Customer Reviews

Overnight Nimh Family Battery Charger

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Energizer Overnight Family Battery Charger (CHFCV) looks very similar to the Rayovac Universal Battery Charger (PS3). Both are capable of charging AAA, AA, C, D-cells and 9V batteries. They are physically about the same size, and even cost about the same. So one would expect the charger with a more famous brand (Energizer) to have a better design, right? WRONG!

The biggest problem with the Energizer CHFCV is that it is a timer-based dumb charger. That means this charger does not detect whether your batteries are empty or fully. It simply charges them at a fixed current (200mA) for a fixed time (16.5 hours) and then turns off. If all you ever need is to recharge AA cells with capacity 2500-2700mAh, then this is not too bad (because 200mA*16.5h = 3300mAh). However, this charger treats all different battery sizes (AA/AAA/C/D) the same way. So if you are charging a pair of 800mAh AAA cells, you better remember to remove them after 4-5 hours, otherwise they will be over-charged by 300%! On the other hand, if you try to use this charger with larger capacity cells (such as a pair of 10,000mAh D-cells), the timer will expire long before the cells are fully charged.

Another problem with this dumb charger is: it can only recharge identical cells in pairs. This is very inconvenient if you have appliances that require odd number (1 or 3) of cells. Now you are left with an empty cell that you cannot recharge. If you try to pair up an empty cell with a full cell in this charger, the latter one will be badly over-charged.

In comparison, the Rayovac PS3 is vastly superior in every aspect. It is a smart charger with 4 independently monitored channels. Charging stops as soon as each cell is full, so there is no danger of over-charging. It is more versatile in that it can detect different battery chemistry (NiCd, NiMH, or alkaline) and adopts different charging methods. It also recharges faster because it uses higher current (up to 480mA).

Energizer also makes a newer version called Energizer Family Charger (CHFC) for slightly higher price. It is a big improvement over this overnight charger (CHFCV). However, I still prefer the Rayovac PS3 because it has the added capability to recharge ordinary alkaline cells.

this unit would be perfect except for two gripes.

1) when you take charged batteries out and put in ones to be charged, you have to unplug the whole unit then plug it back in for the charging led's to start. maybe the unit does charge but the led's won't light unless you unplug/plug.

2) plastic cover is great for keeping out dust, but i find it a pain to have to keep opening/closing the unit. Also, some batteries get really warm when charging and i'm worried that keeping the top closed may get it really hot (and reduce charging life of the batteries).

ok. one last gripe.

3) getting D cells out of this unit is like an act of God. They stick in there really tightly and require turning the unit upside down and smacking the bottom to get them out.

but it does a great job of charging (and not overcharging to my knowledge) so for the inexpensive price, i'm not going to complain.

It would've gotten a 5 except for the small problems mentioned above...

I mainly purchased this to charge the 9-volt batteries available. None of the info online indicated what the charging times were, and it turns out it takes 10-13 hours to charge these little batteries! The other types do charge faster, but still require at least several hours.
If you don't need 9-volt batteries it is definitely worth getting the quick chargers - I have a 15-minute version for AA & AAA batteries that works wonderfully. I would buy this charger for C, D, and 9-Volt recharge capability, just know they will take a long time.

Ok, I've had this charger for about a year; I picked it up at Wally World for $20 and had little alternatives at the time... One main reason I got it was due to it supporting a vast array of batteries, which no doubt everyone will find useful...

The pack I bought said nothing about "overnight charging", evidently they updated it due to users whining... The charge times are long, so of coarse you can take a nap, or three, while waiting for your batteries to charge...

As others have stated, you must unplug the device when inserting new batteries... Evidently the thought of an on/off switch evaded the R&D team over at Energizer...

There are a few changes I'd make:
1. Green Done light vs "off" red light.
2. This plastic door seems to be a waste of space, not to mention a heat desperation problem; you should at least drill several holes in it to allow for some (small) amount of cooling... Maybe even add in a tiny fan?
3. On/Off Switch or some sort of intelligent indicator which senses a battery is dead and needs charged... If one neglects to do the "unplug" procedure and goes away for the 16.5 hours required to charge a "high capacity" AA battery, you've wasted a complete day (and then some) waiting to charge two batteries lol...

It's a wonderful unit for those who don't mind waiting (and want all the bells and whistles), however, I would definitely recommend a quick charger for those who don't have a ton of spare rechargeables (unliek me, I have a good 10 spares floating around the house)

