Recharge non-rechargable batteries?

[rchadd]

Just seen on cable TV an advertisement for a charger for non-rechargable batteries (such as Duracell)

Is this really true? (suppose it must be as its on TV!)

i thought it is not possible to recharge regular batteries, and you need to get special ones.

[itismejs]

They do work but take awhile to charge but if you have some batteries laying around what can the harm be...its probably $25 shipped. They wont hold the longest charge and you can probably only do it once or twice.

[lucindrea]

$12 raido shack , nicad charger and 8 AA nicad batts , my remotes never run out of juice

[Grasshopper]

It's true. I've seen them advertised before but for some reason high street shops don't tend to stock them.

The reason you should not attempt to charge regular batteries with an ordinary recharger is apparently because it's dangerous. I think if you overcharge them they blow up or something.

However there are special chargers available that can electronically sense when the battery has reached it's maximum safe charge point and then switch off.

[Crazy Cooter]

If they blow up, you'll have that funky battery crap all over.  Just buy "real" rechargables and call it a day.

[DrewKaree]

Yeah, Wal-Mart has some Kodak rechargeables that are only like $10 for a 4 pack AND charger, and the same batteries are $6 for a 4 pack and NO charger...can be recharged hundreds of times....screw messing around with alkalines, it's just not worth it anymore...besides, what are you gonna do with the extra alkalines that come in that pack you'll buy? 

Rechargeables have gotten so cheap it isn't even worth it to buy alkalines at the friggen dollar store anymore!

[Sephroth57]

yeah im actually really impressed with the rechargables i got for my digital camera. i might start buying some more rechargables to try out in other stuff

[Ken Layton]

As a technician I would NEVER attempt to recharge/charge a non-rechargeable battery (such as alkaline and carbon-zinc). I've seen those units advertised on TV. They are special chargers and you can only recharge once maybe twice.

In operation these chargers should NEVER be left unattended as the batteries still can catch fire and/or explode (just like the warnings the manufacturers put on the batteries). Every battery and it's internal battery/chemical reaction can be different. Batteries generate some explosive gasses while charging too.

In my opinion you should forget the whole idea of trying to charge alkalines (it's just tv marketing hype anyway) and buy real rechargeable batteries like either ni-cads or nickle metal hydride and the proper charger.

[Snarbald]

I never liked ni-cads, it was like it took hours to recharge them and then they only powered my gameboy/discman for like 5 minutes. Of course I haven't used them since I was like 12 because of that. Has the technology maybe improved so they charge faster and/or hold the charge longer now?

[crashwg]

I bought a charger a long while ago that claimed to charge alkaline batteries.  It worked alright on a few batteries but then this one battery swelled up arround it's mid section so it looked like it swallowed a marble or something...  I grabbed the battery from the charger and threw it into the woods!  Charger ended up in the garbage shortly after.

[fredster]

What's the best brand and model for re-chargeable batteries?

[DrewKaree]

I dunno about brand names, I usually go looking for the highest mAh I can find.

I don't know about other cell sizes, but AA, which has been the overwhelmingly popular size I've needed will be sold up to 2500, IIRC.  The Kodak set with charger at Wal-Mart are 2200's, and they seem to hold a charge pretty long, and work DYNAMITE in my digital cam (about 70-80-ish high res pix), whereas the 1600's I first bought with my old charger would last less than 30 pix before I had to swap 'em out.

Someone in a thread similar to this one posted something about Thomas Industries, IIRC, mebbe Google it to see.  They sell several different types, Sony, Energizer, Kodak, etc.

[G@M3FR3@K]

...  I grabbed the battery from the charger and threw it into the woods!  Charger ended up in the garbage shortly after.

I'm not sure that was the smartest thing to do!     I think Smokey The Bear would be highly disappointed with you! 

[Stingray]

...  I grabbed the battery from the charger and threw it into the woods!  Charger ended up in the garbage shortly after.

I'm not sure that was the smartest thing to do!     I think Smokey The Bear would be highly disappointed with you! 

LOL! I got a funny mental picture of a guy chucking a battery and ducking for cover followed by a greanade-like explosion.

-S

[pointdablame]

I would never attempt to recharge a non-rechargeable battery.  It's just not worth it in my opinon.

Rechargeables are not much more expensive than regular alkalines, and for that reason, I think it's silly to even consider these gimmicky chargers.

For my money, I've had fantastic luck with Maha/Powerx chargers and batteries.  I'd also recommend http://www.thomas-distributing.com/index.htm as I've dealt with them in the past and was very happy.  You can find decent rechargeables damn near anywhere though...