Rechargeable Batteries Questions

[CarolynM]

My new camera uses 4 AA batteries for power. I have an Energizer charger that charges the 2500mAh rechargeable batteries in about 6 or 7 hours (4 NiMH batteries charging at once). When charging, the green indicator lights on this charger stay on steady and the green lights go out when the charging is completed.

My old camera used 2 AA batteries, since the new one uses 4, I picked up a Kodak battery charger that also had pre-charged batteries included when I was in Wal-Mart recently. Since I thought getting 2 sets of 4 batteries charged in 2 chargers at the same time could be handy, esp. before trips. (The pre-charged batteries are still being used in my camera.) I had other Kodak AA rechargeable batteries that I used and needed to be recharged; I have charged those same batteries in the Energizer charger in the past, no problems. Since the Kodak charger said to use only with Kodak NiMH batteries for best results, I decided to try the new charger. The directions say 16 hours to charge 2500 mAh Kodak NiMH batteries--but I couldn't read this info on the folded up paper until after I bought and opened the package at home. The batteries have been on the charger for OVER a 24 hour period, going on the 2nd day of charging. The green indicator lights are still lit and the batteries are hot to touch. How am I to know when the charging is finished if the green indicator lights never turn off?????? I had thought the green lights would be off ( or change color) when charging is finished. I see now that directions does not mention anything about what the indicator lights do when charging is completed. It only mentions the lights are on (steady) during charging. Charging cycle time depends on battery type according to a chart. Chart says 16 hours for 2500mAh NiMH batteries.

Can anyone give me some advice here? Do I just go by the time frame and hope they are done charging? Was I supposed to use only the pre-charged set of Kodak batteries in that charger and not the other Kodak batteries that are identical, except for physical color of the batteries? (Pre-charged set is mostly white and the other set is mostly greyish tan, both sets are 2500mAh NiMH rechargeable AA batteries.)

Did I get a charger that the indicator lights don't go out at all and if so, do you go by time calculations listed and then should be done? Is this "normal" or "not normal"?

Please advise.
Thank you!
CarolynM

[picman]

I've picked up some great info here : http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/ (Those people take flashlights as seriously as we do cameras) scroll down to: Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included. There is some great info in the sticky at the top and throughout the forum. More than most of us want to know.

A few things I have learned, store bought chargers tend to be crappy and hot is bad. If the voltage change that signals charging is complete is missed by the charger, then it just keeps charging and cooking the battery.

Since reading that forum I have a Maha MH-C9000 at the office and a La Crosse Technology BC-900 at home. Both of these charges will test battery capacity and let you know if you have bad ones as well as giving many different charging options.

Brian

[David_3]

Don't know anything about your particular charger, but the MAHA chargers and Powerex batteries from Thomas Distributing are foolproof. Both the 4 cell and 8 cell chargers condition the batteries, and charge quickly and correctly. They are great!

Good luck.

[CarolynM]

Thanks for the link and the info Brian & David. I've read the info about both the Maha MH-C9000 and a La Crosse Technology BC-900 battery chargers on that forum. Can you tell me if either or both of these chargers are light enough to plug into a wall outlet and hang there while the 4 batteries are charging? Or if I do buy them, do I HAVE to plug it into a power strip that is down on the floor because the charger weighs too much to plug and "hang" from the wall socket? Folks on that forum in your link seem to really like the La Crosse Technology BC-900 battery chargers. Is one lighter in weight for travelling than the other or do they weigh the same? (The La Crosse Technology BC-900 battery charger costs more, so I am wondering if I HAVE to plug it into a power strip on the floor in order to use it?)
Please advise.

Thank you!
CarolynM

[picman]

Both those chargers have a transformer (wall wort) that is connected to the charger with about 3 feet of cord.
The LaCrosse is (I'm estimating here) about 1/3 smaller than the Maha.

[guitarbug]

Powerex for sure! Today they outlasted my new D300 battery. I shot over 1000 shots today, granted some were natural light but for the most part they lasted the whole wedding! Thomas Dist, was easy to order and had fast shpping.

[CarolynM]

Howdy! I ordered both the MH-C9000 and La Crosse Technology BC-900 battery chargers since both were well recommended here. I'm glad to be getting the ability to test my batteries as well as charge them. I have some rechargeables that aren't working like they used to. Perhaps it's possible that they have met their life span capacity of being able to hold a charge? (I'll see if it is the batteries before I blame the charger; it's not the Kodak charger I asked about previously and it is charging my Kodak batteries just fine.) I used that Kodak charger just once and I won't be using it again either. Two days of charging and still no full charge sign is too long IMO.

Anyway, I have a few more rechargeable battery questions.
Depending on how often and how many photos I take each time I am out with my camera (and how many times I used the preview screen to frame a macro photo) can make a difference in how long it is before I run out of my battery power. I like having an extra set (or 2) of 4 AA batteries each ready to go when they are needed. Can anyone give me an idea of how long rechargeable batteries can stay charged, ready to be used next in my camera, while stored and waiting their turn? A week, 2 weeks, longer? Also, does this time frame make any difference by different brand names or not? Does the time frame for storage make any difference whether the batteries are fairly new ones or have been recharged and used off and on for 3 months? for 6 months? for 1 year? or longer than 1 year?

I understand that using a faster charge speed or a "quick" or a 1-2 hour type charger instead of a trickle charger is very hard on the rechargeable batteries. In answering my above questions please note that I plan on using ONLY a trickle charger or charge on the slow rate. The one charger that seems to be most reliable that I do have takes about 7 or so hours to charge and the charging indicator light does go off. That charger and the 2 I mentioned as ordered are the only chargers I plan on using.

Thank you for your assistance!
Carolyn M

[Cope]

I would condition the batteries the first charge, if they don't hold a decent charge after that, I would replace them with Powerex cells. The cost isn't that great.

[picman]

I've been using and liking Enelope batteries. They are designed to hold their charge for months and so far they have worked great for me.

Slow charges can be bad also, smart chargers may miss the charge termination and just keep going.