Alkaline charger? Anyone used this?

Microprocessor controlled, independent channel, charges alkalines:

Rosewill RGD-CT505 Battery Charger for AAA/AA Alkaline and Ni-MH Batteries

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182206

Anyone used one of these? Any opinions?

Thanks!

These type chargers come up once in a while on this Forum. You might try a search. Most agree that no matter how diligent you are with alkaline chargers, the cells will be prone to leaking, worse than alkaline cells already do. The general consensus, is that they just aren't worth messing with.

Dave

I agree, alkalines are disposable. While they can be recharged, it's generally not wise. The cells will either leak while charging or while in use.

Oh well - might make a decent portable NiMh charger though.

I would go with a Duracell CEF23 from Ebay...it's about $17 shipped...

alkalines can be recharged somewhat, but from what I have read and seen you cannot deplete them completely and they lose capacity each charge and the risks of leaking is basically very high. nimh + smart charger = savings over alkaline for most heavily used things. I calculate between 15-30 charges (4 cells + $20 charger setup) to break even, after that it is paying for itself.

Robin24k said:

I would go with a Duracell CEF23 from Ebay...it's about $17 shipped...

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+1, it is also a USB powering device as a bonus.

Yes, the CEF23 sounds like a better deal all around. Just grabbed one from Ebay.

Thanks for your experience guys!

You're welcome.

An added bonus is that the CEF23 comes with Duraloops. They are of the old type wrapper (Rechargeable, instead of Pre-Charged), which I don't think had any black tops.

It's sure interesting looking at the reviews of the charger, especially ones from people who only had it for a day, but who seem to be experts (even if they're not entirely accurate experts).

Those chargers require special rechargeable alkaline batteries, not the usual disposable kind.
Pure Energy, Ray-O-vac Renewal etc.

No, this is what it said:

"The Rosewill RGD-CT505 charger is based on a proprietary and patented technology that enables ordinary disposable alkaline batteries to be recharged."

So, unless you have to have 1.5 volts, why would you just not get some eneloops or something or if you need higher voltage, go with powergenix?

I personally hate the idea of throwing batteries away. Damn waste!

Robin24k said:

No, this is what it said:

"The Rosewill RGD-CT505 charger is based on a proprietary and patented technology that enables ordinary disposable alkaline batteries to be recharged."

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So does an "old" Saitek charger I have which also can take NiCd. Can't get myself to throw it out even though it's useless other than for the alkalines. Has been handy in some situations.

While with a special charger ordinary alkaline cells can be recharged there's like others said a few considerations.
Generally it's very safe to recharge the cells. They don't explode (and even if they do that wouldn't be nearly as dangerous is the lithium and lithium ion incident described here). However use them with caution. They're very prone for leaking. To my personal experience Duracell and Panasonic are the worst. Cheap store brand alkalines are somehow much better in this respect.

So while possible - use wisely and with care if you don't want them to leak in your equipment. That is - use them right after charge. It's OK to recharge a bunch if going on a trip and you want to have extra batteries - but when trip is over and/or the cells are empty - take them out of the light. That way the risk of a leak in light is not very big.

Robin24k said:

No, this is what it said:

"The Rosewill RGD-CT505 charger is based on a proprietary and patented technology that enables ordinary disposable alkaline batteries to be recharged."

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You will have a lot of leaky batteries. The special batteries have extra chemicals to reduce the reaction that causes alkaline batteries to leak. Those batteries will still leak after 3 years or so.

Alkaline batteries do not fully recharge.
I get 10 days (2*90 minutes) on my Walkman on fresh Pure Energy batteries.
After 1st charge 9 days. After 2nd charge 8 days. ... by the time I reach < 5 days I toss them and start a new set of batteries.

NiMH batteries will recharge to 100%.

LEDninja said:

I get 10 days (2*90 minutes) on my Walkman on fresh Pure Energy batteries.
After 1st charge 9 days. After 2nd charge 8 days. ... by the time I reach < 5 days I toss them and start a new set of batteries.

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Everything I have read says to recharge alkaline cells early and often. According to that advice you should recharge every day instead of waiting 10 days before the first charge. If the advice is correct the cells should last much longer that way.

Robin24k said:

...based on a proprietary and patented technology that enables ordinary disposable alkaline batteries to be recharged."

Click to expand...

IIRC, the old Buddy-L alkaline charger said the same thing, or something similar. It's mostly hooey, in my experience. Leak-leak-leak.

Yep, I'm sticking with LSD NiMH (and others should too). The cost is about the same but rechargeable alkaline can't be recharged as many times. Besides, the main reason I'm using NiMH is because it doesn't leak...

WDG said:

IIRC, the old Buddy-L alkaline charger said the same thing, or something similar.

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Hehe, I remember that Buddy L alkaline charger. **** Clark used to pitch it in the late night TV infomercial.

Yep, and I bit the hook. Seemed like a great idea... until the cells started leaking in everything (including the charger.) Oy, what a mess. :shakehead