AA charger & cells

G

Grouch

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
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Who offers the best dependable AA charger & 4 cells (2700mH) at a good price? I'm getting my wife a point&shoot that uses them.
 
The "best" and most dependable chargers will be made by companies like Powerex or Ansmann, and they will run you northwards of $100. These are considered to be good for the price because they have fairly sophisticated circuitry and programming which allows them to:

-- Charge multiple cells (8 or more at a time),
-- Charge batteries of different chemistry types (usually NiMH and NiCad),
-- Charge batteries of different sizes (often AAA, AA, C and D)
-- Do quick charges (for when you need the batteries charged now),
-- Do slow charges (which often puts more charge into the battery and generally increases the life span of the cell),
-- Do conditioning charges (a process which first fully depletes the cell prior to recharging - again to enhance cell longevity and performance)

I use a Powerex MH-C808M and have had absolutely zero complaints. It works well, and even though it has all the features listed above, it's dead simple to use.

Now, that all being said, I also have a much smaller and much cheaper (around $30?) Duracell "Rechargeable Accu" 30 min. charger that does a fine job with most AAA and AA NiMH batteries. The actual model number on mine is CEF90NC. If all you ever plan to do is recharge AA cells for a point and shoot digital camera, then this may very well be the way to go. The more expensive chargers would certainly increase the cell life of your batteries, but it might be a looong time before you would actually be able to realize any cost savings.

For a Powerex or Ansmann, start looking here:

http://thomasdistributing.com/

For the Duracell model, or something similar from Energizer, you probably wouldn't have to look any further than your corner CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreens.
 
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I have one of the Duracell 15 minute chargers, and I've been nothing but pleased with it. I've been using the same batteries in my EDC light for well over a year with no problems. I use the 2650 mah AA Duracells.

Yes, it really does charge them in 15 minutes. They last me through a couple of weeks of normal use.
 
P2D, I've been meaning to ask, what movie is the .gif in your sig line taken from?
 
Collateral, directed by Michael Mann. Here's a link to a thread with the whole scene, if you're interested.


EDIT- It just occurred to me that I should tell folks that the link above leads to Whine and Cheese. Viewer discretion, and all that.
 
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Grouch said:
Who offers the best dependable AA charger & 4 cells (2700mH) at a good price? I'm getting my wife a point&shoot that uses them.
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OK although on paper 2700mAh NiMH rechargeables may seem to be the "best" capacity today.

The problem with higher capacity NiMH rechargeables is their relatively high self-discharge rate - leave the digicam for a couple of months and one returns to flat batteries - not what most people want to find.

Having said that IF your wife is going to take a LOT of photos over a short period (eg: over 500 pics in less than 1 month) - then higher capacity NiMH do make sense.

These days a lot of people have switched to LSD (no not the drug - but Low Self-Discharge) batteries - the most well known is the eneloop (by Sanyo) - they claim to retain upto 85% of their capacity over a year.

On tests it has been shown that LSDs are better than any 2700mAh NiMH for anything over 1 month.

eneloops have been shown to be the "best" by tests and reputation - but most of the LSD batteries seem to be basically as good from what I have read (one exception may the UltraLast Hybrio in the grey/red coloring - whereas Hybrios in green/red have tested well).

According to Wikipedia on Low Self-Discharge NiMH battery - there are only 3 manufacturers of the LSD batteries (although I am sure there are multiple factories, and the possiblity of more manufacturers now) - so there is a lot of re-badging.

For example a more easily available eneloop clone is the made in Japan Duracell Pre-Charged (with the white top surrounding the +ve button) these can be had for under $13 from any WalMart - there are others.

Another LSD that is easily available and I have found personally as good as eneloops is the Kodak Pre-Charged which are $8.47/4 at WalMart.
(ref: see summary post #50 in eneloop vs. Kodak Pre-Charged Voltage Maintenance)

Now for the charger - if you are serious about getting the "best" then there are, by reputation, two that come recommended -

Maha (Powerex) C-9000 ~$60 + shipping

LaCrosse BC-900 ~$39 + shipping

To me $60 is a lot of money for a charger - one can get good cheaper chargers - the LaCrosse BC-900 is getting more reasonable.

Two suggestions -
but they may have some caveats -

Soshine SC-C3 Intelligent Rapid Charger (review) from DealExtreme for $13.98 including shipping -
but it is shipped from Hong Kong and it does NOT have UL listing (although they claim the CE mark) -
This has become my main charger - and it has worked very well for me.
I think it's a (very) good charger.

Kodak 1 Hour K6200-PC charger (good review & pics in this Amazon link) including 4x Kodak Pre-Charged LSD batteries
- be very careful not to get the "Value" charger (eg: at WalMart) - which is a slow timed charger.
I have found this combo with the 1 hour charger for as low as $19.05 shipped.
The Kodak Pre-Charged LSD batteries are very good - I used to think they might be a slight step down from eneloops, but recently I am back to the opinion that the Kodak P-C will match eneloops in most applications (see eneloop vs. Kodak Pre-Charged Voltage Maintenance - where I used my dSLR for some tests, long thread - summary in Post #50)

Both these chargers have independent channels - the SoShine is more informative.

--
Vincent
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UnknownVT said:
The problem with higher capacity NiMH rechargeables is their relatively high self-discharge rate - leave the digicam for a couple of months and one returns to flat batteries - not what most people want to find.
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All of my high capacity (2500mah) AAs self-discharge at an incredible rate. Much worse than the old lower capacity batteries I used in the past.

