AA Ni MH batteries

[ronk]

I bought an Apple AA battery charger and six batteries a few years ago - They've laid around in my desk drawer for years so as I was going to need to use two I decided to charge them up.

Two of them would not be recognised on the charger - They were both at 0v

After a bit of digging, I found that of another 1.5v battery was connected in parallel it would bring the 'dud' back to life. I was a bit sceptical but can say that it has worked - Flashed it across for a few seconds - Then they were put back into the charger and were recognised. They are now fully charged.

No doubt you electronic wizards will laugh but to a Mech Eng its witchcraft!

 

[Scubaregs]

The downside is it makes you post everything twice? :rofl:

 

[Rockhopper]

I’ve done that but I used my Milwaukee 5 amp drill battery. It worked fine but you need to be very careful!

 

[buzyg]

I bought an Apple AA battery charger and six batteries a few years ago - They've laid around in my desk drawer for years so as I was going to need to use two I decided to charge them up.

Two of them would not be recognised on the charger - They were both at 0v

After a bit of digging, I found that of another 1.5v battery was connected in parallel it would bring the 'dud' back to life. I was a bit sceptical but can say that it has worked - Flashed it across for a few seconds - Then they were put back into the charger and were recognised. They are now fully charged.

No doubt you electronic wizards will laugh but to a Mech Eng its witchcraft!

I vaguely recall the battery can provide more current than the charger does and that kicks it off. Chances are the batteries won't hold their charge for as long as new one should. But if your using them on a light load then no problem. 40 years since I studied Elec Eng. :wink:

 

[Colin_E]

If the 'reconditioned' batteries don't hold charge for long (they probably won't), you can of course replace with any other brand of NiMH battery. The Apple branded ones were actually made by Sanyo Eneloop . Eneloop is a good (but pricey) brand that is now part of Panasonic but many other own brand NiMH batteries are reportedly rebranded Eneloops too. I've read that Ikea's "Ladda" batteries are one such brand - in my experience they perform well and are inexpensive.