NiMH batteries are now quite popular as a power source for many electronic devices. They are made in both high capacity and lower capacity types. All NiMH batteries are of course rechargeable and may be recharged with either a standard NiCad battery charger or by a charger made for NiMH use. If an ordinary NiCad battery charger is used, getting a full charge will take a longer charging time since NiCad batteries have a lower capacity. NiMH chargers can be obtained in smart charge or timer controlled models. Timer controlled chargers are set to charge for a certain time and then to shut off automatically. Smart chargers are not set to charge for any definite length of time but will continue charging till the battery has acquired a full charge and then shut off.
In this case why doesn,t everyone use a smart battery charger? The reason is simply that the smart charger is considerably more expensive since it is of more complex construction thus costing more to manufacture. As a result a certain percentage of users will choose the standard fixed time charger in order to save some money. There is of course some saving in the intial price but problems may result. The charger will often shut down before the battery is completely recharged. This can be inconvenient and results in having to start the charger again to get a full charge in the battery.This can be an annoying and ongoing problem so it is really best to spend a little more and get a smart charger.
If however only low capacity batteries will be used the standard fixed time charger will do the job adequately. For high capacity batteries the number one choice is definitely a smart charger.
Solar powered battery chargers can be obtained which will recharge batteries where you do not have power available. The charging rate of these is fairly low and they require a considerable period of time to fully charge a battery. If you are camping or living outdoors solar chargers are definitely useful to keep your batteries going till you can recharge them with a smart charger.
Some companies now manufacture low self discharge (LSD) batteries. These can retain 70% to 85% of their charge for a full year when stored at room temperature. Standard NiMH batteries may discharge up to 50% of their charge in the same conditions. LSD NiMH batteries are rechargeable using the standard chargers used for ordinary batteries. LSD batteries can be recharged up to 1000 times. This makes them very economical even though the intial purchase price is higher.
Electronic device users will find that there is a huge saving over time in using these rechargeable batteries. They cost more to begin with but they produce a very big saving over the cost of buying hundreds of standard non rechargeable batteries. Sanyo now make the Eneloop battery which can be charged up to 1500 times and will keep 75% of its charge for 3 years. Rechargeable battery technology is likely to continue to get ever better in the years ahead. For more information see NiMH Battery Chargers and 12v battery chargers
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