Energizer Family Charger

[Catapult]

I have the Energizer Family Charger that charges NiCad and NiMH of sizes AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V. I believe it is a timed charger. It charges for 5 hours (for NiMH) at an unknown current and switches to trickle charge after that. The batteries I have are Energizer 1850 mAh AA.

The question is, will it fully charge higher capacity rechargables within the 5 hours?

For those of us who are observant, if you carefully look at the packaging of the charger, you will find that the pictures of the Energizer AA NiMHs are rated at 1700 mAh. So I would assume that the charger was optimized for the 1700 mAh rechargables, not the newer 1850 mAh. I would say that it will not fully charge the newer Energizers unless I leave it in trickle charge for several hours more? Did I just answer my own question?

If that's the case, should I dig deep into my wallet and grab a smart charger instead?

 

[zmoz]

If it's a timed charger, probably not. If it was able to charge higher capacity in the same amount of time it would overcharge smaller capacity.

 

[Saaby]

Yup. Get a smart charger. Well worth it. If you do mostly AAs and AAAs I'd go with the latest Maha, if not, then the C Crane QuickCharger is popular.

 

[kitelights]

It charges at 500 mA (13mA for 9V). 5 hours for NiMH and 3 hours for NiCad. I've had one for quite awhile and very rarely use it. I also have a Maha 204 and a Nexcell Optima.

I just received my Maha-C401FS and absolutely love it. Four completely independant slots. Rapid charge (1000mA) or slow charge (300mA). I topped off several cells today - took 10 to 20 minutes each.

Maha claims that their unique FLEX NEGATIVE PULSE algorithm allows the battery to accept a more complete charge and does it much cooler. I talked with one their techs a few weeks ago and he said that the 401 at 1000mA charges cooler than the 204 does at 500mA. Still better is the slow charge rate if you're not in a hurry. I topped a few off on slow and they were barely warm.

It's $40, but also has a lifetime guarantee. At least that's what it says on the Website.

I'm convinced that most of the chargers out there that we are using at the very least are robbing us of the full capacity of our cells and at worst are robbing us of much of the life of our cells. IMO a good smart charger is a must have.

 

[Catapult]

Now I will have to save up for a better charger. Wasted my money on a bunch of garbage stuffers. Time to go price hunting...