XPost: sci.electronics, uk.radio.amateur   
   From: bdm@fenrir.org.uk   
      
   On Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:46:53 +0100   
   Spike  wrote:   
      
   >   
   > Brian Morrison wrote:   
   >   
   > >... but I have to say that my reason for buying it was to allow me to   
   > >resurrect some batteries that have been run flat to the point of   
   > >being unable to charge in my other chargers. So far the C9000 seems   
   > >to be able to sort out 3 out of 5 that I've tried, with another 3 to   
   > >go.   
   >   
   > Wouldn't it have been more cost-effective to buy new cells?   
      
   For a few times, yes, but I decided to invest in ensuring that my   
   current good cells and future purchases are kept in good condition.   
      
   >   
   > While there are some good techniques about for reviving ones that are   
   > otherwise defunct, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, the cost   
   > these days even for good quality cells is not high.   
      
   True. What's annoying is that a battery case I use won't allow me to   
   fit in cells that are at the upper limit of AA battery dimensions,   
   assuming that the places I've looked to confirm the diameter are   
   correct.   
   >   
   > If the use to which the recovered cells is in any way critical, then   
   > that's another argument for replacement.   
      
   Well, nothing is critical just now, but there's always the time you   
   think they will be OK and then you're left without adequate power when   
   out and about.   
      
   >   
   > The effectiveness of chargers with a brain depends very much on the   
   > charge-discharge algorithm; I have a 'smart' USB charger here that   
   > flags up nearly any almost-new cell as defunct. While the concept of   
   > the charger is a good one, it is impossible to overcome the inbuilt   
   > algorithm and make the unit a useful item.   
      
   It would be nice if these chargers were flash programmable, so that any   
   bad tendencies could be sorted out after purchase.   
      
   >   
   > These days I stick to Eneloop cells; I find their very long (by other   
   > rechargeable cell's standards) charge-retention times more useful than   
   > outright capacity - 95 percent after 6 months and 80 percent after a   
   > year is a useful bonus in occasionally-used gear.   
      
   Are they the Sanyo ones? If so I have heard of other reports about   
   their benefits. Never actually seen any on sale though, I assume you   
   have to search them out on-line.   
      
   --   
      
   Brian Morrison   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)