Rechargeable batteries ?

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

I have to go out and buy some more rechargeable batteries.

Do I have to buy the same brand for it to work in my battery charger or will any brand work in the charger that I own?

The rechargeable battery charger and batteries I own is Monster power cell.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

I have used many different brands in the charger I use. I can see no reason why the brand name would make any difference.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

That's a good question. There are NiCad and Nihm (or Nimh) types and maybe even other varieties like the old Rayovac Renwal alkaline. I have 2 types of chargers, but find using just the oldest type works fine.

[jfitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close jfitz]

The brand is not important; the type of battery is extremely important. NiCD, NiMH and Li-ion batteries require different chargers or a selectable charger. Some electronics will not perform properly on a different type of battery. Make sure your new batteries are of the same type as the original batteries to avoid problems.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

The brand is not important; the type of battery is extremely important. NiCD, NiMH and Li-ion batteries require different chargers or a selectable charger.

The charger I use will accept NiCd and NiMH without any manual switching. I certainly wouldn't mix the 2 battery types when charging though.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

I thought something had to mach up, I just did not know what it was.

Thanks everyone for this information.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

I own Nimh 1850 mAh. Does it matter if I buy 2400 mAh? Will this affect the battery charger? I will I get I get a longer charged battery?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I own Nimh 1850 mAh. Does it matter if I buy 2400 mAh? Will this affect the battery charger? I will I get I get a longer charged battery?

Be sure to charge the same battery at the same time.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

I own Nimh 1850 mAh. Does it matter if I buy 2400 mAh? Will this affect the battery charger? I will I get I get a longer charged battery?

I believe that you will get a longer charge (or at least the flash will be ready faster if used in a camera). Shouldn't matter for the charger much.

[jfitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close jfitz]

I own Nimh 1850 mAh. Does it matter if I buy 2400 mAh? Will this affect the battery charger? I will I get I get a longer charged battery?

The 2400 mAH batteries will take longer to charge and last longer once fully charged. It is important not to use a combination of 1850 & 2400 mAH cells at the same time in the charger or in the device in which they are used.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

The 2400 mAH batteries will take longer to charge and last longer once fully charged. It is important not to use a combination of 1850 & 2400 mAH cells at the same time in the charger or in the device in which they are used.

I mix ratings in the charger all the time and have never had a problem. I wouldn't mix types e.g. NiCd & NiMH. Never had a problem with mixing rates in a device either.

[Elan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Elan]

I think the answers to the charging questions you've posed all depend on the intelligence of the charger used. Some are very crude, others are more sophisticated.

Here's an example of a sophisticated (and relatively expensive) charger:

Amazon.com: La Crosse Technology BC700 Alpha Power Battery Charger: Patio, Lawn & Garden


I recently bought the Sanyo Eneloop batteries and charger. These are a relatively new technology that minimizes self-discharge, so batteries that have been charged and then sit (such as the backups in your camera case) still have upwards of 70% of a full charge over a year later.

Read more here:

Amazon.com: Sanyo Eneloop Battery Charger w/ 8 AA & 4 AAA Batteries Plus 2 C & 2 D Size Adapter: Electronics

I bought this exact item at Costco for slightly less than the Amazon price, but I don't remember the exact cost. IMHO, a very good deal for all that you get.

[jfitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close jfitz]

I mix ratings in the charger all the time and have never had a problem. I wouldn't mix types e.g. NiCd & NiMH. Never had a problem with mixing rates in a device either.

Depending on the sophistication of the charger you may overcharge the smaller capacity cell, shortening its lifespan or undercharge the larger capacity cell. A few chargers, MAHA makes a very nice one, are capable of charging cells individually rather than in pairs which eliminates the problem. Depending on how the device determines when to shut down on low battery, damage to one of the mismatched cells can result as well. Since manufacturers vary in the way they determine capacity, it is not even a good idea to mix different brands of the same capacity rating.

The damage I refer to is long term, requiring many charge/discharge cycles, resulting in diminished capacity and shortened lifespan. Since the damage is not sudden and dramatic but incremental over time, it is not obvious.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

I ended up buying Energizer 2500 mah - NiMH

Thanks everyone for your help.