Rechargable batteries - How do they compare to standard ones?

NeilFawcett said:
Why isn't this talked about more then? Surely the batteries get low on charge, so just charge them up overnight...?
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You would think that but if you do that with Ni-Cad or Ni-MH they develop a memory and they see that point as dead so thier life becomes shorter.

Lith-Ion batteries don't suffer from that problem but they are stupidly expensive
 
Larkspeed said:
You would think that but if you do that with Ni-Cad or Ni-MH they develop a memory and they see that point as dead so thier life becomes shorter.

Lith-Ion batteries don't suffer from that problem but they are stupidly expensive
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So as a rule when the rechargables get low on charge, and you plan on recharging them, do what? Put them in a torch and leave it on for while?
 
Larkspeed said:
You would think that but if you do that with Ni-Cad or Ni-MH they develop a memory and they see that point as dead so thier life becomes shorter.

Lith-Ion batteries don't suffer from that problem but they are stupidly expensive
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NiCd do, but NiMh don't. Though NiMh cells do like being fully discharged then fully charged up occasionally, but isn't totally nessersary.

With a deltaV charger there is no reason why you cannot charge up to a rate of 1C.
 
fornowagain said:
I was referring to a fast charge, C/3 or more. Clever chargers can discharge cells and terminate charge at capacity to avoid damage.
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So in the case of the Uniross Easy Charger I've just purchased?

A compact fast charger with universal voltage for worldwide usability. Ideal for everyday Hi-tech electronic devices such as Cameras, mp3 and model making. Supplied with 4 x AA high capacity batteries 2700mAh that will last upto 7 times longer than premium alkaline batteries in digital cameras.

LED charge indicator Left & right

LED status indicator Green Led = Charging

Safety features include:

Reverse polarity detection

Short Circuit protection

Timer 10hrs​
 
GP recyko are apparently as good as Eneloops, my Vapex instant are good also.
My vapex 30 min charger was really poor, when it worked it was fine, charged fast, batteries didn't get too hot. But it was not reliable at all, awful build quality and didn't last.

I now have a Maha c-9000, £50 but does everything (discharge, charge, can set the rates, test capacity), google "mh-c9000" for more info.
You don't need to discharge nimh before charging them, any intelligent charger/fast charger (-dV) will just cut out when they are full.
 
NeilFawcett said:
So in the case of the Uniross Easy Charger I've just purchased?
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I would say that just runs on a timer, you need to manually calculate how long to leave the batteries on for depending on how much charge they have left in them and their capacity. (the charger outputs a Charging Current: 350mA)

The timer is usually a maximum timer safety cutoff, so you really have to do everything manually.

You also have to charge in pairs, you can't just charge 1 battery with that charger, you need 2 batteries that have roughly the same available charge and exactly the same capacity.

Fine if you are using something with 2 or 4 batteries that you use occasionally and always run down before charging.
 
JIM_BOB7813 said:
I would say that just runs on a timer, you need to manually calculate how long to leave the batteries on for depending on how much charge they have left in them and their capacity. (the charger outputs a Charging Current: 350mA)

The timer is usually a maximum timer safety cutoff, so you really have to do everything manually.

You also have to charge in pairs, you can't just charge 1 battery with that charger, you need 2 batteries that have roughly the same available charge and exactly the same capacity.

Fine if you are using something with 2 or 4 batteries that you use occasionally and always run down before charging.
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That sounds a bit rubbish then?
 
NeilFawcett said:
My charger (see post above yours) doesn't seem to imply it will cut off when they are full... Seems to imply just uses a timer?
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Sounds correct. The one I linked to however cuts off when the battery is full. Really is something you need to look for in a charger to get the maximum from your cells.
 
Drukk said:
I find the main problem with recharageables is the discharge rate when they are not being used. Got some duracell rechargeables and they are absolutely terrible. Go flat in a few days just sitting on the desk!
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GP ReCyko rechargeables are supposed to hold 90% of their charge after 6 months of standing and 85% for a year. I bought these on that selling point and after a month they don't seem to have lost anything. They claim they can take a few more charges than the competition as well, which prolongs their lifetime.

Personally I think they are a lot better for the environment than normal [non-rechargeable] batteries because of the lower amounts of waste. I haven't done an LCA on them though, so I can't qualify that for sure but from a pure waste point of view they make sense.

LCA is Life Cycle Assessment where you look at all the material and energy inputs across a product's life, from raw material input, transport, use and disposal/recycling.
 
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saitrix said:
Yup, the important part is this line.

"-dV detection (shuts down when it senses full charge is reached)"
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As that one isn't available how about a Fujicell SCH509F (£8.99 delivered):-

# It's a well known Japanese brand and quality assured;
# Microprocessor controlled, intelligent, quick charger
# Output current: 800mA, i.e. can charge a 700mAh AAA battery in about an hour
# Can charge any combination and 1 to 4 pieces of AA/AAA Ni-MH/Ni-Cd batteries at a time
# Auto power cut-off to prevent over-charging, i.e. kind to batteries.
# Over-current protection
# Detection of defective batteries
# Refresh function to discharge and recharge batteries
# LED display accurately showing the charging process​
​
 
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Just bought myself one of these for £22 delivered:

http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/Info_chg-ans-pl5-mob.html

The Ansmann Powerline 5 Mobile (Mobil) is a Microprocessor controlled Universal-charger with individual supervision of each inserted cell for 1-4 AAA; AA; C; D cells as well as 2 x 9 V block. Automatic matching of charging current and charging status indicator. Discharge function for cylindrical cells. Incl. AC- and DC-adaptor for home and mobile use.

Intelligent High-Tec charger with discharge function
Desktop charger for 1-4 AAA or AA, C or D cells in addition to 1- 2 PP3 (E-block)
-dV charging for all NiCd/NiMHcells;
Individual supervision of every cell position, excluding the PP3 (E-Block), faulty cell detection for cylindrical cells
Charge any combination of rechargeable NiCd/NiMH cells at the same time
Trickle charge once charging is complete
The cells can remain in the charger until they are needed
UK Power Supply and In-Car power lead.
Charge Status LEDs for each charge slot.
Battery Discharge Button for Cylindrical cells.
3 year warranty

Anyone know if that's any good?
 
I'm lazy, I just buy Duracell M3's in packs of 40, it's £16.49 delivered for 40, great if you have a friend who also needs 20..
 
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