A device that could recharge regular batteries came out?

Question

some years back. BuddyL I think it was called. It seems like this would solve a lot of problems and save a lot of $$ and be wildly popular, but it never really caught on big. Why?

Answer 1

Its already been done and in the shops

http://www.rezap.com.au/

http://www.afrotechmods.com/reallycheap/batteries/batts.htm

Answer 2

I assume you mean carbon, zinc batteries found around the home. Types AAA,AA,A,C,D etc.
You can recharge these types but with little success.You see this type battery deteriorates as it discharges.making them unsuitable for reuse. Whereas your car battery simply changes state. The acid is absorbed in the plates as it discharges and recharging simply drives the acid back out of the plates
There are a lot of products that initially get a lot of hype when they first come out but sooner or later the government catches up with them. Remember when magnets were all the rage. Magnet bracelets, magnet rings and magnets to put on your fuel lines, all sold by "snake oil salesmen". You still see people wearing copper bracelets. Same thing. You see, people want to believe these things so they are willing buyers. Don't you suppose EverReady and Duracell would have offered re-chargers by now?

Answer 3

Because battery companies still make you believe that regular batteries would blow up if recharged. Nonsense, which my dad found out by accident when he recharged regular ones without even knowing... they working fine (luckily)

Answer 4

I had that charger you're talking about. What would happen is the batteries would have a good charge for the frist few times they were re-charged, but after the 3rd time or so, the charges didnt last at all.