Am I overcharging 4.8v nimh?

[nordoe]

I am sort of new to the 4.8 nimh battery's, the 600mah green ones. The charger I have is a small single charger, they sell them on a lot of reputable sites, but it is flimsy. They tell you that the light may turn green premature and to leave them on for like 5 hours, which I do. When I take it off it measures at 5.5 to 5.8 on my multimeter. I know that newly charged batteries will be over, but that seems like a lot. Does anyone have any good input?

 

[bobthesalesclerk]

I remember reading somewhere that the Max voltage on those is around 5.8 then they drop quickly.

I could be wrong though.

sent from my Ice Cream Sandwiched Gtablet

 

[nordoe]

That's why I was asking, hoping that is the reason.

 

[kazz63758]

That is the reading I get on the 4.8 batteries as well. Been using them since November without problems.

 

[VapourMonkey]

Yes i got similar readings using the green nimh 600mah batteries in a silver bullet.
There is a better charger available for them, i got one from ivapour here in the uk but i'm sure you can get one more local to you

 

[kazz63758]

Yeah, the newer 2 bay charger seems to be better--it at least turns green when the batteries are done. Here is the one I use:

New 5v Dual Charger - Only for 4.8v Mod Battery

 

[nordoe]

I was looking at getting the dual charger just for the reason of being able to charge two at a time, but if you guys are saying it is better quality, now I really want one.

 

[kazz63758]

Well, I don't know that it charges any better/faster, but it is a bit more sturdy and the lights do turn green when it is finished.

 

[VapourMonkey]

Same here, no empirical facts but it feels safer than those inline things, charges consistently and the green light is a must.

 

[WillyB]

I doubt if that $15 charger is any better, except for it having two channels. If it was they would have listed a few things.

Terms like 'Intelligent' or 'Smart' charger along with:

Automatically cut-off by negative delta V when battery pack is fully charge.

Most of the NiMH chargers folks use around the house are dumb chargers, they just cook the cell for a predetermined time then fall into a ~50mA trickle charge. Unlike Li-Ions the NiMHs can handle and dissipate the trickle charge.

The Energizer CHDC-CA I've used for years works like that.