refresh or charge batteries?

[KIPAX]

I always just stick my mkII batteries in and use the charger as set.. wait for red lights to flash..

however if you use the refresh button with the orange lights.. what does that do?

 

[Agger]

What it does is empty the charge and equalize the cells, this gets rid of memory effect in Ni Cad batteries Ni Mh do not suffer from memory effect or at least so they say HTH

 

[Gary Coyle]

i refresh mine every 3 month or so, if all you do is recharge them then over time they become less effective

 

[KIPAX]

Mine ran out a bit quick.. so for the first time ever I ahve put them both on refresh ... cant do any harm then Just wanted to check that refresh wasnt less effective than recharge.

Thanks

 

[Gary Coyle]

Kipax, just dont expect the process to take under an hour, best done overnight, it all depends on how long it has been since you last refreshed and in your case its never.

My old MK2 used to take anywhere up to 6-8 hours, it has to drain them really slowly and then recharge using a trickle charge.

Was once told it was always best to refresh a fully charged battery and not a flat or near flat one as most of the benefit is done during the slow discharge cycle.

 

[KIPAX]

There in now mate... nothing on until,weekend as I aint doing night stuff without my mkIII

 

[malla1962]

Refresh mine every 4th charge.

 

[Eisbar]

Refresh mine every 4th charge.

Will that prolong their life then?

 

[malla1962]

It has helped mine for sure as they are getting a full charge rather than a top up.