EBL 12 Bay LCD Universal Battery Charger for Rechargeable AA AAA 9V NIMH NICD Batteries

▓▒░ BATTERY APOCALYPSE COMMAND CENTER ░▒▓As a wedding photographer burning through 40-50 batteries during back-to-back events, these EBL 12-bay chargers transformed my post-wedding workflow from "days of sequential charging" to "everything recharged overnight." After five years of heavy use, they've proven themselves as reliable workhorses for photographers with serious battery dependencies (we're basically battery junkies in recovery, thanks to these interventions).## ► DAILY USEThis battery beast handles 10 AA/AAA batteries plus 2 9V simultaneously, making it the freight train of battery chargers compared to the cute 4-bay passenger cars most people use. The blue LCD display gives you individual progress indicators for each battery position - no more cryptic blinking lights leaving you wondering if your batteries are contemplating the meaning of life or actually charging.Each battery gets its own charging circuit, meaning no more waiting for an entire set to finish because one stubborn battery is taking forever. You can mix and match different batteries and they'll charge independently at their own pace - it's battery democracy at its finest. They all vote for themselves and nobody has to wait for the slowpokes.When you've got four of these monsters running simultaneously (spread across different rooms to avoid tripping breakers), you can recharge a small battalion of batteries while you sleep. For wedding photographers, this means never having to tell a bride "hold that pose while I swap batteries" during crucial moments. Though it does mean explaining to houseguests why there's a battery charger next to the toilet. ("It's for the... bathroom nightlight. Very power hungry.")## ■ TECHNICAL DETAILSThese workhorses handle primarily NiMH rechargeable batteries (like Eneloops) with no complaints. The individual charging management means you don't have to worry about one battery overcharging compared to the next, and you can mix different battery types without issues.Drawing 100-120V at 60Hz/.35A, these aren't power hogs individually (mathematically, you could run about 25 of these safely on a standard 10 amp circuit). However, I've found that when running multiple chargers on the same circuit simultaneously, they sometimes charge more slowly. Even though the electrical math suggests it shouldn't be an issue, in real-world usage I've occasionally woken up to half-charged batteries when I needed them fully juiced, so I still spread them across different rooms as a precaution.At around $30 per unit, they're an excellent investment considering the capacity and reliability. Mine have endured approximately five years of heavy use with zero failures - hard to argue with that kind of dependability. If only my relationships lasted this long.One quirk worth noting: I haven't determined if they properly charge newer lithium ion AA-format batteries. When inserted, the charger just displays a blinking indicator, as if it's having an existential crisis about whether this strange new battery deserves its electrons or not.## ✓ PROS- Massive 12-bay capacity (10 AA/AAA + 2 9V) for equipment-heavy photographers with battery separation anxiety- Individual charging circuits for each battery position, like a personal butler for every little power cylinder- Clear progress indicators that don't require a cryptography degree to interpret- Reliable performance over years of heavy use, outlasting many of my actual cameras- Handles both AA/AAA and 9V batteries (though I've never actually met anyone who uses rechargeable 9V batteries - they're like unicorns)- No need to charge batteries in matching pairs or sets- Blue display is easy to read in any lighting condition, including pitch darkness when you're stumbling around at 2am- Reasonably priced considering capacity and longevity## ✗ CONS- Blue display attracts insects like a miniature bug zapper (tiny gnats get trapped under the panel like a morbid insect museum)- Takes up significant counter space compared to smaller chargers - it's basically the McMansion of battery chargers- No recycle/refresh function for reviving stubborn batteries that need tough love- Unclear compatibility with newer lithium ion AA batteries- Marketed as a 12-bay charger, which is technically true but somewhat misleading since it's 10+2 (like claiming you have 12 donuts when really you have 10 donuts and 2 donut holes)## ※ PRACTICAL TIPS- Consider spreading multiple chargers across different rooms when charging large quantities - while electrical capacity isn't an issue (each draws only .35A), I've occasionally experienced slower charging when running multiple units on the same circuit- Bathroom and kitchen outlets typically have higher amperage ratings, making them ideal charging locations (though houseguests may give you strange looks)- Keep a higher-end charger like a Nitecore around for dealing with stubborn batteries that won't charge in the EBL (the battery equivalent of sending your kid to military school)- For off-camera flash units that need 4 batteries each, remove and reinstall batteries as complete sets to keep their discharge cycles synchronized## ☞ PERFECT FOR- Professional photographers, especially wedding and event shooters who would rather not panic when a "battery low" warning appears during the first dance- Anyone with multiple electronic devices that devour batteries faster than a toddler with Halloween candy- Those needing to charge large quantities of batteries overnight without setting up a dedicated charging room- People looking for a reliable workhorse rather than a fancy, feature-laden charger that costs more than the devices it's powering- Those who want clear visual feedback on charging progress, not morse code blinking patterns## ☜ NOT IDEAL FOR- Those with just a few devices needing occasional recharging (it's like buying a school bus for your daily commute)- People with limited counter space whose kitchens already look like a Best Buy display floor- Users focused primarily on charging lithium ion format AA batteries- Those who need advanced features like battery analysis, refresh cycles, or capacity testing (it doesn't write battery biographies)## ► THE VERDICTThe EBL 12-bay charger isn't flashy, but it's the backbone of my photography business. When my livelihood depends on having powered-up flash units for consecutive event days, these workhorses deliver consistently. Despite a few quirks (including those trapped gnats who died for the cause of well-lit photography), I can't imagine going back to smaller chargers and the days of serial battery charging.For serious battery users, this is an excellent investment at around $30. While casual users might find it overkill, anyone who's ever faced a "battery apocalypse" scenario will appreciate the peace of mind that comes from being able to recharge an entire arsenal overnight. It's like having battery insurance, but without the annoying gecko mascot.

