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Storing rechargeable batteries

K

Kooky45

Jan 1, 1970
0
I just bought a Uniross fast charger and 2100mAhr Ni-MH AA
rechargeable batteries for my new digital camera. I bought two sets of
batteries so I have one spare. I'd like to keep the spare set in the
charger so they're all in one place, but someone told me that if you
leave newly charged batteries in the charger, even with it switched
off, the batteries will discharge faster than if you keep them out of
the charger. I'm having difficulty finding a storage box locally to
keep the spare set in. I don't want to carry the spare set in the
camera case due to the extra weight so keeping them in the charger
seems the best option. Any suggestions? I always recharge batteries
after they go flat and store them that way so they're ready for use.

Thanks,

Ken
 
I

I used to be sober but now I am

Jan 1, 1970
0
I just bought a Uniross fast charger and 2100mAhr Ni-MH AA
rechargeable batteries for my new digital camera. I bought two sets of
batteries so I have one spare. I'd like to keep the spare set in the
charger so they're all in one place, but someone told me that if you
leave newly charged batteries in the charger, even with it switched
off, the batteries will discharge faster than if you keep them out of
the charger. I'm having difficulty finding a storage box locally to
keep the spare set in. I don't want to carry the spare set in the
camera case due to the extra weight so keeping them in the charger
seems the best option. Any suggestions? I always recharge batteries
after they go flat and store them that way so they're ready for use.

To hold the charge longer, store the charged batteries in the fridge.
 
C

Costas Vlachos

Jan 1, 1970
0
Kooky45 said:
I just bought a Uniross fast charger and 2100mAhr Ni-MH AA
rechargeable batteries for my new digital camera. I bought two sets of
batteries so I have one spare. I'd like to keep the spare set in the
charger so they're all in one place, but someone told me that if you
leave newly charged batteries in the charger, even with it switched
off, the batteries will discharge faster than if you keep them out of
the charger. I'm having difficulty finding a storage box locally to
keep the spare set in. I don't want to carry the spare set in the
camera case due to the extra weight so keeping them in the charger
seems the best option. Any suggestions? I always recharge batteries
after they go flat and store them that way so they're ready for use.

Thanks,

Ken


You might want to have a look here:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

....and this link in particular:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-19.htm

Hope this helps.

Costas
_________________________________________________
Costas Vlachos Email: [email protected]
SPAM-TRAPPED: Please remove "-X-" before replying
 
K

Kooky45

Jan 1, 1970
0
I used to be sober but now I am said:
To hold the charge longer, store the charged batteries in the fridge.

Emmmmm... yes, I could, but the charger has a car lighter socket
adapter and I was hoping to keep the batteries with me when I'm out
travelling. I was looking for an answer more along the lines of
either "No problem storing them in the charger" or "Better to get a
battery case from <supplier name, preferrably in the UK>".

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, I've some space in the veggy drawer.
Or would they be better in the freezer compartment?!

Ken
 
K

Kooky45

Jan 1, 1970
0
I used to be sober but now I am said:
To hold the charge longer, store the charged batteries in the fridge.

Emmmmm... yes, I could, but the charger has a car lighter socket
adapter and I was hoping to keep the batteries with me when I'm out
travelling. I was looking for an answer more along the lines of
either "No problem storing them in the charger" or "Better to get a
battery case from <supplier name, preferrably in the UK>".

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, I've some space in the veggy drawer.
Or would they be better in the freezer compartment?!

Ken
 
P

PoolShark

Jan 1, 1970
0
http://www.planomolding.com/outdoorproducts/tackle_sys/hpage17.html
the 3448-40 holds 4 sets of 4 AA batteries, I keep 3 sets of Nimh and one
set of info-lithium with me at all times. Goggled to get the link and came
up with some UK distros, I got mine at Bass Pro Shop here in the Colonies
<g> the lid is a slight press fit to close which helps keep the batteries
from sliding around, HTH
Ta,Guvner...[/QUOTE]
 
D

Dan Sullivan

Jan 1, 1970
0
I used to be sober but now I am said:
To hold the charge longer, store the charged batteries in the fridge.

Right next to my car battery?
 
T

T Strong

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Better to get a
battery case from <supplier name, preferrably in the UK>".

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, I've some space in the veggy drawer.
Or would they be better in the freezer compartment?!

Ken

www.7dayshop.com

do an excellent rubberised case to hold 8 AA batteries for about £3
 
C

Charlie Dilks

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks for the suggestion anyway, I've some space in the veggy drawer.
Or would they be better in the freezer compartment?!

I keep mine in the fridge. IMO the freezer might crystallize something
that shouldn't be.
 
Y

y_p_w

Jan 1, 1970
0
I used to be sober but now I am said:
To hold the charge longer, store the charged batteries in the fridge.

I don't know about that. There might be problems with condensation
when removed from the fridge, not to mention moisture in the fridge.

As for the charger - if you leave batteries in without power, there's
going to be some discharge through the circuit. You already have
the charger, so I guess a smart charger with trickle charge is not
an option.
 
R

Ron Hunter

Jan 1, 1970
0
Kooky45 said:
I just bought a Uniross fast charger and 2100mAhr Ni-MH AA
rechargeable batteries for my new digital camera. I bought two sets of
batteries so I have one spare. I'd like to keep the spare set in the
charger so they're all in one place, but someone told me that if you
leave newly charged batteries in the charger, even with it switched
off, the batteries will discharge faster than if you keep them out of
the charger. I'm having difficulty finding a storage box locally to
keep the spare set in. I don't want to carry the spare set in the
camera case due to the extra weight so keeping them in the charger
seems the best option. Any suggestions? I always recharge batteries
after they go flat and store them that way so they're ready for use.

