"Fast" and "slow" chargers

[edy252]

hi all....

i've been reading my new new digital camera's manual.......they mentioned that a "slow" charger (for the rechargable li-ion batteries) would be a better choice than a "fast" charger.....

what are they referring to when they say "fast" charger?.....a charger that supplies high voltage for the batteries and thus charges it quickly but damages it?

does that mean that if we want to build a "good" charger (220v ac input - dc output) for a 12v battery, it should have an output voltage close to 12v?

thx in advance....

[ghurd]

Slow chargers take 6-24 hours.

Fast chargers take 1-4 hours.

Fast means they pump in more current to 'fill it up' faster. The batteries don't like it much. It will severly shorten the battery life. The extreme current causes heat that 'boils out' some of the chemicals that make them work.

Don't get a charger that has a 'discharge mode' or other nonsense.

Get one that takes 10 hours. And hopefully one that can be left charging indefinatly (these should have some sort of regulation to prevent overcharge).

G-