Best Smart AA AAA Battery Charger under $60?

eatwell365 on 26/05/2012 - 06:43
Last edited 26/05/2012 - 06:44

I have recently been SAVING some money to buy few things online after following OZbargain.

Bought some rechargable AA and AAA NiMH batteriers. They have arrived this week.

Think it s time to throw away my supermarket charger and invest on a better smart battery charger - the ones that recondition and charge individual batteries.

Since I do not have many batteries to recharge. Only once in a blue month.
My thought is not to buy too expenseive. Normally batteries are used for kid toys or torches.

Which would you recommend on battery charger with a budget of $60 max?

After studying reviews, my preference is narrowed down to AccuPowerIQ328 ($10 lower than a La Crosse BC-700) from overseas.

Thanks in advance.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Densor on 26/05/2012 - 09:34

    I purchased a Vapex AA/AAA super fast LCD NiMH Battery Charger from http://www.electronicswarehouse.com.au/battery-charger/fast/ . It is only $29.99. It's a smart charger that monitors and charges each battery individually. I wanted to know exactly what was happening with each battery. Make sure you get a charger that will do 1 to 4 batteries at a time, and not just 2 or 4. This tells you that it is able to control and charge the individual battery and not just in pairs.

    The guy at Electronics Warehouse was helpful and mailed the charger the same day I ordered, and it arrived the next day. There are a few discount deals on the site. If you mention you found his site through WOMO he gives you a discount. He also has a lot of information about batteries and chargers in his blog.

    David

    • StevieRay on 26/05/2012 - 12:41

      Hmmm. It monitors but I thought the best way to preserve the lifespan of a rechargeable battery was to stay away from fast charging.

      I would have thought that the charger where I can adjust the current to trickle charge would be best for the battery.

      • Densor on 26/05/2012 - 17:23

        The cheap supermarket chargers will try and charge fast and then cut off on a fixed timer. No good if the battery is already half charged. The continuing fast charge just heats up the battery and kills it.

        These "smart" chargers monitor the voltage and adjust the charging rate. Once they get near full they drop to a trickle charge. I liked this charger as it monitored each battery seperate. You can watch it drop back on one fully charged battery while it continues to charge the others. Like I said, the guy has some good explanations on his website. I've been using mine to charge my Eneloops and they are lasting really well.

    • eatwell365 on 26/05/2012 - 22:46

      Thanks. would you pay extra $13 to get a smart charger that 'recondition' the batteries? and does the Vapex discharge battery? Is it necessary to discharge for NiMH?

      • Densor on 27/05/2012 - 09:38
        +1

        The ability to discharge and re-condition batteries used to be very important with NiCad batteries. NiMH don't seem to have the same problem , at least in the cameras and toys that I've been using them in.
        Have a read of http://www.electronicswarehouse.com.au/blog/batteries-on-pro… . Sorry to keep linking to that site but I'm impressed by the sensible advice he gives.

        I just had a look at the AccuPowerIQ328 charger you reffered to and it's a very nice charger. It's smart like mine but with lots of bells and whistles. It's certainly top of the range. Just be carefull with what power adaptor they supply you with. All the ones on ebay either had USA or Euro plugs and you'd need another converter.

  • eatwell365 on 30/05/2012 - 23:38

    Bought an IQ328 shipped for around $45 on ebay.

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