Eneloop charger?

[Caesis]

According to most of the educated interwebz, Eneloop technology is the way to go for reliable batteries.

I have three chargers. An old Raynovac, A Sunpak, and a Panasonic. All are for NiMh or NiCd. All are also 2 years old or older. The Raynovac is like 10 years old, haha.
Can I put some duracel (ripoff) Eneloops or Sanyo Eneloops into these chargers?

Thank you for your time
- Caesis

 

[Niconical]

You can use any nimh charger to charge the eneloops, but you would be much better off with a new charger.

It doesn't have to be expensive, but a new charger will serve you much better in the long run and keep the eneloops strong and healthy.

Try this one as a starting point.

 

[Marduke]

Technically yes, but if they are simple timed chargers, I would look at getting a smart charger.

 

[Mr Happy]

I have three chargers. An old Raynovac, A Sunpak, and a Panasonic. All are for NiMh or NiCd. All are also 2 years old or older. The Raynovac is like 10 years old, haha.
Can I put some duracel (ripoff) Eneloops or Sanyo Eneloops into these chargers?

Mostly, yes. However, you can do better by looking at the specs of the chargers and being careful how you use them.

Do they say they can charge 1-4 batteries, or 2-4? If 2-4 you have to insert batteries in pairs and then you should make sure each battery in the pair is about equally discharged.

What is the output current given in the specifications? You can use that to figure out how long an empty battery should take to charge. Divide the current into the capacity and multiply by about 120%. So an 1800 mAh cell being charged at 350 mA should take about 1800 / 350 x 1.2 = 6 hours. Keep an eye on the charger and if it doesn't stop charging automatically after 6-7 hours or so, stop it manually.

Do the batteries get hot near the end of charging? Again keep an eye on them. If you feel them getting hot (like a hot cup of coffee), stop the charging manually as excess heat can damage batteries.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

I would get a Duracell Mobile Charger; you can get them for under $15 if you are patient.

 

[TakeTheActive]

...I have three chargers. An old Raynovac, A Sunpak, and a Panasonic. All are for NiMh or NiCd. All are also 2 years old or older. The Raynovac is like 10 years old, haha...

Post their specs (look on the bottom). For example:

• Sanyo MQN06U (2 Channels, Series):
  • 1.2V@300mA x 2/4(AA)
  • 1.2V@150mA x 2/4 (AAA)
  .
• Rayovac PS23-B (4 Channels, Independent):
  • [email protected] x 1/2 (AA)
  • [email protected] x 1/2 (AAA)
  .
• Maha MH-C9000

IMO, what charger you use depends on (at least) 3 things:

1. How many rechargeable batteries do you own?
2. How often do you use them?
3. How critical is their performance?

If you have 4-8 cells, use them occasionally in a digital camera and can survive (i.e. use primaries) if the rechargeables fail, any old 'inexpensive' charger will do. As you increase the 'value' of each of the questions above, the amount you spend on the charger increases proportionally from (something like) the Sanyo MQN06U (low) to the Rayovac PS23-B (medium) to the Maha MH-C9000 (high).

...Can I put some duracel (ripoff) Eneloops or Sanyo Eneloops into these chargers?

Probably, but do you want to? :thinking: :confused: ;)

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