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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: travelinbeat on December 26, 2009, 01:18:21 AM
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I got some rechargeable 9V's for Christmas:
http://tiny.cc/npJaC
And a charger too:
http://tiny.cc/ya7lI
I know that this charger indicates completion of the "Rapid Charge" phase by having the LED switch from red to green, and I understand that from that point, it will trickle charge the batteries. Question is, what is trickle charge, how long does it take, and how can I be sure that the batteries are truly fully charged before I take them into the field?
Thanks
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Question is, what is trickle charge, how long does it take, and how can I be sure that the batteries are truly fully charged before I take them into the field?
Hey-
My understanding of trickle charge is it just replaces what the battery loses on it's own. So if a battery looses 2% of it's charge over a day or two a trickle charge just maintains the full charge. So basically, when your rapid charger switches to green, you're 100% charged and ready to go. A trickle charge doesn't add more capacity to your battery- it just keeps it fully charged.
If you want to verify the charge grab yourself a battery meter. Also, an added side-benefit-chicks go nuts when they see a man checking voltage... ;)
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I was doing some battery research over the holiday myself. I'm gonna start a new thread on a specific issue with rechargeables that people need to be aware of, but trickle charge is simply the charge to keep the batteries topped off. However, the best purpose for trickle charge is to keep your batteries in peak shape when they're not in use. You can leave your batteries in the charger 100% of the time and trickle charge will keep them in optimal performance condition...IOW you can leave them on trickle for a year and the batteries will still be good as new. The reason is that the trickle charge keeps the chemicals inside the battery optimal for battery performance This of course assumes that the trickle charge is the proper voltage for the batteries, so since your charger is specifically designed for these batteries, I think you're good!
EDIT: Above discussion on trickle charge is applicable to SLA batteries.
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trickle charging can seriously damage NiMH batteries. Do not leave them in the charger for prolonged periods. I would rather see someone cycle charge (refresh-drain/charge) for long periods than trickle charge....
Radid charging is also not the best way to get your batteries to full capacity... Slow chargers, or smart charges are the way to go. My LaCross Charger might take 24 hours to properly charge 4 AA 2700mAh's, but I am sure they are at capacity when it is done...
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trickle charging can seriously damage NiMH batteries. Do not leave them in the charger for prolonged periods. I would rather see someone cycle charge (refresh-drain/charge) for long periods than trickle charge....
Radid charging is also not the best way to get your batteries to full capacity... Slow chargers, or smart charges are the way to go. My LaCross Charger might take 24 hours to properly charge 4 AA 2700mAh's, but I am sure they are at capacity when it is done...
Thanks for the correction Murph. I did revise my earlier message to say that the trickle charge concept works for SLAs.
I also did read that slow charging is a better method of charging batteries. By slow the guideline that I read said the rule of thumb is overnight.