Frequent recharging high capacity non-Eneloop/non-Hybrid NiMH question

[ltiu]

If I have a regular high-capacity non-Eneloop/non-Hybrid NiMH. I know it discharges itself fast. I want to make sure when I need the battery, it will be there with a charge. So I charge it once a week, regardless of whether I have used it or not.

Is this OK? What are the consequences, if any?

If I charge it once a week, even if it is unused, does that mean I subtract one life cycle from it's total life cycle? So if a NiMH is rated at 500 cycles, I can charge it for a max of 500 weeks. Regardless of whether I have used it or not?

Any input appreciated.

 

[koala]

Normally I wouldn't recommend a 15 minutes charger but it seems that it will fit your situation nicely. Is 15 minutes too long to wait?

Otherwise you can proceed according to your plans. One life cycle is equals to a "full charge followed by a full discharge". Full-Cycle them once every few months. Regarding the 500 'full cycles', well it will hold a little bit less charge than it is when new.

Do let us know what sort of charger you are using?

 

[ltiu]

... just using a regular Eneloop charger - for non-Eneloop high capacity regular NiMH.

 

[LEDninja]

... just using a regular Eneloop charger - for non-Eneloop high capacity regular NiMH.

Will the Eneloop charger charge only 1 battery? I like the small 2 bay size but most of my lights are single cell. Does not say on the package.

 

[ltiu]

That's a question I asked myself.

"Can the Eneloop 4 bay charger charge 1 at a time?"

I also have the Rayovac Hybrid charger with 4 bays and in the instructions, it indirectly says that it can charge 2 at a time. But the Eneloop charger did not have the same instructions.

 

[oldvultureface]

Will the Eneloop charger charge only 1 battery? I like the small 2 bay size but most of my lights are single cell. Does not say on the package.

The model I have, NC-MDR02NU, will charge one cell. In answer to ltiu's post, the four bay will also charge cells individually.

 

[LEDninja]

The model I have, NC-MDR02NU, will charge one cell.

Thanks.

 

[ltiu]

Mine is Model #: NC-MQN05U 4 bay charger ... must be able to charge one at a time since there is no warning on the instruction manual. Unlike the Rayovac Hybrid charger which had a warning on the manual to charge in pairs.

 

[Bones]

Will the Eneloop charger charge only 1 battery? I like the small 2 bay size but most of my lights are single cell. Does not say on the package.

These two posts by koala indicate that Sanyo chargers in general have a pretty extensive set of safety controls:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... p2011383

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... p2026943

Quick link:

http://www.energy.sanyo.com.sg ... controls

 

[TorchBoy]

If I have a regular high-capacity non-Eneloop/non-Hybrid NiMH. I know it discharges itself fast. I want to make sure when I need the battery, it will be there with a charge. So I charge it once a week, regardless of whether I have used it or not.

Is this OK? What are the consequences, if any?

If I charge it once a week, even if it is unused, does that mean I subtract one life cycle from it's total life cycle? So if a NiMH is rated at 500 cycles, I can charge it for a max of 500 weeks. Regardless of whether I have used it or not?

Any input appreciated.

I wouldn't expect them to last 500 cycles. You might like to give them a full discharge every few weeks. It should help.