[ray]

Do AAA batteries really need discharging now and then...Ray

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by ray

Do AAA batteries really need discharging now and then...Ray

That is mainly for NiCads Ray. If your batteries are NmH (or is it NMh?) it is not really necessary, but most batteries benefit from a few charge/discharge cycles when they are new.

[Markulous]

What sort of batteries, Ray?

Generally:
NiCd (the older rechargeables, used less and less these days) - always use until flat and then recharge
NiMH (more usual AA AAA rechargeable batteries) - don't really need discharging but an occasional full discharge is thought to 'condition' the batteries
Li-ion (shaped batteries, so ideal for small or irregular shaped items plus excellent performance) - don't need discharging (and are prevented from a full discharge which 'kills' the batteries). One downside to Li-ion is that they have a limited life from date of manufacture (even if you never use them), another is that if they're damaged they may release the whole charge in a very short time (explosively/inflammably)

[ray]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

That is mainly for NiCads Ray. If your batteries are NmH (or is it NMh?) it is not really necessary, but most batteries benefit from a few charge/discharge cycles when they are new.

Yes they are nmh so i guess there ok then thanks Graham

[silkstone]

I'll add my usual warning about battery charging and chargers. Many of the cheaper chargers can easily overcharge and destroy NiCd or NiMH batteries because they don't monitor each cell individually. If the cells are discharged different amounts (and this will happen even if they are all used for the same thing at the same time) it is easy to overcharge one while the others are still below capacity. Worse still, some of the most useless chargers just work on a timer.

I'd recommend something like the Ansmann DigiSpeed 4 or the Technoline BL-700. The latter can also do a discharge/recharge cycle to rejuvenate batteries that have been over-discharged. It also lets you set the charge rate so you don't have to charge quickly unless you're in a hurry. Batteries last longer with a slower charge rate.

Battery Logic UK - Technoline BL-700 intelligent LCD battery charger

Something else to consider are the new hybrid batteries such as Sanyo Eneloop. These are similar to NiMH but with a much longer shelf life. They will hold 85% full charge for a year, whereas most NiMH are down to under 75% in just a few months.

[ray]

Is this the one paul
Ansmann DigiSpeed 4 + 4x AA NiMH (5707033UK) - Warehouse Express
do warehouse express do a cheaper one that will do the job

[silkstone]

That's the one, Ray, although I'd search for one without the batteries - the Ansmann chargers are very good but their batteries are not - they lose charge quite quickly when stored.

The Technoline charger in my link above is cheaper and excellent, although you do need to read the instructions to figure out all the settings!

[ray]

Originally Posted by silkstone

That's the one, Ray, although I'd search for one without the batteries - the Ansmann chargers are very good but their batteries are not - they lose charge quite quickly when stored.

The Technoline charger in my link above is cheaper and excellent, although you do need to read the instructions to figure out all the settings!

Hmmm instructions not my best point do they not do a point and shoot ill get one of those thank's paul

[silkstone]

Hehe! By default the BL-700 is in 'Charge' mode at a rate of 200 mA - which is a low rate and would take 12 hours or more to fully charge 2500 mAh batteries if they were fully discharged.

Within 8 seconds of loading the batteries into the charger you can select 500 or 700 mA which will do the job a lot quicker, but it's better to use the slower rate if you're not in a hurry.

Any problems - just ask!