scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

I believe it was last week someone asked about battery chargers that will charge throw away's as well as rechargeable. I found a charger on Sharper Image that says it will charge them. It's listed as universal battery charger. I believe the number is 204903-01. I have ordered it but have to waite a week or more for delivery or I would let you know how well it works. Good luck.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I don't believe alkaline batteries can be safely recharged. Google it. For example: https://daisyjugband.com/how-to-recharge-a-non-rechargeable-battery/

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I wouldn't.
YEARS ago they used to <try>to recharge carbon-zinc cells.
Didn't work either. Chemically they were depleted.
I figure IF they were rechargeable, the manufacturer would sell chargers. They don't.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Not gonna work well - different chemistry from rechargeables.

Bill_de Loc: US

Sharper Image thinks you can charge them all?

https://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Universal+Battery+Charger/204903

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scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

That's the one I was talking about. We'll see if it works. I ordered it a couple of days ago.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I you choose to try to recharge non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, i’d do it in an area where it won’t matter if it catches fire or outgasses.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

Bill_de Loc: US

I figured that since you provided the part #.

There have been chargers in the past that made the same claim and lived up to them ... sort of. They never fully charged the battery and the shelf life was drastically reduced. Or so I remember reading.

Since being introduced to the Eneloop batteries I went all in. Months after charging them they still show a high nineties percent of charge.

If it turns out this new charger works I'll be kicking myself for throwing out all those old batteries.
I'm looking forward to hear your opinion.

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E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Years ago, there were stobes that operated on high voltage dry call batteries- 2x 225 or 1 x 510 volts were common. There were "chargers" callred battery boosters, that would de-polarize theses batteries, that is, it would dissipate a gas that formed as the cells aged, thereby somewhat extending battery life. Theses units were made by Graflex for their Stronoflash models. Thet had to be used regularly from the first usage but the could not revive a dead battery. Using it with a dead battery would cause overheating and could start a fire.

History:Booster/Analyzer

Reference Graflex Historic Quarterly Vol 14, Issue 3, pg 7 (also has the Graflex SlaveSync).
For use with the Graflex Strobomatic 500 HV and Graflex Strob 250 and by adding the adapter cord Stroboflash power packs can be tested.
This is a small box with three functions.
Boost
A charging function intended to "top up" a carbon zinc type battery. But this is a controversial concept on a primary battery.
A GE diode marked GE 6RS5GH30BAB1 (with a high forward resistance) rectifies the AC coming out of the power transformer and the half-wave signal is fed to to the battery. The diode is a spring loaded stack of disks, probably Selenium (Wiki). GEJ-1238A Instructions Selenium Rectifier Stacks - shows the 6RS series, and mentions the low current cells, but no specs.+ 233 VDC on the shrouded (female) contact in boost mode (do not see how that's going to charge a 500 V battery?, maybe the rectifier is no good?).
Battery
Measures battery voltage and can be used to get an idea of how the caps are working.
Load
A way to check the health of a battery by measuring battery voltage with a 3k4 load (500V / 3k4 Ohms) about 150 mA load.
Fig 1
Graflex
Booster/Analyzer
I had one of these back in the day.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I'm with DWU2. Alkaline batteries were never meant to be recharged. The chemistry in them is self-depleting. The reaction can't be reversed. There have been attempts to do so over the years but they've never been successful. More of a way for somebody to get you to spend money for something that doesn't work. Look for an alkaline battery charger the next time you're in Walmart, Target, Batteries Plus. You won't find them in any reputable retail store.

Nikonnorm Loc: East Gwillimbury Ont.

It does work ,but not real well.
Instead of buying an expensive rechargable for a two dollar moonlight
I replaced it with a nonrechargable.
Been working for 2 years now.
Norm.

DaveC Loc: Illinois

My experience with Sharper Image products has been less than stellar. I suspect the same with this.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

The word "universal" likely meant multiple sizes of rechargeable cells. Do not try to recharge alkaline cells. That will not end well.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

As I indicated the last time this subject came up, Fuji manufactures a smart charger that DOES SATISFACTORILY recharge AA and AAA alkaline cells (as well as the rechargeables). I gave the product number and sources!!! I bought one and have been using it for over a year with no problem!!! The recharged batteries are not as good as rechargeables, though, in consequence of which I will not purchase more when the supply of those I brought with me is exhausted. To those who say "it can't be done", you are misinformed!!!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City