Kodak NiMH batteries compatible with Energizer charger?

[coleslaw]

I have an Energizer ACCU Rechargable NiMH batter charger that I use to charge Energizer NiMH batteries for my Visor Deluxe. I want to get the Kodak Photolife NiMH batteries for use with my Kodak DC280 digital camera. However, do I need to purchase the Kodak charger, or can I use the Energizer charger? The Energizer batteries have a rating of 1200 mAh and charge in 15 hrs, while the Kodak batteries have a rating of 1450 mAh and charge in 3 hrs. Any suggestions? I don't want to have to spend more money if I don't have to.

[ken]

Check out photo sites for your definite answer, like
dpreview.com
steves-digicams.com

But I'm 90% sure your answer is yes, you can interchange nimh chargers with any nimh battery, just don't mix nicd chargers with nimh batteries - without doing some research on your specifics.

I think thomas distributing's site (forget the url) has a large faq on the issue.

[coleslaw]

I'm figuring that it might be worth the money to get the Kodak charger and batteries for the simple fact that the Energizer batteries take 5 times longer to charge than the Kodak batteries. Thanks for the info though! I'll research this some more when I get a chance and update here.

[Startide]

The following is based upon empirical experience, reading website and printed data, and reading up on claims in various advertising/catalogue listings. It is what I use for myself, and perhaps you may find it useful.

I assume that the Kodak NiMH batteries can be charged on the slow-charge MAHA charger (Maha makes more than one type of charger and their slow charger is indicated as charging all batteries) and therefore can be charged on the Eveready timed charger as well. I have been charging other brands of high-capacity non-Eveready cells on the Eveready AccuCharger sold at Sam's Club. Previous to the AccuCharger, I had used an older charger which did not turn off, but at least it delivered a reasonable slow charge rate. By diligently guessing when to remove batteries, I have been successfully recharging.

Note #1:

Because your Eveready AccuCharger (bought at Sam's Club) is a timed device for 15 hours at approximately 150 mA, it can recharge a NiMH battery of 1600 mA but probably will not FULLY recharge one with a higher capacity. For example, if you had a mythical one billion mAH cell, that 15 hour charge at 150 mA will obviously not fill that one billion mAH cell up.

Note that 150 mA at 10 hours corresponds to 1500 mA hours. The timed recharge of 150 mA at 15 hours should be enough to recharge a 1500 mAH capacity cell. However, a cell at 1600 would be at the edge (I am guessing here).

I have recharged 1500 mAH cells (other brands) in the Eveready charger and they seem to have a "full" charge (they last the expected long time). Because I have a lot of batteries, I can afford to slow charge because while the cells are recharging, I am using other batteries that have already been recharged. I line up the recharged batteries in a "queue" so that the oldest recharged batteries are used first.

Note #2:

Because your Eveready AccuCharger is a timed device, it was meant for charging cells that are nearly empty of charge. If you are using this charger to top off your cells, then you will end up overcharging your cells, thus decreasing their life a little bit. The decrease in life is not so bad since this charger is running approx 10% charge (10% of 1500 mAH corresponds to 150 mA). The general info from the FAQs at Thomas Distributing and other sites is that 10% charge rates is a reasonable slow charge rate. As to how much it reduces the life of the cells from overcharging, I do not know (unless I experiment with my own cells via empirical testing which I am not going to do).

Note #3:

If you need to top off your cells, you will have two major choices based upon what you have right now:

1. Make a guess as to how much your cells are discharged and use the Eveready AccuChargers. Manually remove the cells from the charger after the amount of time you guessed that the cells needed to recharge. I use this method right now. A similar method had worked for me for quite a few years with Nicads, so I am also using it with NiMH. If you are diligent at removing the cells, then you could get away with using this charger without overcharging.

2. The other method is to buy a "smart" recharger that senses how much charge is in your batteries. The well-known MAHA smart recharger is the obvious choice. There are others, but I don't know who sells them. Popular Electronics has had two articles in the past about building your own smart recharger, but I bet most people aren't into building their own out of both IC and discrete components.

Note #4:

The newer technology NiMH cells that are capable of being fast recharged can also be slow recharged. Old technology NiMH cells that were created for slow recharging are not necessary good for fast recharging. How to identify between the old and new technology cells, I have no idea unless the battery company tells me on the website. Fast charging NiMH cells became widely sold in early 1999.

Abbreviations Used:

mA --> millamperes

mAH --> millampere hours