With powerful, long-lasting Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries now being far more cost-effective and eco-friendly than Alkaline cells, there’s no real reason to use disposable batteries in anything at all, so a bigger, multi-format charger like the Ansmann Energy 16 charger makes a lot of sense. NiMH batteries can be recharged around 1000 times before they cook out, and even if you buy cheap Alkalines in bulk, a pack of 4 AAs will still cost you around £1 a go. Over the life of your £10 NiMH 4-pack, the equivalent cost for disposables is at least £1000, and when you factor in the ecological cost of binning 4000 batteries and consider that you get more power and longer life from NiMH cells, it becomes hard to justify disposables at all.
The Ansmann Energy 16 will charge a vast range of NiCad and/or NiMH batteries, and it also tests, restores and reconditions cells, so your rechargeable batteries are always optimised. It’ll take up to 12 x AA/AAA batteries, 6 x C/D cells, and up to 4 x 9v block cells (the PP3/MN1604 type used in smoke alarms). Even if your camera runs on a Li-ion power pack, chances are you still have a vast array of gadgets that run on AAs or AAAs – from flashguns and radios to torches and kids’ toys – and a charger that can handle up to 16 cells at once is a lot more convenient than having multiple 4-cell chargers taking over all your sockets.
When you pop a battery into the multi-size sprung contacts there’s a quick status check, where the level of charge is revealed by an LED indicator above the bay. Red means under 25% charged, Green means 80%, and Amber is anything in between. After this, the battery is diagnosed and, if necessary, a refreshing program starts, which involves one or more discharge-recharge cycles, and this restores the battery to its maximum potential. Charging is indicated by a continuous red light, fully charged is a solid green and if a cell is too badly damaged, then a red flashing LED will let you know that the battery is beyond repair.
Each one of the 16 charging circuits is separately controlled, so you don’t have to charge in pairs or in fours, and a gentle trickle charge kicks in once the maximum charge is attained, so the batteries can remain in the charger in peak condition until you need to use them.
If you enjoy strobist work with off-camera flashguns or have a number of battery-powered gizmos, then the Energy 16 really is a great buy. £75 may seem like a lot to spend on a charger, but this one treats and optimises as well as charging your batteries, and the convenience of having a single, dedicated charging station can’t be overstated. Superb.
AT A GLANCEBattery type: NiCD or NiMH
Battery size: 12xAA or AAA, 6 x C or D, 4 x PP3
Input: 100-240V
Warranty: 3 years
www.ansmann.co.uk