If you are buying this charger for D-cell applications, especially: The original reason for a large D sized battery was for high demand applications needing higher capacity. 2500 mAh (AA-cell) capacities encased into a D-cell rechargeable negates the original reason for a D-cell in the first place. Do yourselves a big favor and pass on any "dumb" type charger, which is low current, and a timer only based charger. Also pass on the 2500 mAh D sized batteries that go along with them. They are nothing but AA equivalents inside a plastic shell. Look for a fast charger, which is "smart" with delta-V cutoff (charge based cutoff), and use 10,000 mAh D sized batteries to go with it. It will cost you a little more, especially the batteries, but it is well worth it! To charge a high capacity 10,000 mAh battery you need more charger that can deliver more current so that it does not take days to charge, and/or stop charging based on time for a low cap battery. Incidentally, regular alkaline D-cells are about 12,000 mAh, so if you think the 2,500 mAh cheapo (low capacity) batteries are going to give similar results in your device to alkalines, forget it. However, the high cap (10,000 mAh or greater) D-cells will give you similar if not better run times. Finally, this charger and other "dumb" type chargers WILL NOT charge odd numbers of batteries. You are forced to charge only in pairs. So if you have a device that does not use an even number of cells, you may have to keep an extra charged cell to use with a discharged one to charge that single cell, which will result in a constant overcharging of the "dummy" cell. Either that, or you have to have enough cells on hand to rotate them around. Real pain. This odd number problem will cause the same rotation dilema for AAA, AA, C, and Ds. Note: (Rayovac's P-93 will not fully charge 10,000 mAh D-cells).

I purchased the NIMH charger to accommodate the need for 9v rechargables and have been completely satisfied with the unit to date. Able to charge all of the "standard" battery types, from AAA to 9v, the unit works flawlessly. It is definitely not for the impatient as it lives up to its Overnight name when charging batteries of any type. The fastest charges are on the smaller, lighter volt batteries, but if speed isn't an issue, this charger works excellent and should satisfy my rechargeable needs for years to come.

The item recharges batteries really slow. Not kinda slow. I mean 17 plus hours slow. Any battery. Also. You must... Must have a pair of batteries to charge. It will not charge single cells Example one Double A or Triple A batteries. It will Do C's and D's in a single set. However It takes. Well It feels like this item takes a lifetime to do a simple task. I've ended up replacing this charger with a newer updated Digital Family Charger that takes three hours maximum to charge D Cell batteries. I have basically retired this Pile of wasted plastic and wire to the back of the closet. Another thing that bothered me with this device. The cord isn't detachable. So. Transporting can be a pain. Not to mention if something where to happen to the cord. There is no way of just simply replacing it with another one. Lets say if the cat or dog got a hold of it and thought it was a good idea to chew on the cord? trust me. I had it happen. I feel it won't be the last time.. (Looks at the dog) Anyways. Do I recommend this product to anyone? Yeah I recommend this product to a person that has the will of steel to even consider using this. If you need a set of batteries for lets say a vacation. haha. You might as well just forget it and buy disposable alkaline batteries. Now I do however recommend Energizer recalling this item, Melting it down and using the recycled material to go towards something worth spending money on. Oh yeah. Did I mention this has nice shiny exposed Metal Connections. Oh yeah. They say. Put the batteries in first before you plug it in. They aren't kidding. sweaty hands or damp hands by some odd means. yeah You will light up your day. I recommend the newer models. They have a door mechanism that will move the charging points to the batteries as you shut the lid. Thus removing the need to having to pull back these spring loaded prongs. With a possible zap included. I would say go ahead for 10 Dollars more. Get the new and improved device http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-CHFC-Family-Battery-Charger/dp/B000P6L99A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239524769&sr=1-5 copy and paste. save yourself. I recommend this one.

If you have children this item is a MUST. My daughter is now almost a year old and 80% of her toys have batteries. This one was perfect because it charged "D" batteries for her swing and bouncer seat when she was an infant but it also charges all the "AA", "AAA" and even "9V" that are required for almost every gift she receives.
It also handles batteries for my Husbands toys, which include remote controlled vehicles, handheld games and cameras.

Only for Nimh batteries. AA, AAA, C, D & 9volt. WOOHOO! I can finally recharge ALL my batteries with ONE recharger!! While it's charging, the 2 red lights are on, when it's done, they turn off. The batteries pop in & out easily. When you put them in you need to pull the movable bottom down & place the bottom of the battery(-)in first, making sure that the top(+)is right on the strip, it's very easy. I've had some smaller chargers that I've had to bang on my hand to get the batteries out. But not this one!
I think I'll need to get another one of these because it can only do 4 at a time. You can charge 2 or 4 of the same type at a time, you need 2 to complete the circuit, or 2 AA & 2 AAA or 2 C & 2 D at the same time. 9 volts should be done alone. It takes longer for larger batteries, but I don't mind the wait. If you're in a hurry you can use a 15 minute recharger but you won't have a fully recharged battery, which will then lose power more quickly. The more often a battery isn't completely charged, the shorter the life it will have.
This is a lightweight piece. Since it charges slowly over many hours it will not get hot, like the quick chargers do, so it's safe to set on any surface (obviously not next to water).
The clear cover keeps out dust & dirt but not little hands so put it up where the rugrats can't get it or the cord, again obvious, but some people need reminding ;P
A great piece worth the price & I'm buying another!

This holds up to 8 AA or AAA batteries (plus up to 2 9V batteries), the thing is, it doesn't charge any more than 4 at once! You get the same charging ability as you get when you guy a 4 of 8 pack of batteries that come with a free charger (I had two already). I had no idea my money wasn't going toward a mass multi-charger. Totally feel bummed about this purchase.