http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/CH15MN.pdf

Ok here's the deal on that charger:

- the 15 min time is only for when you use the special batteries that came with it
- These special batteries have a low internal resistance to allow super-fast charging. As a trade-off, you also get faster-than-normal "self discharge" rates. This is the rate that the battery will lose charge on its own, even when not powering a device.
- the insanely-fast charging is done by using higher charge voltages than most chargers. This stresses the batteries more and can lead to premature failure. Most likely the flashing lights are due to bad batteries.
- This rapid charging also causes the batteries to get hotter than normal chargers, which also shortens the cell life. The temps get even higher if you charge batteries that are already mostly-charged.

In short, this may charge some batteries in 15 mins but there's a price to pay. You're going to be buying new replacement rechargables that have to be Energizer batteries far more-often than you would otherwise. How convenient for Energizer, hmm? No wonder they put this sketchy product on the market.

Well you're not pointing anything I myself wasn't already aware of here. The thing has a fan built into it to help cool the batteries. I knew going into it what the trade offs would be but I am curious how much of a difference it makes, if the batteries can withstand the stresses better than others. Without some testing, you won't ever know. In the end, I can charge quickly and use fewer batteries.

Fewer batteries compared to what?

Fewer batteries than buying alkaline? Certainly.

Fewer batteries (and less money in the long run) than if you bought a better charger/batteries? Probably not.

Other people have done that testing. Check on Google.

My theory is: unless you chew through your batteries faster than an hour and need that 15-min charge time, you save far more money getting a good charger that doesn't prematurely kill your NiMHs. The Energizer charger is simply the "inkjet" of the battery world: sell the user a product that seems cheap in the beginning, but design it in a way that forces them to constantly buy consumables at a rapid rate, faster than they really should.

I bought a charger and a bunch of AA and AAA batteries several years ago, and I'm still using the same batteries today.

inkjet of the battery world. That is a good analogy.

Oh, Linux > BSD....I heard BSD was dying, netcraft confirms it.

just get eneloop with a good charger

Whoa, those are cheap batteries. Thanks for the link.