Chargers: Difference between revisions

NiMH cells will last more cycles if they are charged at an appropriate rate. The ideal charging rate is 0.5C, where C is the capacity of the battery in mah. For example, a 2700 mah cell (C=2700) should be charged at about 1350 mA (there is some debate about whether lower rates or a rate up to 1.0C is better). Therefore chargers with a charge rate that can be selected by the user are preferred. For capacity testing, the discharge rate is usually 0.20 to 0.25C.

[[File:Maha-c9000.jpg|thumb|The Powerex Maha-C9000 AA/AAA battery charger and conditioner]]

* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J6DLD4?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004J6DLD4 La Crosse Technology BC-1000 AlphaPower Battery Charger] is similar to the Maha MH-C9000, but it is smaller and usually comes packaged with 4 AA and 4 AAA NiMH batteries (see caveat later). It lacks the "break-in" charge and can not discharge a battery without subsequently recharging it. It is usually about $60. It was formerly called the BC-900, then the BC-9009, but all three models are essentially the same. The [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RSOV50?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000RSOV50 BC-700 charger] is a less powerful version, usually less than $40. Some Amazon reviewers reported problems with the BC-9009 chargers melting a few years ago, summarized in this [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=252188 CPF thread], but the BC-1000 appears to have been redesigned on the inside to avoid this problem. [http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/bc1000/manual.pdf Manual]

* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GS6FIE?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003GS6FIE Sony BCG-34HLD2RN] [[File:Sony-bcg34hld.jpg|thumb|Sony Cycle Energy BCG-34HLD AA/AAA NiMH charger]]Older versions of the silver 34HLD may have been based on timer, but the newer white version is a smart charger that charges cell individually and cuts off when each cell is full (only one indicator light which goes off after the last battery is complete). AA's are charged at 360mA (a pulse charge of up to 1400mA that averages to 360mA) while AAA's are charged at 140mA. The 2RN comes with 2 1000mAh batteries, the [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00166BNI0?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00166BNI0 4KN] comes with 4 2100mAh batteries, and the 4EN comes with 4 2500mAh batteries. This is a very inexpensive ($5-$12) basic charger. (CAUTION: Avoid the very similar looking BCG-34HH (more of a squarish shape at the top) series of chargers which charge only in pairs) [http://esupport.sony.com/docs/BCG34HLD.pdf Manual], [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=295313 CPF thread], [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/1499 review].