Rechargable Batteries

[SuperPickle]

For those of you that frequently use rechargeable batteries, particularly digital camera users, do you condition your batteries? Often? Notice any differences over time either way?

I just bought a set of Maha batteries with charger and for the price, would like to maintain them the best I can.

 

[dman]

There's plenty of deals on 'em, so haven't invested in a smart charger or any accesories.

 

[Cerb]

NiMH batteries should not have any different behavior no matter how you use them. Allegedly, longer charge cycles will get them closer to their peak capacity (allegedly, as I've not any real evidence one way or another, just theory), but that's about it.

The newer Maha and Duracells use some tech that I read in popular science a few years ago that lets them get more power in and out, and go through double, or more, charge cycles compared to others (some other brands may have it,too, but I know Duracell and Maha do).

 

[Baked]

I use the PowerEx/Maha MH-C401FS from thomas-distributing.com, paired w/ a few sets of PowerEx/Maha 2300mAh AAs. Has fast and slow mode charging. Since it's a smart charger, you don't have to worry about anything.

 

[randalee]

I run radio-controlled cars, so we do all kinds of crazy things to our cells. Things like discharging individual cells completely, then dead-shorting until next use. Hit this site, and check out "New Charging Updates for GP 3300's", just to get an idea. I wouldn't necessarily recommend stuff like this for your AA cells. We run Sub-C cells which can take a lot of abuse -- high-rate discharge and charge cycles. In fact, as I sit here tonight, I'm cycling my Panasonic 3000 and Yokomo 3300 cells. Charging to see how many MAh they take, then discharging back down.

Randy

 

[0roo0roo]

rather pointless. out of the hundreds of charges u'll get from the batteries you aren't going to get much more from babying them. waste of effort considering the cost of nihms...just get some cheap ones at frys or whatnot. point of nihm is that they don't have memory effect+they are cheap, paying more or babying em...thats like buying monster cable.

 

[Cerb]

Paying for the good ones like Duracell and Maha is worth it; but beyond that, I fully agree with 0roo0roo. Just get enough that have an extra set at the same charge level handy if the ones you're using start running low (~$10 or so for 4 AA ~2000 mAh Maha and Duracells, come on!).