Categorized | Announcements & News

ReZap alkaline battery charger provides 10 tries at explosion or leakage

Posted on 28 August 2008 by


rezap battery charger.jpg

Stupid me -
I always pay attention to the warnings on Alkaline batteries that clearly state – Caution: Do not connect improperly charge or dispose of in fire. Battery may explode or leak”Apparenly Hammacher Schlemmer, whose latest catalog features an alkaline battery recharger, has decided it’s ok to recharge old alkalines despite manufacturers warnings about explosion or leakage.

battery charge.jpg

The company’s recent email promotion featuring their ReZap Battery Charger states:

This is the only battery charger that can revitalize standard alkaline batteries up to 10 times verified after rigorous testing by the Hammacher Institute–enabling you to re-deploy previously useless alkaline AAAA, AAA, AA, C, N, D, 6- and 9-volt batteries.

Step right up and take your chances on an electrical fire – only $69. Hehe – yeah right. The Hammacher Institute.

ReZap – battery charger

This post was written by:

- who has written 2131 posts on Gear Diary.

Wayne is a diehard Blackberry user and consultant specializing in Sage MAS90 Accounting Software. He lives in Glastonbury CT with his two children. When not helping them with their homework or pushing the latest school fundraiser off on his co-workers, he is active hiking, Scuba Diving and investigating all manner of technology.

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  • mchinsky

    If you recharge an alkaline in a “dumb” charger, yes it’s dangerous, but like Lithium Ion, if it’s monitored electronically, it can be done.

  • http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz

    …the “Hammacher Institute” certification is what convinced that this thing would be safe…

  • stevew

    While that certification is clearly extremely reputable, and the Hammacher Instute would never have any vested interest in a product, I would suggest http://the-gadgeteer.com/review/battery_xtender_alkaline_battery_recharger as an interesting review of such a device from 3 years ago.

    Apparently if you’re tender with them, the alkaline chemistry is reasonably reversable. I was a bit surprised.

  • http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett

    Heh! I wrote that review for The Gadgeteer, and I used that charger for years and never had a problem. Sorry I missed this discussion (been at the ranch all day), and thanks for bringing up an old review I had written, stevew. :lol:

  • http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz

    Gotta love the most recent comments in the original story…

  • g4qber

    interesting that the picture is one of charging Duracells.

    according to:
    http://users.tpg.com.au/users/p8king/rezap.htm
    Duracells leak.

    have tried charging Energizer alkalines, seem OK.
    will be trying Dorcy & Chevron alkalines soon.

  • rowg

    I purchased an alkaline battery charger from hammacher back in 2001 & it’s worked GREAT up until about a week ago when it just stopped working.
    If a battery was not rechargeable the machine would whine & I would discard the battery.
    It had options to recharge NiCd batteries but I rarely used this feature.
    I would totally endorse hammacher’s product as it has worked fine for me & I’ve ordered this new one just now to replace my old one.
    I expect it will work as well or better given that it’s about 8 years later & likely the technology has improved. I’ll report on it once I’ve had more experience with it.