> Note that they specifically say that the C/300 current is to
> compensate for the internal self-discharge current. IOW, it's
> _not_ for charging a discharged battery, but for keeping an
> already-charged battery topped up.

Yes, "trickle charge"  is almost always used in the context of
compensating for self discharge and maintaining an already charged
battery.

But, as I noted, most reputable manufacturers no longer suggest that
trickle charging is an acceptable way of doing this, regardless of the
magnitude of the charge. There are comments, never (that I've seen)
backed up with any detail, that such trickle charging damages the
battery even at very low rates. The preferred method is usually to
charge at low rate for a finite period and to then hold the battery
uncharged and monitor the open circuit voltage and to give it
successive bursts of low level charge each time the terminal voltage
falls below a certain level.

I'm NOT saying that Duracell are not reputable(and I consider that
they SHOULD be as aware as most of what can and should be done) but
that their advice runs contrary to that of almost all other
"reputable" manufacturers.



     Russell McMahon
--=20
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