A universal charge module for recharging rechargeable batteries includes a housing, a connector block formed on the housing for receiving a rechargeable battery, the connector block including an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the rechargeable battery to the housing, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the housing, the power control circuit being capable of determining operating and charging parameters of the rechargeable battery, wherein the power control circuit controls the recharging of the rechargeable battery in dependence upon the determined operating and charging parameters.