# Rechargeable Batteries **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 22, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries/341109 "2006-01-22T15:07:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries/341109/1 "2006-01-22T15:07:16Z")
Last Wednesday, I plugged in my rechargeable battery charger and two rechargeable AA batteries into an outlet at work. I haven’t been to work since then (circumstances beyond my control, blah blah blah). When I get back to work Monday morning, am I going to find the charger, the batteries, and/or my office ruined? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries/341109/2 "2006-01-22T15:10:00Z")
The charger should shut itself off when the batteries are fully charged. At least, that’s been my experience with such devices. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries/341109/3 "2006-01-22T16:36:53Z")
It probably won’t catch fire or explode 🙂 Depending on the type of batteries and charger, you may have done some damage to the batteries. Ni-MH cells are less happy with being over-charged than Ni Cd cells, but all but the most basic chargers will offer some form of protection. Some chargers will have a simple timer and then either switch to trickle-charge or off altogether. More sophisticated chargers constantly monitor the state of each cell and adjust accordingly.