Battery Xtender
Disposable alkaline batteries are not perceived by most people to be rechargeable, and that's how the manufacturers like it. Until digital pulse-technology chargers came out a few years ago, it was NOT an option for most people. Alkaline battery walls are very thin, and the heat generated by simple brute-force recharging frequently split them open with a bang.
There are new chip-controlled chargers which will safely and effectively recharge "disposable" alkaline batteries. I have a Buddy-L Super Charger, one of the first designed this way. Bought it about 7 years ago, and I still use it to recharge all my alkaline batteries. Saves me a BUNDLE!
The newest of the new chargers claim to be able to charge Ni-Cad, NiMH, AND Alkaline in the same unit. (Don't know if this means mixed types at the same time.)
-- Nestey
Battery Xtender
$40
Available from Battery Recharger
Favorite (15)
David
I cant agree enough. Many years ago I bought a Buddy L and if you dont drain them down and stick them in regularly you will be very happy with your purchase...............now I am looking for another Buddy L for my Grandchildren..........so I will surf away now..........bye
frogcat
I bought one of these and was disappointed. You can't recharge drained batteries. So you have to monitor how much you've used your batteries before recharging them. I don't need the headache. I would advise against these.
Cliff
I purchased a Battery Xtender a couple years ago, probably after seeing it in CT.
I thought recharging alkalines was a cool idea since to that date rechargeables hadn't worked well for me. I must have missed the caveat about recharging drained batteries because a leaking alkaline battery nearly ruined my Canon S3
I had to disassemble the camera to clean and de-acidify it. It was harrowing.
Anyway, IMHO and based on my experience no one should try to recharge
alkaline batteries. And since the Enloops work so well, why would you want to?
geek
guys... you gotta use it ONLY as the instructions say!
You cannot recharge dead batteries... alkalines just cannot recover from this... you gotta recharge alkalines before they're below say %70 capacity for best results... also... (not in the instructions) let em sit for a little while after you charge em (over night) to make sure they don't burst! Remember you're doing something to the batteries that they weren't designed for - reusing disposable batteries! So yes, this is a bit klugy... but that's because it's a "hack."
If you don't wanna follow the very specific conditions under which this device recharges batt's... don't use it... but it does a wonderful job at the very narrowly defined job that it's built for! It does charge other types (nicad, nimh I believe too) at the same time... mixed batches.
I've owned two (first died at hands of the children).
My wife hates it, because it's something she "has to learn" and isn't willing to deal with it... I enjoy eeking more life outta the disposables.