Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[Colin Bishop]

The new "Hybrio" or "Instant" cells which come fully charged and are supposed to hold their charge for extended periods are becoming quite popular, particularly in TX/RX applications and in digital cameras.

I have assumed that they can be charged in the same way as standard NiMH cells but I have got the impression that standard automatic plugin chargers don't seem to shut off in the same way as they do for standard NiMH cells. Does anyone else have any practical experience of these cells?

[DickyD]

Instructions from the Component Shop.com

Vapex “Instant” batteries utilise a new technology which solves these problems.
The batteries are supplied charged, so just use them straight after purchase
The batteries discharge at a much slower rate than conventional NiMH batteries, so even a year after being charged there is still most of the initial charge available. So you get all the benefits of traditional NiMH rechargeable batteries, without the drawbacks - and you can still use a standard NiMH charger to charge them up again (maximum charge current 2000mA)

[Colin Bishop]

Yes, I've read that too Richard. it's just that the cells seem to sit in the charger indefinitely while becoming warm to the touch. Eventually I just take them off and use them as normal.

[DickyD]

I've got them in my cordless phones which I believe trickle charge. My ordinary NiMH in my Rxs and Txs are still OK.

[Colin Bishop]

That's a thought, I have some cordless headphones. must try them in those.

[Stavros]

Bought 2 sets from component shop charge them up as usual in charger all lights go out on charger no probs,seem to last longer in camera than ordinary metal hydrides.went tonight to a set charged 8 weeks ago no probs checked some Sony ones charged same weekend only 25% charge.Have used the Sony's with no probs in the past,I deliberately compared the 2 just as a matter of interest,was going to leave till after Xmas but having seen this thread had to check tonight

Stavros

[Colin Bishop]

Maybe it's the charger I'm using then.

[Martin (Admin)]

Might be Colin! I have a really clever AA charger (La-Crosse-BC-900) but it's so clever it won't charge deep discharged cells so I bought a simple charger for stuburn batteries and even that has a 6 hour safety shutdown.

[Colin Bishop]

Looks like the charger does work after all. I left the batteries on charge when I went to bed (quite warm - batteries, not me!), woke up in the middle of the night and remembered them. Crept downstairs, charging light out, batteries cold. Put them back in the camera this morning and they seem to work OK.