Problem with rechargeable batteries (Page 2): I've had the same issue, and a huge amount of research has persuaded me to ditch my old cheap charger which had a mechanical failure with...

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

I've had the same issue, and a huge amount of research has persuaded me to ditch my old cheap charger which had a mechanical failure with a bay anyway, and buy a set of Eneloops, which have an excellent reputation, and a charger from amazon which will both condition a battery, as well as charge individually. My research steered me away from the brands which also sell single use batteries, as one of the websites I read suggested they don't do the best quality rechargeables. The charger issue, well a cheap charger which will only charge in pairs cannot be good for batteries long term. I haven't yet put any of this into practice, the Eneloops only arrived today, but I did find a set of said batteries in colour pairs. This'll help me to know which I can use and which I need to charge. Hope this helps.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Go to Costco (or Amazon) and buy Eneloops at a reasonable price. I have never experienced an Eneloop battery failure. For me, the Eneloops hold their charge for months and are equal to or outperform alkaline batteries. The Eneloops get a real workout in my Canon 600EX-RT. Yes, I have tried Duracell, Rayovac, and the "Bunny" rechargeables and I will always use and recommend Eneloop rechargeables, always. I Love things that perform well, and Eneloops do perform VERY well.

A10 wrote:

I have a problem with my rechargeable batteries. When I go to charge four AA batteries after they have sat for a month, one refuses to charge. It does not matter which position in the charger or if I try to charge it by its self, it won't charge, just flashes red. My question is: is there a way to fool the charger into charging the battery or can I fully discharge the battery and then charge it? In the last 3 months I have "lost" 7 batteries.

Bill_de Loc: US

Since it is the same battery no matter what position in the charger, it sounds more like a bad battery rather than the charger.

As for the Eneloop, I consider that good advice. I have been using them for a while in my battery grips and flashes. I use the chargers they sell with the batteries and have never had a failure. One big advantage, unlike older rechargeable batteries, the charge in these has a very good shelf life.

--

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A10 wrote:

I have a problem with my rechargeable batteries. When I go to charge four AA batteries after they have sat for a month, one refuses to charge. It does not matter which position in the charger or if I try to charge it by its self, it won't charge, just flashes red. My question is: is there a way to fool the charger into charging the battery or can I fully discharge the battery and then charge it? In the last 3 months I have "lost" 7 batteries.

Buy this quick and never look back.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1047699-REG/panasonic_k_kj17khca4a_eneloop_xx_4_place.html

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

A10 wrote:

I have a problem with my rechargeable batteries. When I go to charge four AA batteries after they have sat for a month, one refuses to charge. It does not matter which position in the charger or if I try to charge it by its self, it won't charge, just flashes red. My question is: is there a way to fool the charger into charging the battery or can I fully discharge the battery and then charge it? In the last 3 months I have "lost" 7 batteries.

You do not state the AGE of the batteries: ALL batteries eventually die ( fail to recharge)!! some quicker than others.
I use mainly Duracell Rechargeable AA for my Mice and Keyboards, I use them until the Mouse/Keyboard will not work, then replace with fresh recharged batteries and recharge the one just removed. The set I am using now is approx, 3 yrs old and they are starting to DIE, one by one.
Just like a car battery, only cheaper!!!!

{ Note to self: BUY NEW BATTERIES Dummy}

Dik

I have had a AA refuse to charge in my MAHA charger a few times. The MAHA charges each battery individually. I put the dead battery along with a good one into a cheap generic charger and charge for a while, then move the formerly dead one to the MAHA and it will take a charge.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

I used AA rechargeable for years before I upgrade to a Canon T6 that uses a different battery. The key to AA rechargeable to to use and charge them in pairs. When you buy them, mark each pair with a different color paint or nail polish color. Then only use that pair together. The charges hold four batteries, use the two right hand slots for one pair and the left hand side for the other pair. alway fully recharge the batteries.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

LarryFitz wrote:

I used AA rechargeable for years before I upgrade to a Canon T6 that uses a different battery. The key to AA rechargeable to to use and charge them in pairs. When you buy them, mark each pair with a different color paint or nail polish color. Then only use that pair together. The charges hold four batteries, use the two right hand slots for one pair and the left hand side for the other pair. alway fully recharge the batteries.

They still die eventually!!!!

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

Manglesphoto wrote:

They still die eventually!!!!

Everything dies...

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

ToBoldlyGo wrote:

Everything dies...

Amen

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

A10 wrote:

I have a problem with my rechargeable batteries. When I go to charge four AA batteries after they have sat for a month, one refuses to charge. It does not matter which position in the charger or if I try to charge it by its self, it won't charge, just flashes red. My question is: is there a way to fool the charger into charging the battery or can I fully discharge the battery and then charge it? In the last 3 months I have "lost" 7 batteries.

Since the other batteries charge ok, the one that does not charge is faulty, since you tried it in all positions.....I think also something is wrong with the charger since you have lost so many. I would call tech support for the charger......it could be overcharging. It should charge the drop to float charge.. It may not be doing that.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

A10 wrote:

I have a problem with my rechargeable batteries. When I go to charge four AA batteries after they have sat for a month, one refuses to charge. It does not matter which position in the charger or if I try to charge it by its self, it won't charge, just flashes red. My question is: is there a way to fool the charger into charging the battery or can I fully discharge the battery and then charge it? In the last 3 months I have "lost" 7 batteries.

Buy a smart charger. It will discharge all cells to the same level, then recharge to a safe level. The “pack” will be balanced and perform better.

Follow the recommendations for your battery chemistry as to proper charge-discharge-storage states of charge. They’re all different.

And recycle any rechargeables over five years old... in SETS.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

A10 wrote:

I have a problem with my rechargeable batteries. When I go to charge four AA batteries after they have sat for a month, one refuses to charge. It does not matter which position in the charger or if I try to charge it by its self, it won't charge, just flashes red. My question is: is there a way to fool the charger into charging the battery or can I fully discharge the battery and then charge it? In the last 3 months I have "lost" 7 batteries.

I would guess the battery is bad. Toss it.

jim in TC Loc: Traverse City, Michigan

I have used lithium ion batteries for years, in cameras, bike lights and more, never looked back once I made the switch from ni-cad. I have used a variety of brands with variable, but never *really* bad experience (the everloops look interesting, and I have not used them, but back in the day Panasonic was the very best in more conventional batteries). I have not swapped batteries out in sets as one deteriorates, as some advised but that does seem prudent. I tend to agree with the apparent consensus that you are describing a bad battery (they do go bad on you, though it should take quite a long time, and many re-charges) and maybe/likely an inadequate charger.

DMGill Loc: Colorado

Ditto what jcboy3 said. I strongly recommend either Eneloop or Powerex Imedion low self discharge batteries and a Maha battery charger. Charging at about 1/3 of the batteries capacity per hour is preferred for long battery life. A charger that excessively heats the battery is not good for long battery life even though it may be fast. Thomas Distributing is a good source and is a company that specializes in batteries and accessories so they can also give good advice.

As jcboy3, I use mine professionally to power 3 to 4 speed lights for location shoots where they are sometimes competing with the sun. Mine last for many years.