Hi all,
I've got a couple of questions about charging rechargeable batteries, and the best charger to use for them.
1. I've got the Nitecore D4 charger, and wonder if this is the best charger for my needs? At present I only charge NiMH's but like the option to be able to charge Li-Ions if need be later (got a torch that can take 14500's, but no cells yet). I've been looking at the Opus BT – C3100 V2.2, but wonder if the benefit of it is worth the cost? I estimate it would have to increase the life of my cells by ~50% (I don't have that many), to be worth the cost (assuming I didn't resell the D4 or anything). I like the idea of having an analysing charger, but don't know that it's worth the cost. Anyone have suggestions? (Opus is ~$50AUD for me)
2. When I charge the cells in the D4, I usually set them going overnight on the "low" setting (I think 375mAh for AA, 150mAh for AAA with all slots full), because I'm not in a hurry, and thought this would help extend the life of them. However, reading this page and other threads I've read here suggest this current is too low, and I should just use the "high" setting as that is between 0.3C-1C (can't remember what it is exactly off the top of my head, maybe ~500mAh?). Is this correct? Should I just use the high current setting? And how quickly should I be taking them out of the charger once finished? All of my cells are standard eneloops/fujitsu NiMH.
Thanks!
I've got a couple of questions about charging rechargeable batteries, and the best charger to use for them.
1. I've got the Nitecore D4 charger, and wonder if this is the best charger for my needs? At present I only charge NiMH's but like the option to be able to charge Li-Ions if need be later (got a torch that can take 14500's, but no cells yet). I've been looking at the Opus BT – C3100 V2.2, but wonder if the benefit of it is worth the cost? I estimate it would have to increase the life of my cells by ~50% (I don't have that many), to be worth the cost (assuming I didn't resell the D4 or anything). I like the idea of having an analysing charger, but don't know that it's worth the cost. Anyone have suggestions? (Opus is ~$50AUD for me)
2. When I charge the cells in the D4, I usually set them going overnight on the "low" setting (I think 375mAh for AA, 150mAh for AAA with all slots full), because I'm not in a hurry, and thought this would help extend the life of them. However, reading this page and other threads I've read here suggest this current is too low, and I should just use the "high" setting as that is between 0.3C-1C (can't remember what it is exactly off the top of my head, maybe ~500mAh?). Is this correct? Should I just use the high current setting? And how quickly should I be taking them out of the charger once finished? All of my cells are standard eneloops/fujitsu NiMH.
Thanks!