20%
OFF

Energizer CHM4FC Battery Charger High Energy

List price:	~~$24.99~~
Our price:	$19.94 that is 20% off!
Manufacturer:	Energizer

Average user rating: Average user rating: 2.5

Versatile, but Not Smart

This unit is versatile as it will charge several sizes of batteries, BUT I was surprised to find out that it charges batteries for a fixed time of 3 hr or 5 hr for NiCd and NiMH, respectively (at 500mA)--a semi-rapid charger. The new NiMH and NiCd battery chargers (not this one) generally use some delta-voltage-current-somethingeruther and a few other newer techniques to charge batteries only up until they're full, then they trickle charge them. This Energizer model seems to use "old" technology to charge batteries. It doesn't matter what size/capacity/charge level, it charges them all for the same fixed amount of time. I found that it charged barely-discharged NiMH batteries for the same fixed 5 hours. To me, it should not run so much extra current through them unnecessarily. I guess it does the job, but I cannot find a "smart" battery charger that would charge the other sizes.

Solid, versatile charger

For the money, you'd be hard pressed to purchase a better battery charger. This unit from Energizer (which is apparently really getting into the rechargeable market) can charge any consumer-size battery--AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V--in either NiCad or NiMH chemistries.

It charges standard cells in about 4-6 hours and 9V batteries in about 9-10. This rate isn't as fast as some "quick chargers," but doesn't make the batteries hot and is really slightly better for them. When it's done, it keeps them on "trickle charge" so that they're at 100% capacity when you remove them.

For any batteries except 9V, you have to charge in pairs; many NiMH chargers have this restriction, however. You also cannot charge NiCad and NiMH at the same time.

Overall recommendation: If you're looking to stop wasting money on alkaline batteries and need a NiMH charger for household use, buy this one. For those few people who really *need* to be able to charge batteries in one hour (which are really only very high-intensity digital camera users), however, spend extra for a quick charger.

Worthless

Alkaline batteries would last a week in my child's toy. I am lucky if these rechargable batteries last a day. They spend more time in the recharger than in the toy. Save yourself the money and the grief. Do not buy this product.