[Spec me...] Battery charger and batteries please

[Gimpymoo]

This is not specifically camera related but thought you guys get through a fair few batteries and I did not want to ask in the Zoo which is GD

When I was a lad (I am 33 now) rechargeable batteries if I recall correctly were rather pap.

Nowadays, if I understand correctly, Alkaline is now showing its age.

I need AA, AAA, C, D batteries.

The main reason is the silly money I am spending on alkaline batteries for kids toys which do not seem to last that long. 3 kids between the ages of 6 and 1, we have batteries everywhere.

If I can get an all in one charger, then great, if I am best to get a seoerate ones, so be it.

I would like the chargers to be able to charge different batteries at the same time, so for example, the ability to charge AA and D together. Auto cut off once charged would be nice to.

Also, do any of the chargers have the ability to tell you how charged the battery is?

Many thanks.

James.

 

[Gimpymoo]

- Get a decent AAA/AA fast charger.. some have LCD displays (1 hour jobbies).. just googling, try "7dayshop AA and AAA Battery Charger - 808LCD Super Fast AA/AAA with LCD Display" looks OK for £10 and gets a lot of good reviews on the rainforest.. (Get 2 if you need to cycle a lot of batteries quickly)

- Then buy a load of the low drain AAA/AA Ni-MH batteries (keep their charge longer when not used)

- Buy the C/D sleeves that turn an AA battery into a C/D..

I do this for our kids toys, I have a Maplins 1 hour charger with display, and a Uniross 1 hours charger with display, and a ton of various low-drain 2100maH NiMH (Panasonics/Eneloop and own brand), plus about 20 C/D sleeves..

Thanks.

Those sleeves seem a great idea, never knew such things existe - lol

Would definitely make it easier.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Thank you for the replys.

I think the more intelligent 1 hour chargers are quite good at maintaining battery condition using good charging algorithms etc..

Any specific charger?

 

[Gimpymoo]

Was going to get thse:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/7dayshop-Re...TF8&colid=17G2HYPA3H9P5&coliid=I3T1G5ZD630547

Should be suitable for most things with some D adapters

 

[Gimpymoo]

Anyone familiar with the MAHA chargers compared to the LaCrosse ones?

 

[Gimpymoo]

Well, I decided to get the La Crosse BC-1000. Although for some reason, I think I should have got a MAHA charger. oh well.

Cannot find much info on the BC-1000 though, not sure why.