I use batteries everywhere in my home. The remotes, the cameras, the back up batteries in the alarm clocks, handheld games, flashlights, walkie talkies, etc. I want to stop buying disposable but do not know anything about battery chargers. Can you tell me, from personal experience, the pros and cons of the one you use? Does it charge all sizes (AA, AAA, 9V, C, D?
Best answer about I want to switch to using rechargeable batteries.?
Answer by Iain N
You can buy chargers that will recharge disposable batteries. I don’t think there is a single model of charger that will handle every type of battery.
What do you think? Answer below!
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Comments for I want to switch to using rechargeable batteries.?
Nickel KDM batteries can be charged several hundred times.I’ll give you my personal experience. My kid is using 4 AA batteries (nickel KDM ofcourse) for the past 4 years of his electronic toys.I’ll highly recomend rechargable Nickel KDM batteries.But make sure if the hard ware recomends use of them.Its one time investment(little costly than disposable batteries). Never charge a disposable battery as it can explode or emit toxic gases.
Answering all your questions in depth will take up more than a whole website. I will just give you a simple summary based on my experience using rechargeables from which you can ask more detailed questions later.
CONS:
1. They generally last less than non-rechargeables. (Depending on their “power” rating)
2. They are more expensive.
3. They have the tendency to “give out” very suddenly. Non-rechargeables tend to just get weaker and weaker over a period of time.
4. The voltage of most rechargeables is less than the disposable ones (1.2V vs. 1.5V). This does not matter for most appliances, but it may for some.
5. You need to keep track of the charging times lest they get overcharged (for ni-cads).
PROS:
1. Very, very economical. (I switched to rechargeables almost two years ago and am very happy)
I have such a charger from an Aldi supermarket. It eas made in China and was very cheap. I use it for all the sizes you mention. All my batteries are NMhydride which are more reliable to charge than NiCd.The big draw back with the charger is that for size D it may take up to 20 hours.You have to make a calculation involving the charge in milliamps and the battery capacity in milliamp hours.e.g. my D cells have a capacity of 3000 milliamp hours but my charger delivers 150 milliamps so that it has to stay charging for 20 hours.My charger seems to have a generic design and can charge 4 cells and one 9V battery at once.
I have been using rechargeable batteries for several years. There is really no good reasons not to use them for those high battery drain devices. I use them in digital cameras, portable phones and music players, and portable mice and keyboards.
They keep their charge for long periods, then they just die. You can recharge them hundreds of times. so just keep spares in your camera bag or whatever.
I mostly use AA and AAA. you can get chargers that will change both or one for each kind of battery. They come in different price ranges and types. I have been using the NIMH type. It seems to be the most common. These batteries come in different power capacities. The cheaper ones will be a lower “mAh” number (ie…1000mAh) and will not last as long as one with a higher mAh number. For some reason the AA batteries can be found in higher mAh capacities.
Good luck!!!
i tried one, it charged all sizes. don’t waste your money. stick with quality disposables.