Originally Posted by
mulchie
Sorry to hitchhike here... but I have roughly the same question +1./
I want to get some rechargeable AA also maybe C batteries (what kind? I don't have a clue) and a charger but know zip about the specs and what to look for. Seemed better to ad on here and get the advice of the wise ones rather than start a whole new thread. (thanks, grun)
I don't want to spend a ton, but I am just don't like constantly throwing out the hardware store batteries any more. Does that make sense? I'm kind of put off by the $ for the chargers, though.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACC1.HTM
Read the reviews here. It's an independent review site and I like their format. The features you want are 'smart' charging, trickle charge, discharge (handy aand optional), and somethign witha ready light at the bare minimum.
Sanyo Enloops can be recharged on any charger and do not need a special charger. They are next generation batteries and hold power long. A fully charged Enloop should have 85% charge left in about 6 or 12 months. To be safe I'll say 6 months as I forgot. Normal NIMH cells will be probably out of charge by then. NIMH can lose as much as 1-3%/day. In my experienceI always charge up all my cells for a rainly day or so they're at the ready then put on the charger again to top up the power then use them that day.
I echo Varus's comments on the good charger. I'm on the budget side right now and can't spring it but if I could I'd get the Lacrosse BC-900 (get the new firmware 3.xx something) which comes with a case, battery adaptors, and a set of AA/AAA batteries or the MAHA 9000. Maha is pretty much king of the field from what I see when it comes to chargers. I've been following thier products from about the 2000. Thier algorithyms (sp) and advances in the chargers are currently (if memory is correct) in the 7th generation of products so I would say they know thier stuff well.
If you want to go cheap then buy the cheap batteries but if you have a cheap charger that always cooks the cells (ie. HOT enough that you can't put on your lap while rolling the cell) you'r wasting your money. Get a good charger first. Everything else is secondary. If you can't afford a better charger now and still using a cheap charger that has smart features in it then keep a fan close by and run it on slow or on to keep the cells cool.