|
|
|
|
|
|
HomeElectronicsComputers & Add-OnsComputer Add-OnsENERGIZER CHVCWB2 Value Charger With Batteries |
|
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 26 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Overnight Nimh Aa/aaa Charger: It's OK Jun 11, 2007
By buyer me
"I buy things"
The light comes on when it's charging, but never goes off, so you never know when it's done. Also, you have to charge 2 or 4 at a time, not one or three. Seems to work OK.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 Slow cooker Aug 12, 2008
By Daniel F. Heiman
It is not clear enough from the earlier reviews -- This charger DOES NOT automatically shut off when the batteries reach full charge. It just keeps cooking them, and they do get quite hot. Can't be very good for them....
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 Overcharging Sep 24, 2010
By Jason
I don't have this specific model of charger (I have CHVCM with the same green lights), but I want to give some input on overcharging. It is only safe to leave NiMH batteries charging indefinitely if the charging current is less than 10% of the cell's current rating (The mAh rating.) If the charging current is higher, then you definitely do not want to leave the batteries charging past full charge.
To calculate the charging time, just divide the battery's mAh rating by the charging current output by the charger (measured in mA.) I couldn't find a spec sheet on this charger, so you'll have to flip it over and look at the writing on the back or sides. It will be around the other electrical specifications (AC input voltage and DC output voltage ratings.)
My charger lists the charging current as: 260 to 300mA (~15% of cell's rating). So with 2000mAh batteries, that's an average charging time of about 7 hours. Of course, chargers and batteries vary, so I would let it run a little longer. (My spec sheet reads 8.5hrs for 2000mAh and 10.5hrs for 2450mAh. It also says that there is an 11 hour shutoff timer. Nice!)
You don't need to be totally paranoid about how long you let the charge go, but it does need your attention. Going by the math above, I don't think you'd run into any trouble if you let the charge run for 10 hours, but I would be nervous to let it run for 15 hours. If you want to let it run overnight, but are worried of charging too long, just use a simple AC lamp timer to decide how long to run the charge while you're sleeping. You can pick one up for $10 or less.
That being said, you may be able to charge the suckers for 24 hours without starting a fire or causing the batteries to explode (but maybe not), but it would definitely hurt the battery's ability to hold a charge.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Socket socket on the wall, who's the Dumbest Charger of them all? Jan 31, 2012
By NLee the Engineer
There are smart chargers, there are dumb chargers, and then there is this Energizer Overnight Charger.
A 'smart' charger monitors each battery's status individually, and stops charging when each battery is full. This is the only way to ensure that your batteries are fully charged but not over-charged.
A 'dumb' charger typically charges batteries in pairs only, and relies on a safety timer to terminate charging after 8-12 hours.
This Energizer CHVC3 Overnight charger (also called 'Basic Charger') shown here is dumber than dumb. It has no charge termination mechanism at all. It simply charges each pair of batteries at a low current (190mA for AA, 90mA for AAA) FOREVER. It is up to you to remember to remove the batteries after certain number of hours, as estimated by:
[ Charge Time (hour) = Capacity (mAh) / Current (mA) ]
For example, if your batteries' capacity is 2000mAh _and_ they are completely discharged, then it takes roughly 11 hours to fully recharge them (2000/190 = ~11 hours). But if the capacity is lower _or_ they are only partially discharged, then the required charge time is shorter.
NiMH batteries can typically withstand over-charging at 0.1C current (which means 200mA for a 2000mAh cell) without immediate damage. So if you forgot and left your batteries in this charger for an extra day, they are not going to leak or explode. But in the long run, over-charger will lead to reduced capacity and shorter lifespan.
Instead of this primitive Energizer Basic Charger, you should consider a better product such as the Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger. The Sony charger is smarter, faster, and takes better care of your batteries. It will save you time and money in the long run.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Crap Nov 23, 2008
By hex
Indeed, like the others said, there is NO WAY to know when the batteries are fully charged because the green light stays on forever. This is wrong.
I am not even sure if this charger actually stops charging when the batteries are full. If not, this means it is a serious hazard.
See all 26 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
