Help Choosing Consumer Style chargers:EROL

Description~Many of you have been switched on to using rechargeable batteries because of the obvious savings that can be made. Regular users of digital cameras and music walkmans soon realize that they are spending small fortunes on throwaway ALKALINE batteries. Some of the cheaper brands of ALKALINES are not up to the job anyway, they are unable to supply their energy quickly enough to high current drain devices such as Digital Cameras, so the voltage drops and the cameras shut down.

Nickel Metal Hydrides are the ideal choice; they maintain a steady voltage though their discharge cycle, so you can take more photos and then when they eventually do run out they can be recharged, up to 1000 times. They do not exhibit so called MEMORY EFFECT that has plagued similar Nicad cells. The higher initial cost is soon recouped and of course it is environmentally friendly.

There are basically three types of chargers to choose from : the Intelligent Microprocessor Type, Timed Cut Off Chargers and Trickle Chargers.

Intelligent Microprocessor Controlled Chargers are the latest developments - they are able to charge at much higher currents - therefore bringing the time to recharge down to 1-2 hours. They have clever electronics that are able to sense the amount of charge required to top up the battery and then they move into trickle charge. These are the best option but are more expensive initially. We currently offer a number of versions, they are all excellent chargers, they will charge both Nicad and NiMh AAA and AA size cell, and they will charge either 2 or 4 at time. Some come with a mains adaptor and a very useful 12v cigar lighter lead to enable you to use the charger whilst travelling in the car. Some come supplied with 4 AA cells.

Some have fan assisted cooling to cool the cells whilst charging .

The faster you charge cells the hotter they become.

Ansmann Energy 4 Fast Charger

Digispeed 4 Ultra

Uniross 1 - 2 Hour 2300 mAh Sprint Charger (Worldwide adaptor for use worldwide)

Trickle Chargers and Timed Cut off Chargers

Trickle chargers charge at a very low rate and can take 14 hrs to fully charge batteries, these are gentler on the battery - you are less likely to overcharge the batteries and should get more cycles from the batteries.

Timed Chargers - Usually between 3-8 hours depending on Battery Type. These charge at a higher current and charge for a pre-determined period of time. You can run the risk of overcharging by say charging up batteries that have only been previously partially discharged. Doing this too often leads to shortened life and performance. These are a less expensive that the Intelligent Chargers and providing they are used with more care then they are perfectly adequate. We currently offer the following as what we would class as our entry level charger. See following link.

Ansmann Photo Cam Plus Charger (complete with 4 x 2000 mAh AA batteries)

Like everything in life you get what you pay for and the choice depends on your budget. I hope that this short passage helps you make a more informed choice.

If you have any comments please let me know.~~~15111~15116~~