Need advice on rechargeable batteries please!

In_for_a_Bargain

Well chargers for rechargeable batteries to be honest. I have 2 lots of rechargeable batteries for my digital camera, one lot are 2300 mah and the others are 2650 mah. I need a new charger and the ones I have looked at in the Argos book say 2450 mah (Highest). Does it mean that they wont charge my 2650 ones properly and also if it says 2450 will that be too much for my 2300 ones. A lot of chargers come with batteries but I don't actually need the batteries just the charger, but it is a bit confusing and would like some help before I buy a new one.

KillerWatt

First thing you need to concern yourself with is the battery construction.
Put NiMH batteries in a charger that was designed for NiCd cells, and the resultant bang will be quite impressive to say the least.

In_for_a_Bargain

Thanks for that but I am aware of that. My last charger had a switch to choose the right setting for the right battery!

espresso

You need an intelligent charger with deltaV detection, to ensure that the batteries are charged to their full capacity and then the charge current is automatically cut off. An example is this one here, which is very good value and charges both NiMh and Nicad cells.

KillerWatt

Ignore all the "intelligent" charger crap, that is just sales spiel for people who don't know how battery charging works.
Simple fact is that if your charger says it can do NiCd/NiMH/Li-Ion, then that is exactly what it can do and it will charge the batteries accordingly.

Current wise, if your charger is rated at 2450mAh then that is the maximum size cell you can charge (you can charge lower rated cells without a problem).

espresso

KillerWatt wrote: »

Ignore all the "intelligent" charger crap, that is just sales spiel for people who don't know how battery charging works.
Simple fact is that if your charger says it can do NiCd/NiMH/Li-Ion, then that is exactly what it can do and it will charge the batteries accordingly.

Current wise, if your charger is rated at 2450mAh then that is the maximum size cell you can charge (you can charge lower rated cells without a problem).

Actually it is you who is talking crap!

Higher capacity cells simply take longer to charge to their full capacity.

In_for_a_Bargain

Thanks for all your advice folks. Didn't know my question was going to start a domestic though!! Just want to know which battery charger I need for the batteries I already have.

espresso

In_for_a_Bargain wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice folks. Didn't know my question was going to start a domestic though!! Just want to know which battery charger I need for the batteries I already have.

You have been given an example of a good charger that will charge all of the batteries that you have as well as many more.

In_for_a_Bargain

yes espresso it looks very good and thanks for your advice. Very helpful.

spakkker

Espresso is right - a higher capacity battery will simply take longer to charge , a ni-mh has more capacity and less voltage change when full than a ni-cad so you need a different timer switch at least or seperate charger.
This is relevant - http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Batteries/Charging_Methods/charging_methods.html
the big deal nowadays seems to be "fast charging" but this is not best for batteries.