Cheap Nimh charger?

[RaVeN38571]

I have an energizer 30min 4 channel charger and the batteries get so hot you have to wear oven mitts to get them out. I would like a cheap 4 channel that doesn't get hot and is still fast. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[TakeTheActive]

I have an energizer 30min 4 channel charger and the batteries get so hot you have to wear oven mitts to get them out. I would like a cheap 4 channel that doesn't get hot and is still fast...

Regarding your current cell inventory:

• How many CELLs *TOTAL* do you own?
  .
• What is the Manufacturer / Capacity / Age of your HOT cells?
  .
• Do you LABEL / TRACK them?
  .
• Do you own ANY other chargers BESIDES the Energizer 30min 4 channel?

CLICK on my Sig Line LINK and read the sections related to:

• Theory
  .
• Cell Recovery
  .
• Internal Resistance

 

[RaVeN38571]

It does it to all my cells aa and aaa. But I just bought some duraloops the other day and they were red hot when they were done. And I was kidding about wearing oven mitts, but they are too hot to touch.




P.S. Thankx for the links.

 

[generallobster]

The duracell mobile charger is what I recommend highly. It has been recently discontinued, but is still available at local drug stores and grocery stores. Drugstore.com has them for cheap too. It charges four cells independently at 500ma. All cells are cool to touch after charging. Charging time is roughly 5hrs for 2000-2400 aa. The individual LEDs located at the base of each cell turns from red to green when done charging. It can also accept DC power and can use the charged cells to power USB devices. I actually bought three for no good reason other than the fact that they were discontinued. I would recommend this charger as it cost 10-17$ on clearance depending on if you buy it with the optional DC cord and extra 2 AAA batteries included.

Don't charge anymore batteries on the energizer fryer, my 15min duracell charger killed some good batteries in it's time too.

 

[RaVeN38571]

I would like a charger that would charge in about an hour. Don't want to spend more than $30.00 which I consider cheap. Although I wouldn't mind a charger that took longer to charge if it had the option to charge in an hour. Sometimes I need a batteries right away and sometimes I don't.

 

[Light Sabre]

I have a 2 hour NMH charger here where the batteries are so hot you can hardly touch them when they're done charging. I don't trust any charger that charges batteries so fast. The 4 to 6 hours it takes the Duracell mobile charger to do it's job is just about right IMO. If you need batteries in a hurry, then use a slower charger and keep 2 sets of batteries and alternate between them. The only charger/battery combo that I'm aware of that could charge NMH's in a hurry and the batteries not getting too hot was the Rayovac IC3 system and they're not made any more. It could do 2 2000mAh AA batteries in 15 min and 4 in 20 min. I have 2 of the chargers and I think ~20 of the batteries.

In-cell charge control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayovac

 

[mfm]

I would like a charger that would charge in about an hour. Don't want to spend more than $30.00 which I consider cheap. Although I wouldn't mind a charger that took longer to charge if it had the option to charge in an hour. Sometimes I need a batteries right away and sometimes I don't.

Sanyo MQH02:
- Independent channels
- Charges 1-2 cells in one hour, 3-4 cells in two hours.
- No trickle charge
- 100-240V

$24 shipped on ebay.

 

[Marduke]

You'll be much happier in the long run if you get a decent charger and use quality cells.

With modern cells, there is no need for "fast charging".

 

[PeAK]

I have a 2 hour NMH charger here where the batteries are so hot you can hardly touch them when they're done charging...

The manufacturers of NiMh batteries recommend at least a 2 hour charger (i.e. Charges at a rate of greater than or equal to 0.50xC) so that the battery gives a sufficient signal to indicate that it is charged. Lower currents do not provide an adequate and repeatable indication.

The ironic part is that a cheap charger may need to use a premium battery like Sanyo eneloop to give good synergy as they provide higher than average termination signal. The alternative (cheap) would be to use NiCads, if you can find them (one source are the batteries from the solar night lights).

PeAK

 

[RaVeN38571]

I looked at the Sanyo MQH02 and from what I can tell it only charges in pairs, i.e. 2AA or 4AA.

 

[mfm]

I looked at the Sanyo MQH02 and from what I can tell it only charges in pairs, i.e. 2AA or 4AA.

Looked where? It has individual channels.You can charge 1-4 AA or 0-2 AA + 1-2 AAA at the same time. That includes 1 AA, 3 AA or 1 AAA.

 

[T0RN4D0]

Anyone has any experience with cheap chargers that can handle 18650s and cr123s? The ones that you can get on e-bay for 7$ =) With euro plug they would be perfect for me, as i have no 18650 or 123 chargers (nor batteries) at home, but im thinking of buying another flashlight with 18650 and i need the 123s for a small RC car mod =)

Anyways if thats complete crap, can you suggest any price/performers in the low cost section? :)

 

[RaVeN38571]

I checked on here http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/ba...r-ni-mh-battery-charger-fits-aa-aaa-batteries plus all the one on ebay say the same thing.

 

[Bones]

I checked on here http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/ba...r-ni-mh-battery-charger-fits-aa-aaa-batteries plus all the ones on ebay say the same thing.

Forum members Egsise, NiOOH and PeAK have also taken a hard look at the MQH02 RaVeN38571, and their assessment and all the available data from Sanyo that I've seen appears to concur with mfm's conclusion that it has independent charging channels:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post2891074

Sanyo side-by-side charger attributes comparison chart:

http://eneloop.com.sg ... eneloopCharger.pdf

I would tend to trust these sources in lieu of the commercial sites you've been relying on.

 

[mfm]

I checked on here http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/ba...r-ni-mh-battery-charger-fits-aa-aaa-batteries plus all the one on ebay say the same thing.

The description is wrong or there are different MQH02's...

Actually I just checked my charger and it says MQH02W on the model description on the back but the manual says MQH02 only... it changes one battery fine. The manual describes the 1-2, 1-4 configurations I gave above.

Here is an auction with proper description: http://cgi.ebay.com/Sanyo-Quick-Cha...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9b9ac7af

Edit: Seems like they all have MQH02W on the unit. Here is a CPF thread about it: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=226938

 

[Bones]

...
Actually I just checked my charger and it says MQH02W on the model description on the back but the manual says MQH02 only... it changes one battery fine. The manual describes the 1-2, 1-4 configurations I gave above.
...

Do you happen to have a link to an online version of the manual for MQH02 mfm?

This one I had bookmarked is broken.

 

[RaVeN38571]

I would like one that could do 4AAA also.

 

[mfm]

Do you happen to have a link to an online version of the manual for MQH02 mfm?

Unfortunately not, I only have the printed manual (in korean).

 

[Bones]

I would like one that could do 4AAA also.

Considering your criteria, I think you're going to have to spring for something more than a basic charging unit. I recommend the the Powerex MH-C9000 charger/analyzer:

http://www.thomasdistributing.com ... mhc9000

At it's default rate, it will charge 4 Eneloops in 2 hours, but it is one of a select few consumer chargers that can also charge all 4 in one hour.

 

[RaVeN38571]

How about the la crosse bc-9009, I have found it for $35 shipped.