# Claims of a battery charger that can recharge Alkaline **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561 "2009-09-25T19:44:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/1 "2009-09-25T19:44:42Z")
Do they sell them? Do they work? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/2 "2009-09-25T20:00:04Z")
Yes. No, IMO, not really. There are special rechargeable alkaline batteries that are not single use disposable batteries. I think they’re mostly a waste now, since NiMH low discharge batteries pretty much do everything better and cheaper. > **[Rechargeable alkaline battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_alkaline_battery)** > > A rechargeable alkaline battery, also known as alkaline rechargeable or rechargeable alkaline manganese (RAM), is a type of alkaline battery that is capable of recharging for repeated use. The formats include AAA, AA, C, D, and snap-on 9-volt batteries. Rechargeable alkaline batteries are manufactured fully charged and have the ability to hold their charge for years, longer than nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries, which self-discharge. > Rechargeable alkaline batteries can have Th... Some people do recharge the single use alkaline batteries with varying degrees of success and personal injury. If you mess up you can get hurt pretty bad. I don’t think there’s any real reason to take this approach. > **[Rechargeable alkaline battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recharging_alkaline_batteries)** > > A rechargeable alkaline battery, also known as alkaline rechargeable or rechargeable alkaline manganese (RAM), is a type of alkaline battery that is capable of recharging for repeated use. The formats include AAA, AA, C, D, and snap-on 9-volt batteries. Rechargeable alkaline batteries are manufactured fully charged and have the ability to hold their charge for years, longer than nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries, which self-discharge. > Rechargeable alkaline batteries can have Th... ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/3 "2009-09-25T20:37:20Z")
Alkaline still have uses when you want the voltage to be 1.5V instead of 1.2V of NiMH. The chargers will often work multiple types and brands now a days. Read the product details to be sure you get a charger that does what you want. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/4 "2009-09-25T20:40:24Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Do they sell them? Do they work? A better question is “Why would you want one?” Today’s low-self-discharge NiMH batteries (like Sanyo’s Eneloops) have nearly the same capacity as Alkalines, can be recharged a thousand times, and only cost 2-3 times as much initially. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/5 "2009-09-26T16:52:25Z")
I recharged disposables for several years. One went “pffff” once and had to be tossed. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/6 "2009-09-26T17:59:19Z")
I have the Rayovac Renewal Alkaline battery recharger. Can’t get the batteries any more. It won’t work with regular alkaline batteries, the batteries are designed slightly differently so regular alkalines won’t make contact in the recharger. I bought it well over ten years ago. I thought it was a good idea then because the bateries were 1.5 volts (supposedly, but see **Telemark** ’s first link), and some things back then wanted 1.5 volts, not 1.2. I suspect rechargables are in so much use now, most things can take 1.2 volts now. Now, I’d use it for batteries that go long periods between use (except for the they’re-not-making-them-any-more problem). I tried wiring up a regular alkaline battery to see if it would recharge it, but the recharging light never turned on. Maybe I’ll try again some time. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/7 "2009-09-26T19:59:59Z")
I remember Dick Clark used to do an infomercial about a charger that will recharge all those ordinary dead batteries lost in your kitchen drawer at home. The claim was no special batteries to buy, don’t know if it worked but there must’ve been a claim of some sort to it. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/8 "2009-09-26T20:43:56Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I remember Dick Clark used to do an infomercial about a charger that will recharge all those ordinary dead batteries lost in your kitchen drawer at home. > > The claim was no special batteries to buy, don’t know if it worked but there must’ve been a claim of some sort to it. I had one. IIRC it was called the “Buddy L.” I wonder what I ever did with it. It didn’t work well…you’d put the batts in and get a little more life out of them. For high drain items like electronic flash, forget it. