Do battery chargers become a load?
Dec 20, 2022 06:59:53 #
Recently I have started using rechargeable batteries more and was wondering if my routine is acceptable. I have a wall charger that holds four cells and when they are fully charged, I unplug the whole unit with the batteries still in the cradle and toss it into my bag of speed lights.
The question I have is; does the charger become a load when it's not energized? As in are the batteries powering backwards into the unenergized charging electronics and slowly draining the batteries?
It would be easy enough to check, I could slide a piece of paper in between the tip of the battery and the chargers tab and place an ammeter across that and see if there is any current.
Just a thought that came to mind as I was driving.
The question I have is; does the charger become a load when it's not energized? As in are the batteries powering backwards into the unenergized charging electronics and slowly draining the batteries?
It would be easy enough to check, I could slide a piece of paper in between the tip of the battery and the chargers tab and place an ammeter across that and see if there is any current.
Just a thought that came to mind as I was driving.
Dec 20, 2022 07:08:48 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
I really don't know but was told once to take them out of the charger for cordless tools for the reason you state. I plan on going the same route you have taken but will purchase a couple hard plastic 4 battery cases for storage.
Not related to your question but was wondering if rechargeable batteries ever leak like the disposables?
= Another reason for the hard case.
Not related to your question but was wondering if rechargeable batteries ever leak like the disposables?
= Another reason for the hard case.
Dec 20, 2022 07:20:18 #
I think it depends on which charger but Jerry did an experiment with his charger and batteries and found it does but very little not significant.
But still I don't understand how you insert the ammeter in the circuit.
But still I don't understand how you insert the ammeter in the circuit.
Dec 20, 2022 07:26:05 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I think it depends on which charger but Jerry did an experiment with his charger and batteries and found it does but very little not significant.
But still I don't understand how you insert the ammeter in the circuit.
But still I don't understand how you insert the ammeter in the circuit.
By placing a piece of paper between the tip of the battery and the tab of the charger, that would electrically open any potential circuits that exist. The paper would serve as an insulator or gap in the circuit. Then placing one lead of an ammeter on the tip of the battery and the other on the chargers tab, bridging over or around the paper, any current running back into the charger would show on the ammeter.
Dec 20, 2022 07:30:06 #
The answer is yes. When unplugged from the wall, the batteries begin to return their charges back into the charger. In some cases, you can actually connect a voltage meter (VOM) to the plug of the charger and see a small voltage on the plug. It is a two way process.
Dec 20, 2022 07:35:45 #
I always remove batteries from the charger once charged just in case there is leakage current thru the charger. Regarding whether the Eneloops leak chemicals over time, I have over a dozen of them between 10-12 years old, some in constant use, some “resting” most of the time and none have leaked. Small sample, but in the same time I’ve had a number of “Duraleaks” spill their guts. I don’t leave them in flash units or other equipment that is not being used any more.
Dec 20, 2022 07:55:54 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I think it depends on which charger but Jerry did an experiment with his charger and batteries and found it does but very little not significant.
But still I don't understand how you insert the ammeter in the circuit.
But still I don't understand how you insert the ammeter in the circuit.
Depends on the charger electronics design.
Something is connected to the battery.
If it's a good low leakage diode going to the battery, it will be very minimal, but still a minute load.
Other circuitry type(s), maybe not so much.
An ammeter on the battery will tell you exactly how much drain may be involved.
(It will also tell you the charging current.)
One would need another battery holder and connect to the wires in the charger, or just connect the ammeter to the wires in the charger. (You'd have to open the charger, and it might be a printed circuit board, which would require a bit more work, like cutting the trace and soldering wires in place. It depends on how it is built.)
Dec 21, 2022 07:35:27 #
I ran a test for a little over two weeks. Camera battery left in the charger and another one removed from the charger. The one left in the charger lost power gradually.
I found it. The spacing is messed up, but it looked okay when I posted it.
Battery Test
Wasabi EL-EN25 for Z fc
Nominal 7.6v
Date Out of Charger In Charger
8/9 8.58 8.58
8/10 8.58 8.57
8/11 8.57 8.56
8/12 8.56 8.52
8/13 8.56 8.51
8/14 8.56 8.48
8/15 8.56 8.46
8/16 8.55 8.44
8/17 8.55 8.44
8/18 8.55 8.44
8/24 8.53 8.43
8/27 8.53 8.41
I found it. The spacing is messed up, but it looked okay when I posted it.
Battery Test
Wasabi EL-EN25 for Z fc
Nominal 7.6v
Date Out of Charger In Charger
8/9 8.58 8.58
8/10 8.58 8.57
8/11 8.57 8.56
8/12 8.56 8.52
8/13 8.56 8.51
8/14 8.56 8.48
8/15 8.56 8.46
8/16 8.55 8.44
8/17 8.55 8.44
8/18 8.55 8.44
8/24 8.53 8.43
8/27 8.53 8.41
Dec 21, 2022 07:56:06 #
Not sure why, but the parser that is used for going through posts changes all multiple spaces in a line to ONE space.
Not good for trying to make tables. (I typed seven spaces between "tables" and "spaces".)
Too bad we can't use &NBSP to do it.
Not good for trying to make tables. (I typed seven spaces between "tables" and "spaces".)
Too bad we can't use &NBSP to do it.
Dec 21, 2022 07:57:01 #
Longshadow wrote:
Not sure why, but the parser that is used for going through posts changes all multiple spaces in a line to ONE space.
Not good for trying to make tables. (I typed seven spaces between "tables" and "spaces".)
Too bad we can't use &NBSP to do it.
Not good for trying to make tables. (I typed seven spaces between "tables" and "spaces".)
Too bad we can't use &NBSP to do it.
Yeah, and Tab doesn't work either.
Dec 21, 2022 07:57:26 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Yeah, and Tab doesn't work either.
Correct......
I have to use &NBSP in web pages also, same reason.
(Non Breaking SPace)
Dec 21, 2022 08:16:13 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I ran a test for a little over two weeks. Camera ... (show quote)
When I hit the "quote reply" your spacing was how you posted it (I assume).
Anyway, that information does suggest that the charger will drain batteries faster than a battery out of the charger.
Thanks for the test results, I was going to do some testing myself but, I think your data will suffice.
Dec 21, 2022 08:31:35 #
tradio wrote:
When I hit the "quote reply" your spacing was how you posted it (I assume).
Anyway, that information does suggest that the charger will drain batteries faster than a battery out of the charger.
Thanks for the test results, I was going to do some testing myself but, I think your data will suffice.
Anyway, that information does suggest that the charger will drain batteries faster than a battery out of the charger.
Thanks for the test results, I was going to do some testing myself but, I think your data will suffice.
It might vary according to the charger.
Dec 21, 2022 09:07:47 #
jerryc41 wrote:
It might vary according to the charger.
Most definitely!
Dec 21, 2022 09:44:15 #
It depends is the right answer! However, the possibility of accelerating the discharge by leaving the batteries in the charger is a high probability. I once ruined a sealed lead acid battery (for my mobility scooter) by unplugging the charger, but leaving the charger hooked up to the battery for a long time. It totally discharged the battery and that's a really bad thing for lead acid batteries and after that it would not take a new charge. Most of today's rechargable batteries are not lead acid, but the same principle should apply. In any case, any rechargable battery begins to discharge once the charge cycle is complete and will drain somewhat just sitting there by itself, but leaving them in the charger may well accelerate that process considerably. I'd certainly remove them after charging just to be sure. Good luck and good shooting to all.
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