NiMh and NiCd Battery Charger Circuit

Description 

 This automatic NiCd charger for 9V NiCd batteries is using 555 timer properties and is very easy to build. Why is an automatic 9 volts NiCd battery charger? Because you can leave the battery for charging as much as you like: it will be always completely charged and ready for use when is needed. It wont be overcharged and it will not discharge. With the values presented in the circuit diagram, the battery charger NiCd circuit is suitable for 6V and 9V batteries.

9 volt types with 6 and 7 cells are charging with 20mA; P1 must be adjusted so that the NiCd charger disconnects after 14 hours. Window inferior level is set at 1V below this value with P2. 5V battery type with 4 or 5 cells are charged at 55mA. Again, with P1 adjust the NiCd charger circuit so it disconnects after 14 hours. Window inferior level must be set at 0.8V below this value.

Circuit diagram:

 
Parts:

• P1 = 50K
• P2 = 50K
• R1 = 820R
• R2 = 820R
• R3 = 1K
• R4 = 10K
• R5 = 10K
• R6 = 100R
• D1 = 4.7V Zener
• D2 = 1N4001
• D4 = 1N4148
• D5 = B40C1500 Diode Bridge
• C1 = 220uF - 25V
• Q1 = BC547B
• IC = 555
• B1 = 9V Ni-Cad Battery 

 Source  http://www.extremecircuits.net/2010/02/nimh-and-nicd-battery-charger-circuit.html