NiMh aa's...

I have amassed a considerable stock of Maplin Electronics brand 2400 mAh AA's which I recharge using a Maplin Electronics 30 minute Ultra Fast MiMh charger ( http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=45798#specifi ), a rebranded Vanson product ( http://www.vanson.com.hk/cgi-bin/ngen_deta...=&LOOP=PROD )

Each charging channel (1-4) displays a red LED when charging, a green LED when done and a red / green flashing LED if a a 'battery fault' is detected. I always immediately replace any battery which displays a 'fault'. I also keep the batteries in numbered sets of four which I try to use in rotation and diligently recharge immediately after use.

Maplin market a range of battery testers ( http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=84174 ) and I have the first of these. The price of £3.49 does not inspire me with confidence and if used to test 'faulty' batteries (determined by the charger), they check OK...

The criteria which the charger or tester use for determining a 'fault' is not clear and I wonder if anyone has identified a more specific method or equipment (available in the UK?) for periodically checking the condition of MiMh AA's?

Thanks, Tim

I use a ULCS pulse load battery tester:

http://www.ulcs.com/news.html (scroll down towards the end of the page to see the info on the battery tester)

http://reefphoto.com/index.php?main_page=p...products_id=528

I check the batteries immediately after they're charged and when I pull them out of the strobe for replacement. Any battery that does not reach the same charge as the others in a set after charging or is discharged significantly more than the others in a set after use are suspect and disposed of.

Thanks for the heads up Gudge,

It seems as though ( http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/CJ0180/ ) is a rebranded ZTS Mini-MBT. I'll give one a try!

Tim

Hi Tim,

I have one of the ZTS testers and cannot speak to highly of it!

Picks up dud batteries every time!

I got mine from eBay!

All the best

Adam

Thanks Adam. Its good to hear your endorsement of the ZTS.

I couldn't see a ZTS on ebay nor could I 'google' one up from a UK retailer so I've gone with the Calumet 'clone'. The spec, size and graphics of the Calumet are identical to the ZTS so I'm reasonably sure its a rebanded ZTS. At less than a tenner it has to be a bargain...

The Calumet Tester arrived yesterday (great service from Calumet!) and I can confirm the Calumet is a rebranded ZTS Mini-MBT ( http://www.ztsinc.com/minimbt.html ) as both have the same US patent number and share identical instructions and specifications.

It looks like a great piece of kit and I've been able to identify one dud battery which the charger ignored.

Thanks for the tip chaps. Tim