I now have quite a number of devices that require AA batteries to use (stupid wireless videogame controllers), and I want to start using rechargeable batteries. I have a little one that came with my camera, and will charge 2 batteries, but I’ve found that the batteries don’t hold a charge for long at all, so it’s really only any good if I leave 2 in there all the time and pop them out when necessary. I end up using disposable batteries all the time because I don’t have any rechargeables sitting around with a charge.
To that end, I’d like at least a 4-charger, and possibly an 8. I have a bunch of NiMH batteries. Are they still the best rechargeables? If not, I’m willing to get something else. Is it ok to leave the batteries in there all the time, or will that make them wear out quickly?
Anyone have recommendations? I can’t find much that’s useful online in the way of explanations or recommendations. Maybe they’re all the same and I should just buy a cheap one.
NiMH are still the way to go. I’ve found that Eveready 2500mAH AA’s are about the best. I use a Ray-O-Vac charger, because it can charge one battery at a time (most don’t), and it charges each one individually. As you’ve discovered, NiMH batteries self-discharge, so they’re no good for things like flashlights, etc.
I’ve been experimenting with rechargeable Lithium batteries for my flashlights, and they seem to work really well, but they are not interchangeable with the NiMHs (I’m using CR-123A batteries).
I have a Lightning Pack 4000N (oooh, doesn’t it sound cool?) I got it from RipVan 100 It works as advertised–what sold me was that it has international voltage compatibility. You only need a plug adapter, you can use it almost anywhere. Charging smaller AAA batteries is a bit of a pain sometimes because they sometimes slip off the contact springs.
I have a Lightning Pack 4000N (oooh, doesn’t it sound cool?) I got it from RipVan 100. It works as advertised–what sold me was that it has international voltage compatibility. You only need a plug adapter, you can use it almost anywhere. Charging smaller AAA batteries is a bit of a pain sometimes because they sometimes slip off the contact springs.
Make absolutely sure that the charger you get supports the type of batteries (material, not size) you are using. My SO managed to put a set of rechargable NiMH batteries into a charger that wasn’t designed for NiMH. The batteries leaked during the first charging, and that was about $50 down the drain.
I happened to go by Radio Shack yesterday, and picked up an 8-AA charger (it also charges lots of other sizes), that does NiCd and NiMH batteries for $30, which looked pretty comparable to some of the ones I saw online. I’m charging up now.