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/9 "2009-09-26T21:33:06Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > I have the Rayovac Renewal Alkaline battery recharger. Can’t get the batteries any more. It won’t work with regular alkaline batteries, the batteries are designed slightly differently so regular alkalines won’t make contact in the recharger. > > I bought it well over ten years ago. I thought it was a good idea then because the bateries were 1.5 volts (supposedly, but see **Telemark** ’s first link), and some things back then wanted 1.5 volts, not 1.2. I suspect rechargables are in so much use now, most things can take 1.2 volts now. > > Now, I’d use it for batteries that go long periods between use (except for the they’re-not-making-them-any-more problem). > > I tried wiring up a regular alkaline battery to see if it would recharge it, but the recharging light never turned on. Maybe I’ll try again some time. The renewal system was the first one that was made for a brand of batteries and that was readily available. They did only allow charging of the Renewal brand of alkaline batteries. The Renewal charger I have allows for charging NiMH also. With the expansion of other major brands into chargeable Alkaline and NiMH you can purchase other brands of chargers and batteries that can be used with each other. The batteries will say they can be charged in any brand charger. They all have the slightly smaller diameter positive tip that indicates it was made to be used with the chargers. I still use my Renewal charger for these batteries, and we have a Duracell charger that works on the same batteries too. I can charge and use the same alkaline batteries for years for stuff like my keyboards and mouse. The important thing is you can’t take them to the dead point. You have to charge them before they discharge all the way or there total life is severely cut. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/10 "2009-09-26T21:38:04Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I remember Dick Clark used to do an infomercial about a charger that will recharge all those ordinary dead batteries lost in your kitchen drawer at home. > > The claim was no special batteries to buy, don’t know if it worked but there must’ve been a claim of some sort to it. That was the first one available but was a order and ship product. I don’t think it was likely a good one by today’s standards. The modern chargers use a chip that pulses the charging and adjusts the current. This is important in not over charging the battery and ruining it. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/11 "2009-09-26T21:49:28Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > A better question is “Why would you want one?” > Today’s low-self-discharge NiMH batteries (like Sanyo’s Eneloops) have nearly the same capacity as Alkalines, can be recharged a thousand times, and only cost 2-3 times as much initially. Is the 1.2V vs. 1.5V difference that **Harmonious Discord** mentioned an issue in some devices? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/12 "2009-09-26T22:04:42Z")
> [@Fantome](#): > > Is the 1.2V vs. 1.5V difference that **Harmonious Discord** mentioned an issue in some devices? It is. Think of when it uses 6 batteries. Alkaline is 9 volts and NiMH is 7.2 volts. When devices are designed for the lower voltage it’s not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/13 "2009-09-26T22:22:55Z")
Would it be an issue in devices that use four batteries? ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/14 "2009-09-26T22:42:09Z")
So hold on, hold on. Enough of this “alkalines designed to be recharged” crap. How do you recharge an ordinary alkaline? How does it work? How effective is it? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/15 "2009-09-26T22:44:25Z")
> [@Fantome](#): > > Is the 1.2V vs. 1.5V difference that **Harmonious Discord** mentioned an issue in some devices? It appears to be. I have several digital cams that work fine with fresh alkaline batts, but turn off when the voltage drops to below 1.3. So I never use rechargeables, as they are too expensive, have too little shelf life, too few cycles, and won’t power the camera for more than a dozen shots. Worthless. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/16 "2009-09-26T23:00:24Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > It appears to be. I have several digital cams that work fine with fresh alkaline batts, but turn off when the voltage drops to below 1.3. So I never use rechargeables, as they are too expensive, have too little shelf life, too few cycles, and won’t power the camera for more than a dozen shots. Worthless. Your cameras must either be cheap or ancient. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/17 "2009-09-26T23:13:21Z")
> [@Alex\_Dubinsky](#): > > So hold on, hold on. Enough of this “alkalines designed to be recharged” crap. > > How do you recharge an ordinary alkaline? How does it work? How effective is it? The ones not designed for recharging don’t fit in the charger and charge. It’s that simple. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/18 "2009-09-26T23:38:56Z")
I’m referring to Markxxx’s post about Dick Clark recharging “ordinary dead batteries.” A post which, oddly enough, you replied to. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/19 "2009-09-27T00:10:49Z")
i have devices that don’t last long with a NiMH with a fresh charge but do fine with a disposable alkaline. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561/20 "2009-09-27T00:31:31Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Your cameras must either be cheap or ancient. Sure are. Way back, y’bet. Vintage ca. 2005, 2007 & 2008. Stone age, eh? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-a-battery-charger-that-can-recharge-alkaline/511561.md?page=2)