Alkaline battery charging and Ultimate Lithium battery applications

I have experimented with charging alkaline batteries. It does appear that some commercially available chargers do actually charge the battery. If you follow the practices below, you can save money and reduce the risk to your devices. The main drawbacks to recharging these non-rechargeable batteries is that they will leak. Once they leak, they can ruin the device by corroding the contacts and getting into the component area and permanently destroying the unit. To mitigate this problem, I have created a few rules to follow. You will need a voltmeter to test the battery prior to charging it. A brand new alkaline AA cell will read about 1.60V. The Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA cell will read 1.80V when new, and about 1.5-1.6V when fully discharged. Never charge the Ultimate Lithium battery.

1. Do not charge an alkaline battery with a voltage less than 1.40V. To be safer, use 1.45V as the limit.
2. Only charge high quality brand name batteries, such as Duracell or Energizer brands.
3. After charging, place the batteries in a plastic container for at least one week prior to using them. If they leak, discard them.
4. Never use recharged batteries in devices that you do not regularly use. I recommend using Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells in these devices.
5. Never charge an Alkaline battery more than once. Write the date of charge with a marker on the cell right after charging.
6. Try different Alkaline Battery chargers until you find one that works well.

The charger I found to be excellent is the Remington NuPower, model number BR-1BP. It is older and may be hard to find. It will allow you to charge AA and AAA batteries. You can charge C and D cells if you make an AA adapter. This is basically made from an old AA battery that you wire to a C or D cell holder.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium comments:

1. Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells (AA size) are great for cold applications. Such as camera's that you want to work when it is snowing or very cold outside. Alkaline batteries perform poorly at cold temperatures.
2. After Energizer Ultimate cells no longer work in a camera(or other high drain device), you can use them in remotes for a long time. The remotes use very little power and I have never seen an Ultimate cell leak.
3. Never attempt to charge the Ultimate Lithium battery. It will get hot and possibly explode.