Battery chargers.

I need a Ni-MH battery charger-anyone got any recommendations?



Coggy.

[geminian68]

Been using one of these for years


Charges NiMH/NiCad 4xAA/AAA, or 2x9V batteries

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uniross-RC10.../dp/B00008GSXK

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Ive got one of these, very good and quick

http://www.uniross.com/consumer_html...C103150&type=2

However you dont say what sze batteries you want to charge

[Delta Whiskey]

I've got this one: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...18438&doy=13m9
and this one: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...48583&doy=13m9

[AbyssUnderground]

Bit of advice, if the batteries you're going to be charging are for a digital camera, don't get a quick charger. They don't properly charge the battery and you'll find the camera won't work for as long as if you put it on a long 12-16 hour charge. Its something called the peukert effect, very technical so I won't go into it.

[altis]

There are many different types of NiMh charger so best to make sure you know what you are buying.

The most basic charger just limits the current being supplied to the cells. These are very slow and, if you inadvertantly leave them on, you can overcook the cells.

Next up we have something similar but with a timer to cut off the current after a certain time. Safer but still slow.

Next we have those chargers with some sort of charge termination. These are much faster but can still take 4 hours to completely recharge an AA cell - longer for larger capacity cells. Note that NiCd and NiMh have slightly different charge characteristics so you need to get the appropriate charger or, more commonly, one with a switch.

Then we have the fast chargers that have several charge rates and two methods (temperature and dV/dt) of charge termination. These can take as little as 15 minutes to recharge a high capacity cell. However, note that a 2500mAh cell's lifetime appears to be reduced from about 250 cycles down to 200 when exclusively charged this way.

Finally, we have the very inteligent chargers that can be configured to do whatever you want.

For one of these bells-and-whistles charge try the Maha C9000.
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=maha+c9000

For a 15-minute charger try the Energizer
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=energizer+15-minute

For a 30-minute charger try the U-Smart from GP batteries
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=u-smart

Both these chargers have an external, plug top, power supply. You can get adapters to run them from a cigar lighter socket instead.

For more background information check out this forum. In paticular, look for posts by SilverFox who knows this stuff inside out:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...isplay.php?f=9

And finally, some info about cells. The capacity of a cell is usually given in milliamp hours or mAh. The larger the number the greater the capacity. For example, a 2000mAh cell will source 200mA for 10 hours before it goes flat. These days you can get AA cells up to about 2800mAh but beware - many manufacturers lie! You really need to look at the specs instead of simply reading the number printed on the side. Also note that this increased capacity has been at the expense of longevity. Cells up to around 2000mAh seem to last for around 500 cycles but the highest capacity cells are only half that.

If you're looking for some top-notch rechargable AA cells then I'd thoroughly recommend the Eneloop from Sanyo. Although these 'only' have 2000mAh capacity they have an extremely low self discharge rate. This means that they will still work months after you have charged them - unlike ordinary NiMh cells. They will also provide a whopping output current and seem to be very reliable.
http://www.eneloop.info/

Well I'm quite prepared for overnight charging..speed is not an issue for me.Reliability and value for money are more important...I can stick with boring old alkaline or use oxyride batteries but I did want to be more environmentally friendly.

Yes I want AA 's for my new Panasonic camera which does seem to be eating up the power..it finished of the oxyride batteries that were supplied in no time for very few photos.Alkaline have lasted longer but at the price they are it's not a good idea...besides if I'm into recycling then rechargeable seem best.

buy either the sanyo eneloop or the uniross hybrio no self dischage batterys as normal ones will just discharge in the camera and are a waste of time

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eneloop-USB-...9716013&sr=8-3 complete with charger ans 2 batterys

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uniross-Hybr...716013&sr=8-13 here is a hybrio model

these batterys charge in normal NI Mh chargers

ive got one of these chargers http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=102692

[altis]

I use a Fameart/Sanyo EN60 charger with my Eneloop cells:
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=eneloop+en60

It seems to be reliable and has lots of different plugs for travelling.

Also check out Amazon from time to time. Very occasionally they have deals on 8-packs of Eneloops for £9.99

[Osem]

I have several AA & AAA chargers - I bought an Energizer 15 min charger with 4 2300mah batteries for around £15 (IIRC) from Maplin which has proved excelent when I've needed the job done quickly and I haven't noticed any lack of charge longevity. It does the same as my Fuji and Uniross chargers but much quicker.

[Matth]

Try www.7dayshop.com

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=100598 - This one is all sizes, all capacities, NiMH and NiCD, 4 channels (independent)

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=101271 - 8 way, AA/AAA

I'm thinking of getting the BC1HU, as I'm fed up with timer chargers, since the batteries either have to be dead flat, or you guess a refresh.

As for channels, the Uniross Plugtop models, at least my 1300mAH model, have one serious problem - the channel charge indicator is on even if only one of the pair is making contact, and it is easy to end up with only 1 of a pair charged, making it most untrustworthy.

Pairs chargers are also a pain if you have anything that uses 3's.

[D_Skids]

Originally Posted by Matth

Try www.7dayshop.com

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=100598 - This one is all sizes, all capacities, NiMH and NiCD, 4 channels (independent)

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=101271 - 8 way, AA/AAA

I'm thinking of getting the BC1HU, as I'm fed up with timer chargers, since the batteries either have to be dead flat, or you guess a refresh.

As for channels, the Uniross Plugtop models, at least my 1300mAH model, have one serious problem - the channel charge indicator is on even if only one of the pair is making contact, and it is easy to end up with only 1 of a pair charged, making it most untrustworthy.

Pairs chargers are also a pain if you have anything that uses 3's.

I have the 8 way charger and can't fault it. It has a discharge function and charges each battery independently. It also flashes if any of the batteries have dead/faulty cells

Originally Posted by Matth

Try www.7dayshop.com

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=100598 - This one is all sizes, all capacities, NiMH and NiCD, 4 channels (independent)

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=101271 - 8 way, AA/AAA

I'm thinking of getting the BC1HU, as I'm fed up with timer chargers, since the batteries either have to be dead flat, or you guess a refresh.

As for channels, the Uniross Plugtop models, at least my 1300mAH model, have one serious problem - the channel charge indicator is on even if only one of the pair is making contact, and it is easy to end up with only 1 of a pair charged, making it most untrustworthy.

Pairs chargers are also a pain if you have anything that uses 3's.

That does look good I must say.

which ever charger you decide upon seriously consider the hybrio or eneloop batterys as a replacement for what you use. You will hvae to recharge them a lot less. You will not have to charge them out of the packet as they are ready to use due to the no self discharge which is what makes the camera appear to suck the life out of standard rechargable

[Xaccers]

http://www.component-shop.co.uk/html/instant.html

Excellent service, normally items arrive the next morning.