#253711 - 11/23/12 02:44 AM
Eneloop question
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Old Hand
Registered: 03/08/03
Posts: 1019
Loc: East Tennessee near Bristol
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What is the recommended charging rate for new model white AA & AAA Eneloops? I didn't see anything on their website or the packaging. I'm using a Maha MH-C9000 charger.
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#253714 - 11/23/12 04:32 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2485
Loc: California
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You'll get a wide variety of opinions on the matter. But a middle-of-the-road suggestion would be around 700mA for AA and 400 mA for AAA Eneloops (or the closest choices that your charger offers). I don't know about the AAA's, but even a full 2A current for the AA is acceptable although it may somewhat degrade the overall longevity of the cells if they get very hot during charging.
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#253715 - 11/23/12 04:59 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Crazy Canuck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 3240
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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For the exhaustive details, you should look up the fine folks at candlepowerforums.com -- but search existing threads first because they get a little testy when the same question is asked over, and over, and over again. For purists, there's a surprisingly complex charging profile, over time, for these cells.
My (very primitive) understanding is that both too high and too low a charge rate have negative impacts on the performance and longevity of a cell. This is all based on a percentage of the individual cell's capacity. The c9000 (I have one too) won't take you astray since it's a smart charger, but I lean toward 500mA vs. the default 1000.
But I must confess that I mostly use the maha as a diagnostic or forming charger (and high-powered night light). My go-to charger for cells in constant use is the under-appreciated Duracell CEF23 with the 12VDC plug. IMO it's a pretty sweet companion (I have three actually) with my solar setup.
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#253728 - 11/23/12 03:24 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Old Hand
Registered: 06/24/12
Posts: 822
Loc: SoCal Mtns
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Chaos,my experience is they will last longer with a smart charger,and very helpful to see how much capacity is left in a cell over time,amongst other things. Im very pleased with the .... --------------- La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger by La Crosse Technology 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (537 customer reviews) | Like (120) List Price: $49.95 Price: $39.32 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RSOV50/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01 ------------------ I heartily recommend this item as eneloops are costly I feel it pays for itself. That said,I charge at the 700 ma rate,I dont think Ive killed a single eneloop yet since they came out,amazing!!!! Oh,and Bud with cheapo charger,using eneloops shorter time than me,has killed some. I keep a cheapy sold with batts charger around,if cell is too discharged the charger above wont see it,30 secs on dumb charger,into smart charger and you are good to go,plus the dumb charger is a very viable backup. What I do,FWIW,seems to work OK.
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#253738 - 11/23/12 04:23 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: chaosmagnet]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2485
Loc: California
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The Eneloop charger works. More expensive smart chargers work better. Either one gets the job done.
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#253743 - 11/23/12 06:22 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: chaosmagnet]
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Old Hand
Registered: 03/08/03
Posts: 1019
Loc: East Tennessee near Bristol
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I bought a bulk pack of 16 w/o a charger.
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#253745 - 11/23/12 06:30 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: LesSnyder]
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Old Hand
Registered: 06/24/12
Posts: 822
Loc: SoCal Mtns
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#253746 - 11/23/12 06:32 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: LesSnyder]
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Old Hand
Registered: 03/08/03
Posts: 1019
Loc: East Tennessee near Bristol
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For 5v & 12v charging I've got a couple of the Goal Zero chargers.
For anyone looking for a 12v - 5v converter, I saw one at Lowe's at the customer service counter that has USB sockets for 1A & 2.1A on Tuesday.
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#253749 - 11/23/12 08:21 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 2997
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I charge at the default 1000mA on mine, that works out to .5C so its about where it should be.
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#254319 - 12/05/12 01:07 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: dougwalkabout]
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Old Hand
Registered: 06/24/12
Posts: 822
Loc: SoCal Mtns
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My go-to charger for cells in constant use is the under-appreciated Duracell CEF23 with the 12VDC plug. IMO it's a pretty sweet companion (I have three actually) with my solar setup. Bummer,no longer available
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#254322 - 12/05/12 03:47 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: spuds]
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Crazy Canuck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 3240
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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My go-to charger for cells in constant use is the under-appreciated Duracell CEF23 with the 12VDC plug. IMO it's a pretty sweet companion (I have three actually) with my solar setup. Bummer,no longer available No longer manufactured, but there is still new stock in circulation. The model number is CEF23DX4N. Looking very quickly, I saw some on eBay and on the Best Buy website. In years past, Best Buy dropped them to $20 for the holidays.
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#254323 - 12/05/12 05:21 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: chaosmagnet]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 03/13/05
Posts: 2322
Loc: Colorado
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Is there anything wrong with the charger that is sold with the batteries? I've been using it and not experiencing any difficulties. Nothing wrong with it. It is just very slow.
