Sanyo Eneloops + Charger

[NutSAK]

Eh, I use the MQN-06.  My only single AA-format light is currently using 14500s, so everything else in in pairs.  At least it has negative delta charging.

Yeah, I didn't mean to say that there's anything wrong withe MQN-06--most Eneloop chargers are pretty good, including that one.  I just think it's worth it to spend the extra $ now to avoid the regret of not having independent channels later.  MQN-06 is an excellent charger if you don't have a need (now, or in the future) for independent channels.

Eneloop chargers with 4 independent channels are nearly impossible to find here in the states.  I think most of the US market feels that a charger is a charger is a charger, so the cheaper pair-charging units seem to flood the market.  I got my 4-channel Eneloop charger from a very helpful Canuck here on the forums.

[Essexman]

Thanks Terry 

Got one more to run past you; this'll be the last

Super-Fast, Smart charger. It's the second one on the page for £10-99 

    * Charges NiCd or NiMH AA & AAA batteries.

    * 4 Individual charging channels, so you can charge just 1 battery if that’s all you need.
      You can also charge 4 totally different batteries at the same time.

    * -dV detection (shuts down when it senses full charge is reached)

    * Illuminated LCD display showing charge status.

(Image removed from quote.)

http://www.component-shop.co.uk/html/body_standard.html#MW6278

Great deal there 

I would like to add, they have great customer service too. They are making me some custom 6AA Eneloop packs as we speak. Not a size they make, but they didn't mind making to order, at a fair price too.

[space cowboy]

Is this charger any good? It will charge single cells. http://www.batteryjunction.com/8800.html

[NutSAK]

Is this charger any good? It will charge single cells. http://www.batteryjunction.com/8800.html

The specs look pretty good, especially these two items:

# Negative Delta V (-∆V) Voltage Charge Termination
# Fail Safe Timer & Thermal Protection Charge Termination

The only thing that I don't like about it is that there's no room for air to circulate around the cells.  1-4 AAs charge at 1A current each in this charger.  As close as those cells sit together, without "breathing room", I think the cells will get pretty hot.

I would also like to know a little bit more about how the conditioning mode works...

[space cowboy]

Thanks NutSak! Do eneloops lsd need conditioning? I was not aware of this. I have read they don't have memory.

[NutSAK]

Thanks NutSak! Do eneloops lsd need conditioning? I was not aware of this. I have read they don't have memory.

All NiMH do have some memory effect, but nothing like the memory effect NiCd has.  LSD might even be better, but I've not seen any data that absolutely prove that. 

From my experience, short-cycling Eneloops shows very little degradation in overall capacity.  I have some Eneloops that were manufactured in 2006 that have seen a variety of regular use, storage, and short cycling.  I do an annual refresh cycle on my LSD cells with a BC-900 charger, which I just completed last week.  After a refresh cycle, those cells are still showing at least 95% overall capacity compared to new Eneloops.  I'd say that's pretty good after 5 years of use, wouldn't you?  One thing I should mention though, is that my Ray-O-Vac Hybrids, especially in AAA size, have not faired that well.

I've often seen discussions on CPF about the advantages and disadvantages of LSD NiMH over Li-Ion cells.  Many times a point that is mentioned in the discussion is that LSD NiMH require so much more care and maintenance than Li-Ion.  At least in the case of Eneloops, I would say that maintenance factor argument is nearly moot.  I don't consider a refresh cycle once per year as a maintenance issue.  However, you do have to have a charger capable of refresh (or the ability to use some other method) to perform the maintenance.