New NiMH Charger Juices Up Batteries in Just 15 Minutes
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN 
on 11. 3.06
Toss-out batteries seem like one of the more archaic ideas I can think of, and even recycling disposable batteries is pretty cumbersome. Though they've been around for a while, as battery technology steps up, rechargeables will become the norm. Even with mandatory take-back programs like the one starting in the EU, won’t it just make more sense to recharge instead? A Chinese maker, GP Batteries, has just released a new line of chargers for their nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries that juices them up in just 15 minutes. The Powerbank V800C can charge AA or AAAs and has a digital timer that shows charge time. According to CNET, the new charger goes for $47.65. (More rechargeable battery knowledge can be absorbed at the Green Batteries site as well) :: GP Batteries via CNET via Hugg (Linton)
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Rayovac came out with a system that does this 3 years ago. I got one then and it has worked flawlessly. It charges two AAs or two AAAs and the charger only cost $25. They have a 4 cell charger too, which looks like it goes for about $45 now.
Unfortunately when I went to Radioshack to get some more I was told that they are being taken off of the market. Maybe they didn't generate enough marketing buzz to get the word out. Hopefully GP has more luck.
Battery switching is an essential concept.
Fast charging is one thing but the combination of solar and a dynamo with a set of rechargeable batteries makes low voltage DC power production possible anywhere as long as the sun shines, someone can turn a crank, and the batteries hold a charge.
I like to add to the comment from Peter about the Rayovac 15 minutes charger. I have read about in Wikipedia and it is said that Rayovac have In Cell Charge Control (IC3).
The charge control consists of a pressure switch built into the cell, which disconnects the charging current when the internal cell pressure rises above a certain limit (usually 200 to 300 psi or 1.4 to 2.1 MPa). This prevents overcharging and damage to the cell.
IC3 is important when rapid charging NiMh due to the nature of the chemicals inside the cell that tends to change to vapour phase when jolted with high amperage.
Seeing this GP 15 minutes charger makes me think, how can it protect the battery without IC3 since IC3 is built in inside the battery itself.
For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_metal_hydride_battery