NiMH rechargeable batteries questions

Black_Wolf

Black_Wolf

New member
Recently switched over to the rechargeables and have some questions.

When these things are charging is normal for them to get hot?

They are getting hot to the point where you cannot hold them in hand more than 20 seconds or so before having to let go from the heat

Is this normal?

Also you can smell that electronic smell like a circuit board smell from the charger when they are charging..

I charged them fully today and went hunting. Made 4 stands using the call bout 2 hours play time total.

When I got home I decided to "top off" the batteries, even though they were not drained so I have a full charge for a hunt tomorrow.

Should I do this or let the batteries run dry to where low battery light indicator comes on the caller, then recharge them?

Finally, can this charger charge the Lithium rechargeable batteries?

My charger is an Enercell 1to2 hour 4 bay unit.

Thanks in advance for replies
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Black Wolf,

There is an excellent sticky thread and discussion on NiMH batteries at the top of this section. I'm not sure it would answer all your questions but I believe it's well worth reading if you haven't already..

I'm new and have discovered the preparation of these batteries are crucial to not having a frustrating electronic caller hunt.

Like you, I'll be watching this tread to learn some of the experiences others have had....
 
The hotter you get the battery, the quicker it is degraded! Heat is not good for these batteries!

I never charge my batteries any quicker than a 2 hr charge. But most of time they are charged at a 3 hr charge time or longer, which is a slower charge rate and the batteries stay "cooler"!

Black Wolf,
I don't know anything about your charger, but it should tell you in the instructions as to what batteries it will charge.
Look into getting one of these Chargers - C801D or C9000

Breaking in new batteries the right way, will give them longevity. The C9000 charger will do this.
 
Thanks Coyote Control.

That link is great. They have that same Maha charger that was posted in the NiMH sticky thread on sale for 68 bucks!

Might have to pull the trigger on one of those.


I am not liking this charger I have. The batteries are getting too hot for my liking and I bought the slowest AA charger they had to fit my needs.
 
Originally Posted By: Black_WolfFinally, can this charger charge the Lithium rechargeable batteries?
My charger is an Enercell 1to2 hour 4 bay unit.
"Do not charge the Lithium batteries in a charger that is made to charge NiMH batteries"! Bad things may happen..........
They probably won't fit anyway.
 
I've been using the 801 maha charger for about a year now on 2 different sets of NiMH 2700 batteries. I always use the "soft charge" option.
Works great for me!
 
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Originally Posted By: fw707I've been using the 801 maha charger for about a year now on 2 different sets of NiMH 2700 batteries. I always use the "soft charge" option.
Works great for me!

I also use the 801 and it is a good charger. I also have the C9000 and it works even better. Mostly because you can set your own charge rate, which will help enhance the battery performance. Just wish that this charger was 8 cell instead of 4.
 
Thanks for the advice all!
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One more question... do the chargers you all posted link to plug directly to the wall, or is there a cord that plugs into the unit from the wall outlet?

My whole unit plugs into the wall. Theres no cord. I dont care for that at all.

Thanks again everybody!
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My Enelopp 4-bay charger barely gets them warm at all, but it takes about 6 hours for a full charge.

I'd say you're pumping current to them too fast, that's likely to shorten their life.

It's this charger, but I didn't pay anywhere near that much for it:

Eneloops + charger

Here's the rating on the back -

1.2V=300mA x 2/4 AA
1.2V=150mA x 2/4 AAA

So, that sounds reasonable, 2000mAh/300mA charge is right at 7 hours.
 
Originally Posted By: Black_WolfThanks for the advice all!
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One more question... do the chargers you all posted link to plug directly to the wall, or is there a cord that plugs into the unit from the wall outlet?

My whole unit plugs into the wall. Theres no cord. I dont care for that at all.

Thanks again everybody!
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The two chargers that I posted Black Wolf, they are used with a power cord.
 
That does it for me.

I'm returning this piece of crap and dropping the hammer on that c-9000.

They better be willing to do a refund....

Thanks again, all!
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You will not regret that decision its a very good charger. I put my batteries in to give them a slow charge this past week before going hunting and I had a dead battery that the charger identified so I swapped it out and am GTG now.
 
From my readings of NimH batteries, is the charge speed is different for different battery capacities. It should tell you on the battery what it's capacity is. Never use different capacity batteries in the same pack. The bottom line on charging is do not let the batteries get hot. I try to charge mine very slow to keep them cool. The heat will ruin them in just a few charges. They do not keep a memory like a Nicad battery does. So it does not hurt it to be charged when it's only 1/2 used up. But just like the old nickel batteries, they will loose about 10% of there charge a day. So a week will drain about 30% of the charge, and a month of just setting, will loose most of the charge.
The best chargers use the new pulse technology. Simply put, putting the charge in in short burst, keeps the batteries cool. Some charges that remotely charge the batteries, you will notice a third wire. This wire takes the batteries temperature to ensure it stays cool. I charge mine after being in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to make sure they stay cool. About every 10 charges, put a volt meter on each battery to make sure they are all about the same voltage. If one has a lower voltage, then that battery will suck the power out of the higher voltage batteries when install in a pack.
I hope this helps.
 
Thanks guys!

Refunded with no prob.

Even they said it shouldnt be getting that hot from a 2 hour charger.

Putting batteries in fridge. Thats a great idea! Never thought of that?

Getting the c9000 tomorrow.

Thanks again, everybody!
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