Charging batteries inside an appliance.

Hi

I have an interesting idea below which may help you or other people and I am wondering if you know anything about it

In some items such as digital cameras and MP3 recorders the batteries can be hard and time consuming to remove from their case so that they can be recharged or replaced. I thought of an easier way to save doing this and I am wondering how safe it would be to do. I am thinking of using rechargeable batteries that are a slightly lower voltage than the non rechargeable, and then slowly charging them when they are in the case of the digital camera or MP3 recorder. I could do this by having two wires going into the battery case so that they are attached to the correct ends of the batteries to charge them. On the other end of the wires would be a small plug that would plug into wires that attach to a battery charger. I would not use the appliances while they are being charged.

I do have some battery chargers for small batteries and I could connect the terminals on the batteries to the charger like described above. However, if these charges charge too quickly I may have to get another charger that does it more slowly. I think my chargers may take about 15 hours to fully charge from a flat battery. However, I could get another charger that takes about 24 hours if a slower rate is needed.

I heard batteries can get hot if they are charged too quickly so I am wondering what a safe time would be?

Also I am wondering what a safe voltage would be to charge batteries of appliances while they are inside the case and if there is much chance a trickle charge battery charger could damage them?

Your help will be appreciated. Regards Richard.

Reply to
richardghole
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I modified a tape player to charge nicad cells inside it, I used a slow charge rate, most devices will accept the slightlly lower voltage from the rechargable cells, and while giving a slow charge the voltage doesn'g go above 1.5V per cell.

constant trickle isn't real good for nicads,

ten hours or longer should be fine.

Not much chance of damaging the appliance. constant trickle isn't reccomended for some types of rechargable battery.

Bye. Jasen

Reply to
Jasen Betts

Hi

Thanks for your letters.

So would an ordinary battery charger do that charges AA batteries in over 10 hours?

If the charger only does AA batteries would it also be suitable for AAA type by extending the wires into the appliance as I explained on my last letter?

If I connected a timer to switch the charger off for a few hours each day would that be ok to prevent the problem of a constant trickle charge?

Currently I have Nickel Cadmium chargers. Would Nickel Cadmium batteries be as good as any for the purpose?

Your help is appreciated, Regards Richard.

Reply to
richardghole

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