not to change your ideas or anything, but a good combo of fast charge and final charge tapering with topping for full charge balanced finish, is somewhat voltage based, not just current limited.
meaning a LAME simple linear transformer charger
of the correct voltages, will do:
1) a Faster charge when the voltage is Low, allowing for a quick charge to a lesser percentage, so you can get SOMETHING fast, even if it doesnt last
2) will slow down as the voltage differential (between charge and battery) goes down, matching the ammount of chemicals that still need to be "charged" instead of continuing the assault on lesser items that can change up.
3) will slow way down and finsh up as the voltage on the batterys reaches fully charged. and allow for full topping, balancing, and slow continuous charging without going beyond the slow charge rate specs.
as Long as the end of charge is below the 1/10th C rate , the inital rate can be faster AND still have a DUMB charger. this can help the situation of charging all "slow" and would be better for things like hard hitting incan hotwires and stuff like that.
that can often be done with the stupidest lamest cheapest dc powering source that one can dream up
charging FAST untill reaching a specific voltage, then as the voltage reaches the power supply voltage
by default it slows down.
or
using more intelectual microprocessor things trying to accomplish the same goals by monitoring and changing, then screwing it up
its like a "Teter Toter" of voltage vrses current, via the two power sources.
as long as you take into account all the possible voltages, and simply manually check the peaks at both ends, then toss in some leeway for things not being exact.
say like a nice 2 amp charge that tapers down to 1/20th C as the voltage of the batts is Holding about 1.4v each item.
usually you can find a transformer that directally meets that, and just add in a bridge rectifyer and a cap , about $12 and it will do the best of all worlds OLD SCHOOL. if it doesnt fit perfectally adding in a bit of resistance or changing the diodes for different types, gives you the rest of the leeway you need. so you get close, and check its progress, most often you will find that this stuff handles itself fine without so much techno crud.
as batterys weaken and dont work so well the internal resistance goes Up, and therfore the voltage seen on final charge goes up, so the LAME method also covers the weak battery pack , by cooling out at the higher voltages too, and when the cells are new, the exact opposite. so the thing still keeps plugging away, new or old.
plus its reasonable power efficient, vrses burning up power in something other than charging a battery, like the heat from a regulator.
Bat - Charge
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ok someday i will make the right picture for it too
