recharge NiMH every few months and your battery reporting wil probably show lower than it should (I know these aren't normally reliable to start with, but it is often at least helpful for alkalines). But if I had to choose between the two, I guess that's what I'd do.
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I'm not even sure where the manual went to. I looked it up online and saw that what LOOKS like ours states non rechargeable alkaline. Figured I just check with real world feedback.
I would suggest Eveready Max alkaline batteries.
- NiCad are obsolete
- I've found (painfully) that duracell leak like crazy.
- Lithium are great but I don't believe the cost / longevity is very good.
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I’ve used alkaline and lithium batteries in my locks. Lithium last longer, but not commensurate with the price versus alkaline. Battery reporting is much more realistic/reliable with alkaline. With lithium, the batteries seem to drop maybe to ~70%, then they’re dead.
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I just put quality alkaline in.
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While this will vary with discharge current load, the discharge profile of lithium can be very steep .....
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Especially when powering something motorized versus a sensor. Like how a lithium power tool works right up until it doesn’t.
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I’ve always used Lithium and get about 2.5 years out of the batteries. But as others mention they die quickly but I have multiple locks so likelihood of both failing at the same time is rare so worth the risk for me. Alkaline on a few different doors lasted a year.
Alkaline on my Schlage BE-469 pretty much since I've owned it. Get well over a year and no "OK and then suddenly empty" surprises.
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I use alkaline batteries in my FE599.
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