We have a pair of Binatone cordless units and one has batteries that bleep a warning after only a few minutes on a call. The two AA Ni-CD cells are obviously on their last legs. I've got several NiMH rechargeables lying around after updating to a new camera - could I simply use two of those, or would the base unit charger not cope with them?

Thanks in advance

You could try them, but if the phone was designed only to charge NiCd batteries, it may not charge the NIMH batteries correctly.

I have also known problems where people have replaced the recommended rechargeable batteries (e.g. 800 mAh batteries) with the latest hi capacity batteries (e.g. 2500 mAh batteries). It depends on the charging circuitry of the phone whether they can charge the higher capacity batteries.

As the current batteries are NiCd, they are liable to the dreaded 'memory effect'. Have you tried completely discharging the batteries and then recharging them a couple of times to try and revive them?

If that doesn't work, probably best to just buy some new NiCd batteries of similar capacity to the current ones.

I got replacement rechargeable batteries for my Binatone phone at a car boot for £3.

Often you'll find these stores that unlock mobiles also have cordless phone batteries for sale.

They can buy them in for 99p - £1.50 trade for many models, I could buy them in myself, but wouldn't sell enough of them.

AA NiCds are available on the high street e.g. Dixons, Wilkinsons, Supermarkets, etc

Maplin also stock them, together with a range of the more specialist batteries that cordless phones often take.

Also try http://www.budgetbatteries.co.uk
That's where we got the batteries for our home phone.

Have you tried:

http://www.battery-force.co.uk/

They are a very good company.

Brooke Bond