Looking for cheap, decent charger for AA eneloops

[Belker]

I use a Maha C9000 and a Maha C204F for my personal AA charging needs and have gradually been converting over to Eneloops as my older cells slowly die off.

I'd like to get my parents to start using AA Eneloops in their digital camera because they spend a small fortune feeding it alkalines. They attempted to use regular NiMh AA cells in the past but it didn't really work for them because they wouldn't put in the effort to learn about and to care for them properly. I think their primary issue was not fully understanding self-discharge and in trying to use cells that were not freshly charged. Hopefully, Eneloops will work better for them.

I'd like to buy them, in addition to a 4 pack of AAs, a cheap charger to use with their new Eneloops. I'd prefer an independent channel charger (to increase simplicity), and one that is not overly slow (maybe 500+mA), and that has "smart" termination. Fancier features are largely irrelevant.

Can anyone recommend a cheap charger that meets these requirements? Any other thoughts I haven't considered? The cheaper, the better.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[billcushman]

This Costco package is a pretty good value, even though the charger is not ideal (requires either two or four cells) and it includes four AAA cells.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=287231

If their camera requires four cells, it should serve them will, and you can keep the four AAA, if they don't have a use for them.

 

[radellaf]

I'll have to second recommending an Eneloop charger. If 2 cells is enough, I like how compact the Eneloop 2-cell charger is, and it does a great job with the batteries. $11 or $12 shipped with 2xAA last time I looked.

 

[7clpz]

Hi,

I found myself looking for an AA/AAA quick charger for a friend of mine. I'm looking for one that can charge 4 cells with 4-channels without overheating the cells.


I've been using the Sanyo MQH02W charger myself since 2 years back when I got it from Amazon for 16 bucks w/ batteries (a really good price for this great charger) and I've been really enjoying it, even though it can only charge 2 AAA's max. It can charge 2 Eneloop AA NiMH cells quickly (in about 1 hour) and it doesn't overheat the cells (just slightly hot to the touch when fully charged--about 98F).

I'm looking for something available domestically right now--in the range of $20-$25.


I thought about the La Crosse BC-700--not far from my budget, but it's a bit too sophisticated as a gift for simple usage. I don't really have to have the nice LCD indicators although they're helpful.

I thought about the Duracell Mobile charger, but from reading the forum discussions I thought it would also overheat cells (correct me if I misread any).

I wonder if anyone knows about the Sony BCG34HRE4KN Quick Charger (available on Amazon)--like if there is a temperature issue, or it keeps batteries cool while charging. It comes w/ rebranded Eneloops. The price on Amazon seems right for me w/ the Eneloop AA batteries:


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DL9WDG/?tag=cpf0b6-20


Any other 4-channel AA/AAA quick charger that doesn't overheat the battery cells?

Thanks.

 

[asval]

You might wanna try shnoop for the duracell mobile charger since they had it the other day for $10 with 4 precharged duracell AA's (blacktops). Wait for shnoop to come back up again and look in yesterdays deals.

http://www.shnoop.com/index-maint.php

I got it the last time for $15 and it's a very versatile smart charger. Only downside to it is it's an australian charger so you need to use an american dongle which is included.

here it is in amazon with some reviews
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XSBVK2/?tag=cpf0b6-20

 

[7clpz]

Thanks for the info--sounds a great price. I'll check on the site when it's up.

I do want to confirm the Duracell Mobile charger doesn't overheat the cells--like how much temperature the cells are when close to the end of the charging cycle.


I've recently got a Targus TG-LCD2700 charger. It has nice LCD indicators. When I charged 2 AA cells, however, it heated the cells (mainly the far right slot) to 140F (temperature at close to the positive terminal of the cell) at the end of the charging cycle. This was with ambient temperature around 69F. It's really too hot--and I am now struggling to find a way around this to convince myself to keep the charger.


And I'm still quite curious on the Sony BCG34HRE4KN 4-channel quick charger--if anyone has tried checking the charging temperature.

 

[flatline]

I've got the duracell mobile charger. If you charge 4 cells at the same time with the door closed, the top 2 cells will get pretty warm. The door pops off easily and that improves things greatly, but even so, I only use the bottom two positions.

I'd buy it again if I needed another reliable and easy to use charger.

--flatline

 

[darknessemitter]

Pretty much any basic "smart" charger will do, as long as it doesn't charge them faster than about an hour per cell. Those 15-minute super quick chargers are generally a bad idea.

Avoid "dumb" timed chargers that just charge for 8hrs or so no matter the charge level of the cells, those can very easily overcharge and damage cells.

Look for wording on the packaging along the lines of "voltage sensing" or "voltage monitoring."

 

[darknessemitter]

Oh, and Sony makes some basic smart chargers that are relatively cheap.

 

[V12V12]

I've been using a Titanium PowPower V8000 (older, but better model) for years and it charges rapidly, w/o much heat, is timer based and loves poppin out 2800 mAh's in under an 1hr or 2 for a fully depleted 4 set... Came with a wall plug AND car charge kit too lol! This thing kicks arse, I'm not sure this model is still being sold; they do sell a newer model (V4000), but it doesn't come with the charger kit(s); it's a wall unit.
_With my enloops in, it rarely takes more than 30-45min lol! Batteries are still working after years of constant use too! It also discharges and recovers them too! :thumbsup: