Need help deciding on a NiMH battery charger...

[taisingera]

I don't want to spend much on a charger, so $20-$30 is my range, but I want something better than the Energizer chargers. I have narrowed it down to Tenergy TN138 or Tenergy T-3150 chargers. They both can charge 1-4 cells, and have -dV control and 8 hour max timer shutdown. However, the TN138 has individual LED indicators for the batteries but no temperature sensor. The T-3150 has only 1 LED indicator for all batteries but has temperature sensor. The charging rate on the T3150 is slightly higher (AAA: 320-640 vs AAA:250-500 mAh) compared to TN138. Prices are fairly equal, which one would you choose?

 

[pm]

I wouldn't get either. I'd get this:
http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Tech.../dp/B000RSOV50

It's in your price range (although at the top of it), it's got lots of good ratings, it tells you the individual voltage of each cell and can charge all of the cells individually. It's got a thermal sensor, it's -dV, max charge rate is 700mA. I think it looks much more advanced that the Tenergy chargers.

 

[mikeford]

Lacrosse is nice, I have one and a old MAHA.

I have a ton of the free Harbor Freight flashlights that use 3x AAA, so the single cell charging and other features of the Lacrosse get used a lot. Keep a basic dumb charger around as none of the smarter ones like to charge a totally dead cell, but will take over after a dumb charger gets them going a little.

Used to be the camera guys were the experts on rechargers, now it more the flashlight guys, like www.candlepowerforums.com

 

[sm625]

Wall chargers are so 20th century... There are usb chargers now that give you lots more options on where and when you can charge.

I'm not sure what you gain by spending $20 more than you need to on a charger? For $20 you can buy literally 50 or even 80 AA Duracell or energizer alkaline batteries. Sure they are not even rechargeable but there is diminishing returns on trying to help the environment. I recycle all my batteries anyway...

 

[Thegonagle]

The BC-700 is a great choice for only $33. I've had mine several years now, and haven't had any problems at all.

It's not the fastest, but it has excellent features. The display tells you what you need to know, and it has test and refresh modes.

One design flaw is its inability to recognize a very deeply discharged battery (like less than half a volt or so) and start charging. I "jump start" those batteries by using a charged cell and some paper clips as jumpers to apply a quick 10 second boost to the dead cell. Then I quickly put the dead cell in the charger. The residual voltage from the boost is enough to get the charger to recognize the cell and begin charging.

There are faster, more capable chargers out there, but not for only $33 AFAIK.

 

[corkyg]

I have several chargers, and the best performer is the one that came with the Eneloops (by Sanyo) battery pack from Costco. It first discharges, and then does a full charge. Takes 4 AA or AAA batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA

USB charge? For emergencies only -An inefficient process. 🙂

 

[mikeford]

Wall chargers are so 20th century... There are usb chargers now that give you lots more options on where and when you can charge.

I'm not sure what you gain by spending $20 more than you need to on a charger? For $20 you can buy literally 50

What may not be obvious is that while alkaline batteries have indeed gotten MUCH cheaper, the quality has also dropped substantially, and NiMh has steadily improved. The order of quality batteries is now lithium, NiMh, NiCads, with alkaline still only around for cheapness.

Some applications are still well suited to alkaline, but generally only long term low power like wall clocks and remote controls.

I have several chargers, and the best performer is the one that came with the Eneloops (by Sanyo) battery pack from Costco.

Eneloops are great, make sure you get real Sanyo, but I wonder how you separate the good performance of the eneloops from what is like a cheap garden variety charger?

Unless my Maha dies, I'll never buy another charger that doesn't work with single cells like the Lacrosse does. The ability to toss in 4 random cells, and not only get all of them correctly charged, but to have a display showing capacity so I can make matched sets is just too handy to ever do without again.

 

[corkyg]

... Unless my Maha dies, I'll never buy another charger that doesn't work with single cells like the Lacrosse does. The ability to toss in 4 random cells, and not only get all of them correctly charged, but to have a display showing capacity so I can make matched sets is just too handy to ever do without again.

Yeah - Maha is one of my stable of chargers. For reconditio9ning or a NiMh of unknown condition, it has the best options. But, since all my batteries in use are now Eneloops, the Sanyo charger is my choice for travel - no cord or power brick a la Maha.

 

[taisingera]

I went and ordered the Tenergy TN138 with Tenergy Premium 4AA and 4AAA batteries. For my needs this was fine and for $27 shipped it was pretty good. Strangely, I have had good luck with using rechargeables in remote controls.