AC Charger Options

[sveris]

I have a few choices fwhen it comes to AC chargers for my V3s. Which output specs are better for the battery: the OEM 5 V 550 mA or the 4.5 V - 9.5 V Max 800 mA aftermarket charger? IIRC, the original OEM battery and the improved BR50 are 3.6 and 3.7 V and both exceed the 500 mA rating. So, which one is better?

[Darkstar]

Well the question is how fast you want to recharge your battery. The charger should be about twice the voltage of the battery its going to charge, a 5 volt charger will get the job done but take longer then a 6.6 or 7 volt charger. Charging current is another factor in the speed of a charge, 500 ma is slower then 800.

A charger with specs like 4.5 volts to 9.5 volts is likely unregulated, thats a 5 volt difference, and unless its speced at loaded and unloaded, trickle charge or full charge its not a charger you want. Even then 4.5 volts is a high trickle charge volatge, but thats typical for a cheap non Oem.

The higher the voltage (in the 5 to 7 volt range) and MA rating the faster the battery will charge, but you get a heat increase while charging that shortens the battery life. Unless speeds an issue the OEM charger will give you longer battery life.

[sveris]

That's exactly the info I needed - thanks.