Battery Chargers

Discover our selection of battery chargers at Cromwell online. We stock high-quality chargers for a range of battery sizes, such as AA and AAA batteries. Choose from multi-chargers, base chargers and universal battery chargers from leading brands, like Energizer®, Duracell® and Lloytron®.

What are battery chargers?

A battery charger is an electrical device used in conjunction with NiMH rechargeable batteries. It features several slots which hold batteries while their charge is replaced by mains energy. This is a cost-effective and sustainable way of using batteries and can reduce the disposal of single-use batteries by the thousands.

When are battery chargers used?

Battery chargers are used when a set of rechargeable batteries need their energy restored.

Considerations when choosing a battery charger

• Type - you have a choice between three types of battery chargers. Trickle chargers will slowly charge batteries over a set period of time before turning them off. These prevent over and undercharging but are slow. Smart chargers monitor the battery voltage to stop overcharging, while constant battery chargers push a consistent charge through batteries and only stop when you turn them off, which could lead to cell damage.

• Speed - choose between a standard charger or a super-speed charger depending on your requirements. However, be aware that high-capacity batteries will take longer to charge in general, so you may not get the speed you anticipate if you don't bear this in mind.

• Size - some chargers accept multiple-sized batteries, while others only charge a single size. Think about the kind of batteries you use most frequently and go from there.

• Features - some chargers have features that really come in handy, like a charge indicator light or charge tester.

Battery charger jargon buster

To make sure you know what to look for when buying a battery charger, we've outlined an applicable safety standard.

What does BS EN IEC 60335-2-29:2021+A1:2021 mean?

This multi-part safety standard covers 'Household and similar electrical appliances' and outlines the safety requirements for these domestically used appliances. This includes the maximum voltage, internal wiring requirements and their resistance to heat and fire.

Let's break it down...

• BS - The British Standards Institute produces and monitors British legislation.

• EN - The European Norm acronym highlights that this safety standard has been adopted into European legislation.

• IEC - This is the acronym for The International Electrotechnical Commission, which is an independent body based in Geneva which produces standards on all electrical technology.

• 60335 - This is the standard's identifying number.

• -2-29:2021 - This is the section in the multi-part standard that is for battery chargers only, with the year that this standard came into effect.

• A1 - This highlights an amendment added to this section of the standard.

• 2021 - The amendment above came into effect in this year.

FAQs

Do I need to buy the same brand charger as my rechargeable batteries?

The only thing you need to check is that the sizing is compatible with the batteries you use. There are lots of battery chargers on the market, with some 'universal' types. However, as long as a charger will hold NiMH batteries in AAA or AA etc, you can recharge Energizer® batteries in a compatible Duracell® charger.

Do I need to fully discharge my NiMH rechargeable batteries before recharging them?

It's a general rule of thumb that rechargeables should be run until they're almost flat, say about 75% empty. Repeatedly running a NiMH battery until flat can corrode the electrodes and lead to leakage and a shortened service life.