Do the Eneloop batteries require special chargers
Jul 26, 2016 22:31:23 #
Do the eneloop batteries require special chargers, or can any battery charger be used to recharge them? Or does it depend on the maker?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
Jul 26, 2016 23:07:16 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
No. My cheap dumb Energizer wall charger is satisfactory in charging them. I would get a better one than mine though. I suggest you get a smart charger. A Lacrosse is a good one. Perhaps my next new one.
Jul 26, 2016 23:12:08 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
A smart charger will charge and monitor each battery (not just Eneloop) singly or maybe in pairs (depending on the charger) thereby indicating when each battery is fully charged. Older or cheaper ones charge in bigger groups of 4 or more and stop when the first battery in that group is charged.
Jul 27, 2016 00:03:03 #
I started using Eneloop after they were recommended here. I started with 4 batteries and a charger. Now I have enough for 2 Battery grips and a couple of flash units. Their charger monitors the batteries individually.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-K-KJ17MCA4BA-Individual-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00JHKSMJU/ref=sr_1_sc_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1469591896&sr=8-8-spell&keywords=enloop+aaa+rechargeable+batteries
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-K-KJ17MCA4BA-Individual-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00JHKSMJU/ref=sr_1_sc_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1469591896&sr=8-8-spell&keywords=enloop+aaa+rechargeable+batteries
Jul 27, 2016 00:19:04 #
Jul 27, 2016 01:25:07 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
aardq wrote:
OK, but how do I know if I have a smart charger? Will it be marked in some way?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
Google//Lacrosse AA battery charger. /That is a good example of a smart charger. There are many brands of smart chargers. I have never seen one marked "smart". That's just a slang description.
Jul 27, 2016 04:59:58 #
aardq wrote:
Do the eneloop batteries require special chargers, or can any battery charger be used to recharge them? Or does it depend on the maker?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
They don't require special chargers because they are Eneloops. But smart chargers on the whole are a better way to charge and maintain than cheaper chargers. A smart charger will deal with each battery individually, instead of in pairs, and will moderate the charge from full amperage to trickle charge as needed for each battery.
Powerex Maha chargers are highly regarded.
Jul 27, 2016 05:25:09 #
I have used a non Eneloop charger for years now, and it charges the batteries perfectly.
Jul 27, 2016 06:21:08 #
aardq wrote:
Do the eneloop batteries require special chargers, or can any battery charger be used to recharge them? Or does it depend on the maker?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
I have two LaCrosse BC-700 chargers which will charge 4 batteries each. I also have a Maha 8 cell charger. I have a large amount of AA recharghable batteries and have had to use all 3 chargers at once, though not very often. I prefer the LaCrosse chargers because you can cycle the batteries, or just just charge them and select the discharge/charge current.
Pete
Jul 27, 2016 06:27:52 #
aardq wrote:
Do the eneloop batteries require special chargers, or can any battery charger be used to recharge them? Or does it depend on the maker?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
No, but a smart charger would be a smart choice. I have a LaCrosse, similar to this one. One thing I like about it is the ability to charge one or three batteries. I don't have to charge them in pairs.
https://smile.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469615199&sr=8-1&keywords=lacrosse+charger
Jul 27, 2016 09:18:45 #
I have used Eneloop AA and AAA rechargeables exclusively for several years. I have a Maha 8 port that allows me to mix and match any combination or number of batteries and a Powerex 4 cell charger. Spend the money on a decent "smart" charger that is also a "conditioning" charger. Only charge at the slow, not quick charge rate and every 10-20 recharge cycles go thru a conditioning cycle for each battery. The conditioning cycle will take much longer but your Eneloops will last much longer and perform better than any other rechargeable. Besides general use, after quite a bit of testing I and many others use the Eneloops in our Search and Rescue lights, GPS units and radios. They have never failed us and last almost as long as high end single use alkalines .
Jul 27, 2016 10:27:11 #
The Eneloop chemistry is Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) and as such, the charger must be able to support that chemistry. Just make sure that the specs on any charger you purchase detail that it will safely charge NiMH cells...that's what makes it a "smart charger" because NiMH cells require special charging techniques that the older chargers designed for Nicad cells cannot provide.
Jul 27, 2016 10:33:41 #
I recommend the La Crosse chargers. I bought a La Crosse BC-9009 5 years ago and it's been great. You can change the charging/discharging rate. LCD screen shows voltage, amps, charge and charging time for each battery. You can add a battery to charge without interrupting charge of other batteries. You can charge, discharge, test or refresh batteries. My only issue is if a battery is completely discharged the charger will not recognize it. However, pop it in a dumb charger for about 1 minute and then the La Crosse will recognize it and charge it normally.
Jul 27, 2016 10:44:55 #
one_eyed_pete wrote:
My only issue is if a battery is completely discharged the charger will not recognize it. However, pop it in a dumb charger for about 1 minute and then the La Crosse will recognize it and charge it normally.
Yes, that is strange, but an ordinary charger will get it started so the LaCrosse will recognize it.
Jul 27, 2016 12:05:10 #
aardq wrote:
Do the eneloop batteries require special chargers, or can any battery charger be used to recharge them? Or does it depend on the maker?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
I prefer using the Eneloop charger with mine because that's what they are designed for. Some of the other brands of smart chargers are fine, but they usually charge faster than the OEM chargers that come with the batteries therefore reducing the life of the batteries.
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