When rechargeable batteries were first introduced, the technology was unpolished and the applications seemed few and far between. Since that time, this technology has been refined and reinvented to allow application in many useful settings. With rechargeable batteries quickly becoming the norm in many of the devices we use every day, it is only appropriate that we examine some of the different options available for recharging these batteries.



Charging a battery may seem like a simple, necessary task that does not require a lot of explaining. The average person usually gets home, pulls out their cell phone, and plugs it in before going to bed. Or some may use their laptop with the AC adapter connected at all times. In both of these cases, batteries are being recharged. However, these charging practices may be less than ideal. That being said, here are some options available for charging your rechargeable batteries.

For camcorders, many people simply use the AC adapter that came with the camera to charge the battery through the camera itself. What many people do not realize is that external chargers are available for most camcorder batteries. The benefits of these external chargers are numerous. For instance, it is always possible to buy more than one battery so that one can charge on the external charger while the other is being used, ensuring backup power is always available. Also, these chargers are usually able to be used with both a standard wall outlet and a car's cigarette lighter, meaning the battery can be charged on your way to where you will be filming. All of the above information applies to digital camera batteries as well.

Surely, the average cell phone user is quite familiar with two of the most common cell phone chargers: a home (travel) charger and a car charger. These chargers meet the needs of a large majority of cell phone owners. However, these are not the only charging options for these phones. Some phones have optional charging bases that allow the phone to charge while another battery is charged externally and simultaneously. Other desktop chargers serve a double purpose by charging the battery and syncing the cell phone to a computer. Finally, portable "chargers" are becoming more popular for cell phones as they allow the use of common batteries such as AA's to be used to quickly put a charge on the cell phone battery for an emergency call.

Lastly, we can see that, as laptops become more common, affordable, and powerful, the need for adequate power is a huge one. Since many laptop batteries are only able to power the computer for about 3 hours or less, many users find themselves always tethered to a wall somewhere so they can use the laptop on AC power. However, portability is an overwhelming necessity for those who rely on their laptops on photo shoots, business trips, etc. In these cases, it is always an option to purchase a second battery and swap them out when needed. A battery just like the one included with the computer may be the best option if a dual charger is available for your laptop model. These chargers charge one or two batteries externally by plugging into a standard wall outlet. If this type of charger is not available, then an external battery may be appropriate. These batteries charge on their own when connected to a standard wall outlet. Then, the battery may be plugged into the laptop's charger port in order to power the laptop for extended periods of time that the internal battery cannot handle.

With all of these charging options available, no one should ever be left in the dark, disconnected, or cut off in the middle of a project. Keep your devices up and running with one or several of the many charging options available for your device.