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#254324 - 12/05/12 05:23 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: haertig]
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Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3842
Loc: USA
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Is there anything wrong with the charger that is sold with the batteries? I've been using it and not experiencing any difficulties. Nothing wrong with it. It is just very slow. I can live with that. Thank you!
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#254327 - 12/05/12 07:16 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/03/07
Posts: 3078
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What is the recommended charging rate for new model white AA & AAA Eneloops? I would charge them between 500 and 1000mA. The Ansmann Powerline 5 LCD Battery Charger for NiMH and NiCd Batteries represents good value. It will also charge C, D and 9V PP3 cells as well from the 12V auto and mains.
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#254362 - 12/06/12 09:46 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: spuds]
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Old Hand
Registered: 06/24/12
Posts: 822
Loc: SoCal Mtns
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Chaos,my experience is they will last longer with a smart charger,and very helpful to see how much capacity is left in a cell over time,amongst other things. Im very pleased with the .... --------------- La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger by La Crosse Technology 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (537 customer reviews) | Like (120) List Price: $49.95 Price: $39.32 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RSOV50/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01------------------ I heartily recommend this item as eneloops are costly I feel it pays for itself. That said,I charge at the 700 ma rate,I dont think Ive killed a single eneloop yet since they came out,amazing!!!! Oh,and Bud with cheapo charger,using eneloops shorter time than me,has killed some. I keep a cheapy sold with batts charger around,if cell is too discharged the charger above wont see it,30 secs on dumb charger,into smart charger and you are good to go,plus the dumb charger is a very viable backup. What I do,FWIW,seems to work OK. Got a wall flashlight,power goes out it powers up,a 2007 Got 3 nicads AA,700 ma/hr batts,Mrs thinks might be bad Put in charger in refresh mode,after a cycle got 556,660 and 690 Running it again currently 669,701 and 701,might run em a third time just because I can,LOL! Geeze I love that charger.
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#254376 - 12/07/12 03:09 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Member
Registered: 03/19/10
Posts: 137
Loc: Oregon
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I have that BC-700 and leave it on the default charge of 200mA. Not good ? Why ?
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#254379 - 12/07/12 06:33 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: MarkO]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2485
Loc: California
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I have that BC-700 and leave it on the default charge of 200mA. Not good ? Why ? The worst case with using too low a charging rate is that the charger will not effectively detect when the cell is fully charged. In that case, the charger continues to charge the cell, it is overcharged, and can be permanently damaged. Unlike the old NiCd cells, NiMH cells don't tolerate overcharging well. A higher charge rate will provide a more definitive signal to the charger when it is full, as well as recharging in a much shorter time. But that's a balancing act, too, because higher charging rates means a hotter battery and heat can damage the cell.
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#254382 - 12/07/12 09:13 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: Eugene]
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Veteran
Registered: 09/01/05
Posts: 1474
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I charge at the default 1000mA on mine, that works out to .5C so its about where it should be. Same here. 400mA AAA, 1000mA AA.
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#254391 - 12/07/12 05:53 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: MarkO]
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Old Hand
Registered: 06/24/12
Posts: 822
Loc: SoCal Mtns
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I have that BC-700 and leave it on the default charge of 200mA. Not good ? Why ? I charge on 700 because otherwise takes a looong time. Like that refresh mode and that it tells you battery capacity.
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#254402 - 12/07/12 09:13 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Old Hand
Registered: 10/10/01
Posts: 966
Loc: Seattle, WA
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#254410 - 12/07/12 10:35 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: spuds]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 2997
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I have that BC-700 and leave it on the default charge of 200mA. Not good ? Why ? I charge on 700 because otherwise takes a looong time. Like that refresh mode and that it tells you battery capacity. Its possible to charge too slowly and have chargers not be able to accurately determine when the battery is fully charged and over charge much like if you charge too fast.
Edited by Eugene (12/07/12 10:35 PM)
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#254942 - 12/28/12 04:10 PM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 08/03/12
Posts: 264
Loc: Missouri
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Not to hijack a thread, I'm looking at a "Tenergy" brand recharger and wondered if anyone here has an opinion on the quality of the brand.
Thanks
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#254958 - 12/29/12 01:25 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: JPickett]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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I don't have a good answer to your question about Tenergy rechargers, but I would recommend you check out CandlePower Forums. They have a subforum devoted to batteries and charging units.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief
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#254959 - 12/29/12 02:37 AM
Re: Eneloop question
[Re: UTAlumnus]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 08/03/12
Posts: 264
Loc: Missouri
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Thanks, and Happy New year to You, Sir.
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