Wednesday, December 26, 2012

How to recharge ordinary AA alkaline batteries.

Don't throw away your used batteries! The alkaline ones.
First off, a disclaimer: I am NOT responsible for anything you do.

(You don't do everything someone tells you to do, right? If you do then SEND ME MONEY! lol)

Okay, back to what I'm teaching you. Your kid's toys have batteries. Your digital camera has batteries. Your computer's mouse may even use them.

And they chew through batteries.. I'm here telling you that you don't have to toss them. Yet.

Seriously. They can be recharged multiple times.

Here is how to do it:
  1. Get a good battery charger that can charge one single battery at a time.
    FYI, you don't have to charge just a single AA battery at a time, just make sure the charger is capable of it. Some cheaper charging units only charge batteries in pairs of two.. they might work for recharging AA or AAA batteries, but they suck..
  2. Get an extension cord so you can put the charger somewhere safe: away from walls, people, pets, carpets, curtains, etc. If the battery leaks or even catches fire, you want it to happen somewhere safe. Like outside on the sidewalk. Away from burning bushes. :/
  3. (If you want) put something under the charger to catch the 'juice' that some batteries may leak.
  4. Angle or even turn upside the charger so battery juices can leak out of it, and not sit inside the unit itself. (I use ceramic or plastic bowls.)
    *At the moment, you may be thinking I don't want batteries leaking all over the place?! Only about half of the AA alkaline batteries that I've recharged have started leaking after they pop (a built-in safety feature of modern batteries, btw). But those ones also have the best voltage after they've leaked! (I have no idea why..). Wipe off the juice and let the battery 'dry'. My belief is these are overcharged.
  5. Put the batteries in the charger.
  6. Set the charger to the slowest rate possible. (If your unit has that option.)
  7. Plug in the charger.
  8. Start the charger. (If your unit has that option.)
  9. Monitor the batteries. Look for leaks, heat, bulging,etc..
    I have not thoroughly tested the charging of AA alkaline batteries, but a good 4 hours always seems to be plenty with this charger.
  10. Save money !
*Disclaimer: This method does not work well if you burn your house down. Results may vary.

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