Thanks,

Ken

Ken,
Depending on the charger, there might be some drain on batteries
left in it with the charger unplugged. I have a nice wallet that holds
two spare sets of batteries and a couple of extra cards. Of course you
KNOW not to drop spare (or used) batteries into your pants pocket. I
can PERSONALLY testify that this is not a good plan.
 
R

Ron Hunter

Jan 1, 1970
0
Kooky45 said:
Emmmmm... yes, I could, but the charger has a car lighter socket
adapter and I was hoping to keep the batteries with me when I'm out
travelling. I was looking for an answer more along the lines of
either "No problem storing them in the charger" or "Better to get a
battery case from <supplier name, preferrably in the UK>".

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, I've some space in the veggy drawer.
Or would they be better in the freezer compartment?!

Ken
NOT in the freezer. Place in a plastic bag, force out all the air, and
store in the refrigerator part at 40 Degrees F.
 
R

Ron Wong

Jan 1, 1970
0
I just bought a Uniross fast charger and 2100mAhr Ni-MH AA
rechargeable batteries for my new digital camera. I bought two sets of
batteries so I have one spare. I'd like to keep the spare set in the
charger so they're all in one place, but someone told me that if you
leave newly charged batteries in the charger, even with it switched
off, the batteries will discharge faster than if you keep them out of
the charger. I'm having difficulty finding a storage box locally to
keep the spare set in. I don't want to carry the spare set in the
camera case due to the extra weight so keeping them in the charger
seems the best option. Any suggestions? I always recharge batteries
after they go flat and store them that way so they're ready for use.

Thanks,

Ken

I don't know what your charger looks like but you might consider getting a
piece of thin plastic (open up a sandwich bag?) that is just the right
size so that when you place it over the housing in the charger into which
you put your batteries and press the batteries back into their position in
the charger, the plastic sinks into the housing with the batteries with
just enough left over at the ends so that the excess covers the terminals
of the batteries when they are in the housing.

If this is possible, that would seem to be the simplest solution.

To extract the batteries, you just tug on the excess piece of plastic
sticking out of the housing.

ron
 
K

Keith R. Williams

Jan 1, 1970
0
I don't know about that. There might be problems with condensation
when removed from the fridge, not to mention moisture in the fridge.

As for the charger - if you leave batteries in without power, there's
going to be some discharge through the circuit. You already have
the charger, so I guess a smart charger with trickle charge is not
an option.

Leave NiCd and NiMH batteries at room temperature and let them
self-discharge. Leave lead-acids on a constant float-charge.
Primary batteries are best stored refrigerated. THe chemistry of
these things differs greatly. Use them as their manufacturers
suggest, and whey will do well.
 
A

Allodoxaphobia

Jan 1, 1970
0
I don't know what your charger looks like but you might consider getting a
piece of thin plastic (open up a sandwich bag?) that is just the right
size so that when you place it over the housing in the charger into which
you put your batteries and press the batteries back into their position in
the charger, the plastic sinks into the housing with the batteries with
just enough left over at the ends so that the excess covers the terminals
of the batteries when they are in the housing.

That is the sort of trick I use to haul my digital cameras around
when travelling. Using _very_ thin, and appropriately cut and
trimmed pieces of plastic, I set one over one or more battery
contacts before closing the compartment and putting the camera
into its carrying case. I've found my camera(s) "ON" too many times
when pulled from the carrying case to do otherwise. Sure, there is
an "AUTO SHUTDOWN", but I do not need the aggravation. At airports --
when going through the Illusion Of Security -- it is a simple
matter to open the battery cover and blow out the plastic to prove
that it'll power up properly. (But, I've never been asked except for
once.)

When you cut up these plastic pieces, cut up LOTS of them and carry
them with you in a small zip-lock bag.

Jonesy
 
A

Alan Browne

Jan 1, 1970
0
Cool dry place, upright (+ve terminal up) so the vents operate
correctly. Somebody (Al Jacobs?) suggested boring .410 holes in a piece
of wood to hold thems ecurely upright.

In a camera bag, strap 4 batteries together with a an elastic band and
find a pocket that will ensure the batteries are +ve terminal up as much
as possible.

Alan
 
T

Top Spin

Jan 1, 1970
0
Cool dry place, upright (+ve terminal up) so the vents operate
correctly. Somebody (Al Jacobs?) suggested boring .410 holes in a piece
of wood to hold thems ecurely upright.

In a camera bag, strap 4 batteries together with a an elastic band and
find a pocket that will ensure the batteries are +ve terminal up as much
as possible.

I have never heard of this. Does it really make a big difference which
direction the batteries are oriented? Is this just for rechargeables?

If this were a big factor, I would think that manufacturers of
battery-operated equipment (such as cameras) would have the battery
housings oriented so the batteries are ALL pointing up, rather than
alternating up and down as most do.
 
I

imbsysop

Jan 1, 1970
0
Top Spin said:
I have never heard of this. Does it really make a big difference which
direction the batteries are oriented? Is this just for rechargeables?

If this were a big factor, I would think that manufacturers of
battery-operated equipment (such as cameras) would have the battery
housings oriented so the batteries are ALL pointing up, rather than
alternating up and down as most do.

I have read "keep upside storage" this too .. the argument given is because
of the overprssure vents .. but I sustain yr argument too ie the up/down
orientation in equipment so I have no idea it the initial statement makes
any sense after all.
 
D

Dave Cohen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thousands if not millions of rechargeable batteries are in use. My
completely uneducated guess is that the writer of the article you quote plus
a couple of his close friends and confidants carefully store their
rechargeables upright. The rest of us (thousands if not millions), just
throw in them in their pockets, camera bags, whatever, so I wouldn't lose
any sleep over it.
Dave Cohen
 
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