AA Battery Charging
- Thread starter mikebees
- Start date
Evadne
Active member
The short answer is yes.
The long answer is, check that the charging current is the same, this type of chemistry is constant curent charging. If memory serves it is about 40mA for AA cells but I wouldn't swear to it. Some cells will have the charging current printed on them and the charger certainly should.
The long answer is, check that the charging current is the same, this type of chemistry is constant curent charging. If memory serves it is about 40mA for AA cells but I wouldn't swear to it. Some cells will have the charging current printed on them and the charger certainly should.
think the answer is more.. depends on the charger. Nicads are alot tougher than hydrides which are more susceptible to damage during charging, or rather overcharging. If its an auto charger for example, it possibly wont detect the full capacity peak in a hydride.
Incidentally hydrides, while holding a greater capacity for size than a nicad, lose aout 10-15pct of the charge within a few days, and are less capable at higher drain rates.
If you use alot of rechargeables, it might be worth getting one of the specialist fast chargers that can drain and fully charge in 20 mins or so. Model shops that have planes and boats will stock them as both hobbies are keen users, and your batteries will be in peak condition, rather than that, umm.. wonder if its charged feeling!
Incidentally hydrides, while holding a greater capacity for size than a nicad, lose aout 10-15pct of the charge within a few days, and are less capable at higher drain rates.
If you use alot of rechargeables, it might be worth getting one of the specialist fast chargers that can drain and fully charge in 20 mins or so. Model shops that have planes and boats will stock them as both hobbies are keen users, and your batteries will be in peak condition, rather than that, umm.. wonder if its charged feeling!
G
Guest
Guest
Yes ...
don't exceed 1/10th charge rate based on capacity ..... ie. I have 2000 m/ah cap AA's ........ they are charged at 125 m/a in a standard charger .... no prob. Not advcisable to go over 200 m/amp on these size ....
Time to charge on 1/10th rate = 14 hrs.
I used to be a model airplane enthusiast -- still am and that's what we did ...
don't exceed 1/10th charge rate based on capacity ..... ie. I have 2000 m/ah cap AA's ........ they are charged at 125 m/a in a standard charger .... no prob. Not advcisable to go over 200 m/amp on these size ....
Time to charge on 1/10th rate = 14 hrs.
I used to be a model airplane enthusiast -- still am and that's what we did ...
Re: Yes ...
I have a cheap "BST" quick charger, 12v / 240 v in and 800 milli amps out - it claims to charge both Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh
At 800 m amps am I going to damage my 2300 milli amp Ni Mh batteries ??
It charges in about 3hrs.
thanks for any replies
I have a cheap "BST" quick charger, 12v / 240 v in and 800 milli amps out - it claims to charge both Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh
At 800 m amps am I going to damage my 2300 milli amp Ni Mh batteries ??
It charges in about 3hrs.
thanks for any replies
G
Guest
Guest
Re: Yes ...
Oops ... but fast !! Just don't leave them longer than the recc'd time - it is not the best to fast charge any NiCd / NiMH / LiIon ..... except when you need fast input .... best is slow at 1/10th capacity. But are you sure that the output is per single cell or total across the lot ? Probably across the lot and if you are charging 4 at a time - then this is more reasonable ....
With Model planes etc. - the investment flying around trusting a 4 pack of AA's in the radio was enough to teach many the 'rules' of charging NiCD's ..... there were the nclever ones who used to boost charge their flight packs from the Starter panel Glow output .... yep it worked - but if not done carefully you ended up with odd dud cells etc.
Oops ... but fast !! Just don't leave them longer than the recc'd time - it is not the best to fast charge any NiCd / NiMH / LiIon ..... except when you need fast input .... best is slow at 1/10th capacity. But are you sure that the output is per single cell or total across the lot ? Probably across the lot and if you are charging 4 at a time - then this is more reasonable ....
With Model planes etc. - the investment flying around trusting a 4 pack of AA's in the radio was enough to teach many the 'rules' of charging NiCD's ..... there were the nclever ones who used to boost charge their flight packs from the Starter panel Glow output .... yep it worked - but if not done carefully you ended up with odd dud cells etc.
Thanks for that info chaps. I have an old Uniross Ni-Cd charger rated at 150mA. I have just bought some Sony 2300mAh Ni-MH so from what you all say I should be OK.
The Sonys are £4-99 a pair from Index which seems good value for money which is probably why they are usually out of stock!
Mike
The Sonys are £4-99 a pair from Index which seems good value for money which is probably why they are usually out of stock!
Mike