Works great and was shipped and arrived in a timely manner

Still holding strong 8 years after buying. Perfect charger for AA, AAA and 9V batteries, the level indicator is great and has a backlight that turns on when inserting or removing batteries.

works perfect. the plug that goes into the charger was just a little loose but does not cause any issues.

This is, by far, the best battery charger I have ever owned. So good, in fact, that I've just ordered a 2nd charger to keep right next to this one!My band uses 10 AAA batteries for in-ear monitors, another 6 for our mixer's clip-on LED lamps, plus 10 AA batteries and 4 9V batteries for wireless mics/instrument transmitters. I'm sure I'm leaving out some other items. Actually, now that I've written that, I may go ahead and order a third charger! With this unit, I can collect everyone's devices at the end of rehearsal or after a gig, put all the batteries on the charger, and know that each battery will be full for next time.Biggest improvements over the other chargers I've used (and still own, though they are now rarely used):- This unit has a cable, so I can keep it neatly on a desk instead of sticking it on my power strip on the floor. Even with short extension cords for each charger, those smaller devices can be an eyesore.- Consequently, batteries don't fall out of this charger, since I can lay it flat on its back.- The trickle charge for the 9V batteries actually works! The EBL 9V chargers I've bought in the past were very picky, and wouldn't charge a 9V battery if it wasn't "drained enough."- The LCD screen tells me the charging status of each battery individually. The 9V slots only use flashing LEDs, but I can live with that.- No need to charge in pairs, which is great for when I accidentally mix up the batteries in my hand while collecting them. Before, I had to keep the pairs together because each device drained the batteries differently, so mixing them (presumably) would affect how they charged together. I saw this the first time I used this unit, when one unlucky battery was much lower than the other nine, probably from being charged with a full battery a couple nights in a row.- The spring-loaded clip makes it super easy to add/remove batteries to the unit.If I could change anything about the unit:- USB slots! I think having USB slots would make this item absolutely perfect.- More 9V slots! But since I probably use more 9V batteries than a typical human, I can understand why two slots makes sense.- More AA/AAA slots! Yeah, I'm sure we all wish this thing had 64 battery slots on it! I solved this problem by just buying another unit.- LCD progress screen for the 9V slots, or at least a different LED blinking rate based on how full the batteries are. Again, not a big deal, but it would have been nice.Overall, I am so pleased to be able to neatly charge all of my batteries without trying to keep certain batteries together, and without having to bend down and balance 10+ batteries on my 4-battery chargers every night (just to come back to find that two batteries didn't charge because one of them popped out of its slot). Looking forward to using these chargers for a long time!

Item as described by the seller

Fast ,nicely built easy to use .