Battery testers

Hi its me again many thanks for the advice on batteries I have now purchased eneloop batteries and charger need more advice which battery tester would you recommend. many thanks Tony Hudson

You won't want to hear this after already buying your charger but if you want to test batteries I'd recommend getting a charger such as the BC700 that can test, measure and recondition batteries.

But if you are only using the batteries for photography and not something where safety depends on knowing the batteries are top notch I really wouldn't bother. Good batteries and a good charger are all you need - charge them up, go take photos, and don't worry about this testing malarky. Just keep a spare set of charged batteries in the kit bag

All I would recommend is ensuring that you have a charger with individual charging circuits rather than a machine that charges a pair of batteries at a time on the same circuit.

You wouldn't believe how useful it is to be able to charge 1-4 batteries rather than just 2 or 4, and even more importantly is that it ensures that each battery is fully charged. When you charge 2 at a time on one circuit, one battery will usually 'top out' before the other and result in the other battery not being fully charged.

I was also wondering of the merits of buying new batteries and a speciality charger vs buying a new Pentax camera with it's own styled battery and supplied charger. Too late in this case, but I wonder how the money stacks up. The K-30 model can still use AA's by the way, if you obtain a suitable holder sold separately.

I use this simple system for AA pen cells;

Once every two months, I discharge each cell using this circuit which is automatic and very easy to make.




I use an RC type microprocessor controlled charger link that is compatible with all types of cells. Using this link to recharge the four cells because it only has one end leg to leg connector rather than the square version with more cell to cell connections (so less voltage drop).

Charge current is programmable so can be set to suit you. Although some kit can discharge a pack of AA's, I prefer to use the above circuit and have done so for over ten years.

Best regards

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When something goes wrong in the circus, they send clowns into the arena to distract the audience.

I wouldn't even consider using something like this just for charging some eneloopp AA cells as it isn't going to be as convenient and also won't be able to optimise charge for each battery like any reasonable quality dedicated charger with independent circuits for each battery can do but ...
Thanks for the links. The charger looks nice and is certainly cheap enough. I was looking for something like that to handle a bunch of different size Lithium cells I use in flashlights.

Assumptions are at best, a guess?

I use the charger to charge my Pentax and Nikon batteries, the Lipo's in my R/C electric heli and aircraft. The Lipo in my Makita and the Lipo in my Maglite. It does actually charge single cells as well if thats your preferred method of charge.

Best regards

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When something goes wrong in the circus, they send clowns into the arena to distract the audience.

Which is a very good reason to get this type of flexible charger.


Yes, but it doesn't do that using the method you described and without buying extra connectors and stuff and faffing around to charge the multiples in parallel (assuming it can do that) or alternatively just charging a single battery at a time.

Look, I'm not dissing your charger, I can see its usefulness and I might even get one myself. But I wouldn't want to see it recommended as a sensible solution for someone who just wants to charge some AA batteries.

I may have not put it clearly; the post was to show how I discharge single cells, not to bring up chargers.

Who would charge multiple cells in parallel? Indeed where did I say multiples in parallel?

The link was for a 4 cell holder (series) that uses a PP3 style connector.

As ever, always an interesting subject.

Best regards

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When something goes wrong in the circus, they send clowns into the arena to distract the audience.

I can highly recommend the "tecnoline BL700" it is brilliant. It has several modes and charging current settings. It rejuvenates old and tired NiCad's, charges/discharges/tests almost all rechargeable aaa and aa batteries. Battery Logic http://www.batterylogic.co.uk/ who sell them are excellent to deal with, giving good value, advice and after sales service. It will pay for itself in no time by salvaging batteries you thought were only good for the bin.
Regards David

That's the same BC700 charger I'm recommending but under a different name In fact the name on mine is 'Techno IC8800 but they're all the same. And all reasonably expensive.

It's really, really good. But only if you want to play with batteries and/or you need to cherry pick the best performing batteries from a set or you want to measure just how good other chargers are at stuffing juice into batteries, or salvaging batteries or generally wasting time I stand by my statement that for practical photographic use any reasonable charger that has separate charging circuits for each battery is likely to be just fine.

This must be right up there with the above requirements link

Best regards

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When something goes wrong in the circus, they send clowns into the arena to distract the audience.

I went with the Maha as it seemed a more bulky unit and spaced the batteries out more. I has higher charge rates from memory, which allowed me to charge a 2000mah battery at 1000mA, which was half the capacity and a good general guide. Essentially, both products are much better than a standard basic wall charger. Of note to me was the refresh cycle options, and the ability to reduce to a trickle charge once completed.

As above though, if you're looking at purchasing this sort of thing then maybe a camera upgrade is worth looking at, considering they give you a charger for free. The products being mentioned are essentially the last of a generation and are now 4 or 5 years old. Everyone nowadays has gone to custom product specific battery packs in their camera products. The K-30 retains the AA ability, but it's intended for a backup only.

eg link

ROFL

Now that's a charger/tester for complete NERDS!!

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[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283

Hate to say it, but that's essentially a re packaged Maha charger!

But seriously the USB connection is cool, but yes, very nerdy! Can't think of a situation where it would be that critical, considering a battery is a cheap item anyway really.