Opinion on charger

[PonchoTA]

Hi battery charger gurus!
Quick question: At my Navy Exchange, there is a "special" on a 2 pack of rechargeable AA's and 2 AAA's along with an Energizer charger, CHDC-WB4. It's for $21 for the package.

I'm currently using a 2 yr old regular CHDC compact AA/AAA charger, but evidently this is not a good one in that it is timer only and doesn't do a good job of monitoring the actual charge rate or anything.

Will this other one (WB4) be any better? I don't know how to read the specs on these things yet, so I thought I'd ask those in the know.

If it's not, what would be a better, fairly inexpensive charger for my NIMH batteries? I just spent what seems like a small fortune for a Pila charger, some 18650's and RCR-123's for the flashlights, but I use the other types of batteries for a whole bunch of stuff around the house.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all!!!

Paul

 

[jerry i h]

...I'm currently using a 2 yr old regular CHDC compact AA/AAA charger, but evidently this is not a good one in that it is timer only and doesn't do a good job of monitoring the actual charge rate or anything.

Will this other one (WB4) be any better?...

Probably not. The current model you site is perfectly OK. You do not state what 'older' model of WB4 is, but I assume it is pretty much the same as the new one you quote.
I have several rechargers from the company you site, but see little, if any difference, between them. Just follow the written instructions.
True, they are not the 'best', but unless you are willing to pop for a Ulysses S. Grant or Ben Franklin for a charger sans batts, they are as good as you will get. Yes, there are totally cool, intelligent, mondo chargers that will squeeze that last bit of performance from your NiMH batts, but be prepared to pay for it.

 

[Mr Happy]

As far as I can see, I think the CHDC-WB4 model may have a different appearance but still have the same electronics inside it as other models of CHDC.

I take issue with "jerry i h" about it being a good [correction: perfectly OK] charger. It has a fixed 360 mA charge rate, which means you have to calculate when the charge should be finished and manually remove the batteries at that time ("Simply remove the batteries before the estimated charge cycle completes").

For a better charger, look either for the Duracell Power Gauge or Mobile charger. Both are brand name chargers that should be found conveniently in B&M stores at a reasonable price ($25-$30).

 

[jerry i h]

Agree 100% Mr. H with what you say. However, I did not exactly say "good"; my endorsement was rather more tepid. I would rather people spend $50 for a Maha or LaCrosse. However, when it comes to budget chargers for ten bucks at a local B&M on sale with a coupon, I find the models mentioned in the OP to be perfectly adequate. They do not maximize capacity or lifespan, but they work if you follow the instructions .

 

[Mr Happy]

I think the danger with the low tech chargers is that the average purchaser will not be able to calculate the required charge time, nor be likely to put a timer next to the charger and remove them from the oven (I mean charger) when they are done. These purchasers will then have an unsatisfactory experience with the performance and life of the batteries, and will think rechargeables are more trouble than they are worth.

It is ironic that the experts who could use the CHDC successfully are the very people who would not buy it.

 

[PonchoTA]

Thanks so far! See, this is the kind of chatter I need! No, I don't have the time, memory, nor inclination to figure out how much charge I need to do. Here's my routine so far:

I have about 10 AA's and 8 AAA's. As a pair gets used up (wireless mouse stops working, TV remote stops working, flashlight low, etc.) I toss them over to the socket where I use the charger. When I get 4 that need charging, I put them into the charger, and the light turns on. Then I go about my business until some time 'later' (indeterminate) that I realize the light went off and I remove the batteries from the charger and put them back into the plastic holding case until I need them again for the mouse, or remote, or flashlight, or whatever.

I know this isn't the best way to do this, and although it works well enough for now, I think I could use the batteries better, and get better life out of them.

That's why I'm looking for a better quality charger without spending an arm and a leg! I looked up the Duracell Mini Charger, and it's about $16 on Amazon with shipping and 2 more AA's.

You guys agree that this is a decent (not dumb) charger? I'm just looking for a better charging system than the simple timer like I have now, and I think everyone agrees that this kind is definitely NOT the best for battery life, yes?

Thanks again for the replies, I feel like I'm learning more about this stuff!

 

[Mr Happy]

I can't find exact details, but since the Duracell Mini charger says it charges in 8-10 hours I think it is no better than the Energizer charger you have. (A long charge time usually indicates a dumb charger rather than one with automatic charge control.)

You need to look for a charger that charges AA cells in under 6 hours, and preferably one that says it can charge from 1-4 cells, because that means each cell will get individual attention rather than being grouped with other ones. Instead of the Duracell Mini, consider the Energizer Duo http://www.energizer.com/usbcharger/language/english/download.aspx