Charging 1 battery in a dual channel charger?

[Jarl]

I only have chargers that will do 2 channels at once, and because of finances it'll stay that way for a while. In the meantime, I'm looking to charge my L0D NiMH's. Is there any way to charge a single cell on a dual channel charger? Could I put a spacer in the other slot, or would this damage it? Alternately, could I short across the 2 contacts on each side, and place 1 battery on the foil/whatever? (charging current is low enough for this)

Or is it ok to charge 2 cells with different states of charge together, even though they're not independent channels?

 

[Marduke]

I only have chargers that will do 2 channels at once, and because of finances it'll stay that way for a while. In the meantime, I'm looking to charge my L0D NiMH's. Is there any way to charge a single cell on a dual channel charger? Could I put a spacer in the other slot, or would this damage it? Alternately, could I short across the 2 contacts on each side, and place 1 battery on the foil/whatever? (charging current is low enough for this)

Or is it ok to charge 2 cells with different states of charge together, even though they're not independent channels?

Doing any of those will likely kill the cell in question. Your charger most likely puts 3v across those two bays per channel, instead of the usual 1.5v.

What is your budget? I've seen 4-channel smart chargers for as little as $8 available locally

 

[Mr Happy]

Your best option would be to use some LSD cells. The lowest price on these seems to be Kodak Pre-Charged at about $8/4 in Wal-Mart.

Charge two cells, put one in the light and keep the other spare. When the light goes dim, put in the other cell and use that up, while keeping the discharged cell to one side. After both cells are used up, charge them in a pair and repeat.

 

[jerry i h]

I have the same problem: L0D, but only the Energizer CHVC2.
1) charge both batts
2) save one, put the other in your torch
3) when the torch runs down, put the fresh one in the torch
4) that night, run down the fresh batt all at once until it is as dim as the tired batt
5) recharge both
I do the same thing with my 3 cell lights:
1) charge 6 batts
2) save 3, use 3
3) when torch dims, install the fresh batts and run down that night
4) charge 4 + 2 on successive nights.
I know the extra batts are going through more cycles than necessary, but this will have to do until I can afford a Maha.

 

[Mr Happy]

that night, run down the fresh batt all at once until it is as dim as the tired batt

This bit I don't understand. Why run it down all at once?

 

[Marduke]

For those of you who live near a Big Lots, they often sell the Rayovac PS23B "Glow" charger for $8. It's a 4-channel smart charger, and works well for a cheap smart charger.

Energizer also makes a cheap USB charger which is 2-channel, and can be found for $15 at either Lowes or Home Depot (I forgot which I saw it in), or as little as $10 on sale in other places.

 

[Mr Happy]

Marduke, where do you see the Rayovac charger in Big Lots? Is it in the electronics aisle or by the batteries? I've looked in there a few times for chargers and not seen any.

 

[jerry i h]

Why run it down all at once?

1) because I do not trust myself to always label zip-loc baggies as to whether they are alive or dead. It sounds so simple, but...
2) if you run down the fresh batts all at once to the SAME level as the tired ones, you are pretty assured that they are all at the same level. So, you do not have to worry about mismatched pairs in the same channel stabbing each other in the back. Or am I being too paranoid? If you just install the fresh pair until tired, how do you know that both tired sets are at the same level and safe to put in the same channel?

 

[Marduke]

Marduke, where do you see the Rayovac charger in Big Lots? Is it in the electronics aisle or by the batteries? I've looked in there a few times for chargers and not seen any.

I've seen them in both the electronics section, and with the flashlights.

 

[Marduke]

If you just install the fresh pair until tired, how do you know that both tired sets are at the same level and safe to put in the same channel?

Check the voltage....

 

[jerry i h]

Check the voltage....

Whew. Thanx. I finally got that pain-in-the-*ss cleared up. I actually do have an old Radio Trash VM (the kind with a needle, not a digital display) that is 3+ decades old that I know still works, because I use it to check for open circuits; I guess it is time to dust it off and get rigorous about this rechargeable batt thing. :thumbsup:

 

[Flying Turtle]

Thanks for the tip, Marduke. I've not made a pilgrimage to Big Lots in at least a week, and I'm sure they're getting worried about me.

Geoff