What Battery Charger Are You Using For Eneloop/NIMH

[space cowboy]

User comments are most welcome. I have the Rayovac PS13 but, not quite sure how good it is as the Eneloops came precharged. So what charger works for you guys?

[Nikos]

As mentioned [here], a Sanyo MDR-02. No problems so far...

[Turnstone]

I use an IVT AT2 accu trainer.

This charger (or the newer model, mine is almost 4 years old) seems only to be available in Germany, I haven't found any information on international sites... It was highly recommended (and the new model is still) in many internet forums, has many excellent reviews, and I am very satisfied with it, too.

[Sean]

Have had this one for years and it seems to have worked well for me.

http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/hamacc/0485.html

next time around I'll be getting one of these, it's regarded quite highly
by some on CPF.

http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/hamacc/4865.html

[Benner]

I use a MAHA something. 

[Teofilo]

I use the old Sony Charger (packaged in digicams), slow charger but works great!

[NutSAK]

Sanyo MQH03 for charging at home and on the road.  Highly recommended if you can find one!

LaCrosse BC-900 for testing & reconditioning cells.  The BC-900 is a nice full-featured charger, but should be monitored for possible meltdowns.  The LaCrosse BC-700 is a safer charger, but charges at lower max rates/current.

As stated before, if you want the best full-featured AA/AAA charger available (IMO), buy a Maha MH-C9000.

[NutSAK]

User comments are most welcome. I have the Rayovac PS13 but, not quite sure how good it is as the Eneloops came precharged. So what charger works for you guys?

I took a look at the RayOVac site for instructions for this charger.  It's not clear to me which manual goes for which charger, since there are no part numbers listed.  They are described such as "easy charger" and "platinum charger".  Each of the three manuals they have listed state that the cells must be charged in pairs.  If that is the case with your charger, I would recommend that you only use your cells in devices that require an even number of cells, i.e. 2 or 4.

[thebullfrog]

The 2 AA charger that came with my Eneloops. Slow, and can only charge 1/3 of my batteries I have at a time, but it's size makes it wonderfully portable and convenient. Besides, it came with the batteries so I didn't have to buy one

[Black Rose]

I have the Rayovac PS13 but, not quite sure how good it is

PS13 is a dumb 22 hour timed charger.

I use a Maha C9000, Maha C800S, Duracell Mobile charger x 2, Sanyo NC-MDR02NU, and a Pure Energy UDC4L-A.

I have 186 NiMh cells, I need a lot of chargers (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)

[Makaveli]

maha c9000 works great for me.

[NutSAK]

I have the Rayovac PS13 but, not quite sure how good it is

PS13 is a dumb 22 hour timed charger.

That's a shame that they would package such a charger with those nice ROV Hybrid batteries.  Considering that it's a 22 hour charger, at least it's running a low enough charge current that it won't damage the batteries too quickly.

[space cowboy]

Thanks for the great info everyone! The PS13 manual that came with it says 10 hours for 2 AA cells & 13 Hours for 2 AAA cells. Sounds like it is a slow charger. The manual is confusing. I called them & they said AA is NM715-40P & AAA is NM724-40P. Why do the AA cells take less charge time? I am going to look at the suggested chargers recommended.

[thebullfrog]

Wow that's slow. My "free" charger does 2 AA in 5 hours and they don't heat up much at all, just a tad warm.

[Black Rose]

Thanks for the great info everyone! The PS13 manual that came with it says 10 hours for 2 AA cells & 13 Hours for 2 AAA cells. Sounds like it is a slow charger. The manual is confusing. I called them & they said AA is NM715-40P & AAA is NM724-40P. Why do the AA cells take less charge time? I am going to look at the suggested chargers recommended.

Sorry about the incorrect information.

The PS13 that I have is a timed 22 hour charger.
Looks like they kept the model number but changed the specs and the design of the charger as well.

[Sazabi]

I use - or rather, will use - when one of my Eneloops needs to take a nap to recharge - my Sanyo Super Quick Charger, MQH03, that I was lucky to grab from someone (Jie?) on here several months back when I finally took a plunge on getting Eneloops.

[NutSAK]

Wow that's slow. My "free" charger does 2 AA in 5 hours and they don't heat up much at all, just a tad warm.

They wouldn't heat up at that rate.  Your charger is running at about 400mA per cell.  You shouldn't experience higher temps until you charge them at 1000mA (1A) per cell or more.  That is, unless your cells are shot.

[thebullfrog]

Yeah that's the rate it's rated at. It's also a smart charger, I tossed in a fully charged cell and it only tried to charge it for a few seconds, a partially charged cell clicked off after like 2 hours, so I have no worries about it causing any harm. I frankly see no reason at all to get a different charger unless I suddenly needed to be able to charge more than 2 cells at a time, so far it hasn't been an issue. Constant use in my light and my camera, I've only had to recharge each battery twice in the last month or so since I bought them. Man I love these things. I used to eat through Alkalines a couple times a week. At this rate the Eneloops will last me forever.