Circuit City has Eneloops on clearance. The 8xAAs were rediculously cheap ($5.75), so I bought all they had. They do have the advantage of being brand new, but so far, whatever I use them in isn't dead every time I pick it up.
 
TemplarKnight21c said:
I've had good luck with Energizer.
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I don't mean to be disagreeable -
FWIW - Energizer 2500mAh NiMH rechargeables have a very bad reputation of high rate of self-discharge -
I have read reports of some that would not hold charge for more than a few days.

EDIT to Add -

Ref: More dying Energizer 2500's...
long thread with 6 pages and 156 posts.

--
Vincent
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http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
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For use and top up I use the cheap grandcell rechargable alkalines. Do this and they last 7 years ok. Give them to kids who discharge them repeatedly in one go and they are very soon toast.

I bought some GP 2500mh when short of $ and bought spare Grandcell 2500s. I recently needed more batteries and picked up the Energiser charger with 2500 at the same price as the batteries. I use them in power cuts which are frequent and dull. I have swapped the chargers and batteries around and put three mini mags in candle mode each in a different room with a different set of batteries. After 2 hours I compare. After the power cut, before recharging I turn them on and compare.

There is not much difference, but the Energiser is always better. I should also find something better to do in the time of our power cuts.



I really am concerned that none of the wall chargers available on our shelves seem to discharge the battery before recharging.
 
Jennifer_B said:
All of my high capacity (2500mah) AAs self-discharge at an incredible rate. Much worse than the old lower capacity batteries I used in the past.
Click to expand...

UnknownVT said:
I don't mean to be disagreeable -
FWIW - Energizer 2500mAh NiMH rechargeables have a very bad reputation of high rate of self-discharge -
I have read reports of some that would not hold charge for more than a few days.

--
Vincent
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I think these are some very good points. I have a 10W HID Mag mod that uses eight AA rechargeables. To this point, I've been using the Energizer 2500s. They work fine if you use the light shortly after charging. But they don't hold their juice long enough to power the light even a week after coming off the charger. I just received some new Eneloop LSDs today and can hardly wait for the conditioning charge to complete so I can try them out.
 
Not good, not goodly. I really need to get a battery tester. Any recomendations? Just that my kids flatten batteries before they go flat, but I need to confirm performance for times of emergency. (I do have energiser disposables)
 
Tim-Gabz said:
I really need to get a battery tester. Any recomendations?
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Not recomendations, recommendations. ;) :D

The flashlight fanatics seem to be fairly fond of the ZTS line of battery testers. This one seems to be the most versatile:

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...html?SP_id=&osCsid=fedbiuupfl8tnfufokg3457ot0

And here's its little brother which doesn't test as many types of batteries, but is smaller and costs less than half:

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...html?SP_id=&osCsid=fedbiuupfl8tnfufokg3457ot0

I've seen owners of these units recommend that, for best results, you test the battery several times in quick succession until you begin to get a consistent reading.
 
Thanks for the Recommendation. I was to use my bonus to get a full set of rechargables for my mum in Zimbabwe. Currently oo water for 8 days and no power for 4. So she needs 2 chargers and 16 batteries. But if they don't hold their charge then it isn't cool. Her Grandcell alkali rechargables have done 7 years on solar charger, but really ok only for leds.

I will look for a solar charger
 
Tim-Gabz said:
Thanks for the Recommendation. I was to use my bonus to get a full set of rechargables for my mum in Zimbabwe. Currently oo water for 8 days and no power for 4. So she needs 2 chargers and 16 batteries. But if they don't hold their charge then it isn't cool. Her Grandcell alkali rechargables have done 7 years on solar charger, but really ok only for leds.

I will look for a solar charger
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What a sad state of affairs your mom is being forced to endure. Perhaps we could will a small asteroid to land on Mugabe's head.

Does your mom live in an urban or rural setting. Any chance of digging a well? Solar charger is definitely a good call. No shortage of sunlight in Zimbabwe from what I hear. :)
 
I use Rayovac rechargeables in all my AA LED flashlights, they last for months and work fine for me.
 
I've been using Energizer rechargeables in my flashlights, AA and AAA, they last months in that application. IIRC they are 2200 or 2500 rated. They also get used in clocks, radios, handheld games, the Wii controllers, etc.

I have not been pleased with the 'Mart "Digital" brand, the charger won't recharge batteries half used, and the batteries don't hold a charge. The don't seem to be available anymore, good riddance.

As for the more expensive 15 minute rechargers, I don't see the need if you have a set ready to go. I charge mine and store them until the next use. I haven't had any problem in self discharging with the newer lithium ion types. Going to the 6 - 8 hour chargers saves money, just the same as on a rechargeable electric razor. The extra $15 dollars for 15 minute charging isn't always needed, if at all.
 
I use a couple of AA chargers that came with equipment, slow but they work. I've replaced all my AAs with Eneloops and I think they're terrific.
I pick up my Olympus camera and for once it's not dead.

Win
 
A safe bet is the maha C9000 and some sanyo eneloops. There was a small problem with the first batch of C9000's but that got worked out pretty quick, any that you order now should be from the new firmware revision. If the C9000 is too expensive for you then look for an independent channel charger(each battery is monitored instead of pairs) that isn't too fast. Stay away from the 15 minute and even 1 hour chargers, try for 2-3 hour charge times and this should help extend battery life considerably.
 
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