@zoneblue: "2AA torch, 2AA camera, 2AA gps"
On the side, I currently have a torch that runs on 3xAA. It worked at the time but, as I prefer rechargeables for most stuff, it's been really annoying since I lost that charger. It turns out that many if not most modern chargers on the shelves only charge batteries in multiples of 2. Even if they don't, I've yet to find a charger which advertises it as a selling point.
get 2 sets and charge 6 at a time
I gave up on the rechargables due to a bad habit of mine leaving them flat which kills them dead
@izogi If you love AAs, then you gotta love eneloop, and you have just also gotta love a decent charger. There are two typically well known ones, maha and lacrosse. The one i have is the BC-9009. Charges each cell individually, can adjust the charge rate, and has an lcd that tells you exactly whats going on. You can buy them on amazon/ebay for about 60 bucks.
There are now also a number of open source chargers, that among other things use a voltage inflection for termination, rather than waiting for the voltage to fall or the cell to heat (by which point the cell is already overcharged). see eg ultrasmartcharger.com
Before that charger i marked all the cells in pairs (still do), using a fine spirit marker on the white near the plus nub. Its important to keep pairs of AAs matched in their use history. Otherwise one flattens before the other, reverse charging its mate with unhappy consequences. Especially for lighting which often does not auto disconnect.
@geeves There are two kinds of AA rechargables.
1. Low self discharge (LSD) NiMH. Check out the eneloops. Theyll change your world. Long cycle life (2000 cycles), long shelf life (12 months), lower voltage sag, and better cold performance.
2. Everything else. Leaving an ordinary rechargable to sit for a few weeks will flatten it, and they are only good for a few tens of cycles. After a year or two you can pretty much bin them.
This post has been edited by the author on 11 February 2015 at 09:39.
I use one of these chargers, yes they are not cheap but you can charge 1, 2 3, or 4 at a time and that can be a combination of AA & AAA. It has proved invaluable to me. http://www.photoshack.co.nz/afawcs0142140/CATID=152/ID=574/SID=723149287/productdetails.html#.VNqpZOaUfAk
From the same site I obtained the Imedion batteries that hold up to 85% of charge if left on shelf for 12 months. http://www.photoshack.co.nz/afawcs0142140/CATID=151/ID=578/SID=77714109/productdetails.html#.VNqqF-aUfAk
Also use the same charger on a variety of other rechargeable s that I have.
