I've got 12 cameras that use 8 AA each. They last about 4 months then have to be replaced. I have 17 OnTime elite feeders that use 10 AA each. 5 of those I keep running all year (2 at the farm and 3 at the hunt club). A set of those batteries throwing two times a day for 8 seconds will last about a yearly. I don't use rechargeable batteries. I can buy a zillion of the good AA's in bulk at Lowe's or Home Depot. Just not worth the hassle as long as they last.