Chargers and NiMh Batteries

[jak_22]

I've done a search and have found conflicting answers to this question...

Can an NTN1177C gang charger or an NTN1171A be used to charge NiMh batteries?

I purchased an aftermarket NiMh battery and charged it in the gang charger and when I checked it about 6 hours later it had leaked from the bottom and developed a small bubble near the bottom of the label. The battery is being replaced under warranty but I want to make sure the chargers can charge these before I cook the new one.

Thanks.

[Tom in D.C.]

I would say that many of us around this Board charge NiMH
batteries in our standard NiCD chargers all the time without
any problem. I would hazard a guess that your battery was
actually bad. An automatic charger should have its charge rate
reduced at some point in the charging cycle, either by sensing
a critical temperature of the battery or by measuring the
internal resistance (voltage) of the battery. The ability to cut
the charge rate by some means of sensing is what makes a
charger automatic and not manual where you must
remove the battery manually from the charger lest you cook it.
There are some additional exotic things which take place in
some chargers these days but the above is an explanation of
the basics.

[jak_22]

Thanks for the info. Can anyone else with experience specifically with these chargers confirm that they should be ok??

Thanks.