Ansmann charger, any good?

Long time lurker decided to join CPF

I need a new charger. The one I currently use is at least 10 years old and is held together with duct tape.

I use the following battery types:

-AA: Sanyo Eneloop 2000mAh LSD NiMH, GP 2700mAh NiMH.
-AAA: GP Recyko 820mAh LSD NiMH.
-D: Conrad Energy Endurance 8000mAh LSD NiMH.

Requirements for the charger:

-Cheap, maximum budget EUR 60 / USD 80.
-Available in Europe, that's where I live.
-Safe, good protection mechanism, no excessive overcharge.
-Charge different battery types simultaneously e.g. 2xAA cell and 2xD cell.

I found the following charger online: http://www.ansmann.de/cms/consumroot/charging-technology/fast-chargers/powerline-5-lcd.html

Is it any good? Any suggestions appreciated!

Hi CV: :welcome:

The Ansmann chargers in general don't have a too good reputation.
Main issue for this one IMHO is only 1 Amp charge for D Cells. At this charge rate, it's very difficult to detect full charge.

I'd rather suggest this charger, it has 2 Amp charge:
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=408

Don't know if it's available in Europe, but I can help you if you wish.

Another option would be the ACCUPOWER ACCUMANAGER 20 Multi-Battery Charger:
http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/ACCUPOWER-ACCUMANAGER-20-Multi-Battery-Charger_p_190-241.html

That's also available in Europe from http://www.elv.de for example.


This charger has a pretty good reputation, many features and has a 4 Amp charge rate for D-Cells. (Of course, it' more expensive (about 200 USD) )

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/202020/AKKULADESTATION-CHARGE-MANAGER-2020/0502124

(Sorry for the german, but I suppose most readers will spot the features anyway.)

I can buy the Maha MH-C808M in my country for EUR 80, thats about USD 110. It's a bit more expensive than what I had planned but that's no big deal. But my friend always tells me that charging batteries this fast (2A) will degrade the capacity really fast.

The MH-C808M charges AA, C, and D cells at 1 amp in 'soft' mode. The 2 amp charge rate is good for C and D cells.

For nimh cells, I use a .5C to 1C charge rate.

You don't have to charge at 2A. You can use the "soft" charge, which I believe is 1A for D, C, and AA, maybe less for the AAAs.

Peter

I believe the MH-C808M charges AAA cells at 700ma, or in 'soft' mode, 350ma.

Welcome to CPF CV90! :thumbsup:

AlexLED said:

This charger has a pretty good reputation, many features and has a 4 Amp charge rate for D-Cells. (Of course, it' more expensive (about 200 USD) )

http://www.conrad.de/ce/en/product/202020/AKKULADESTATION-CHARGE-MANAGER-2020/0502124

Click to expand...

I couldn't get your link to work, Alex, that may just be temporary.

Keep in mind that not all "D" NiMH cells can take a 4A charge rate (from BaterySpace). I would like to investigate that charger though.

Dave

CV90 said:

Long time lurker decided to join CPF

I need a new charger. The one I currently use is at least 10 years old and is held together with duct tape.

I use the following battery types:

-AA: Sanyo Eneloop 2000mAh LSD NiMH, GP 2700mAh NiMH.
-AAA: GP Recyko 820mAh LSD NiMH.
-D: Conrad Energy Endurance 8000mAh LSD NiMH.

Requirements for the charger:

-Cheap, maximum budget EUR 60 / USD 80.
-Available in Europe, that's where I live.
-Safe, good protection mechanism, no excessive overcharge.
-Charge different battery types simultaneously e.g. 2xAA cell and 2xD cell.

I found the following charger online: http://www.ansmann.de/cms/consumroot/charging-technology/fast-chargers/powerline-5-lcd.html

Is it any good? Any suggestions appreciated!

Click to expand...

I have that charger. It's the 2nd most used charger after my Maha C9000. It's good with AA's and AAA's. It takes a real long time charging high capacity D batteries. You also have the option of charging 9 volt batteries. Overall I'm satisfied with the charger.

45/70 said:

Welcome to CPF CV90! :thumbsup:




I couldn't get your link to work, Alex, that may just be temporary.

Keep in mind that not all "D" NiMH cells can take a 4A charge rate (from BaterySpace). I would like to investigate that charger though.

Dave

Click to expand...

Ah, sorry Dave, I have now corrected the link.

You can choose between 2A and 4A for D-Cells. (You can only charge 4 D-Cells with 4A at a time - max total current is 16A.)

Here's the link to the manual, it contains english, too (the page sequence is just a bit odd):
http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/d...20-an-01-ml-AKKULADESTATION_2020_de_en_fr.pdf

CV90 said:

my friend always tells me that charging batteries this fast (2A) will degrade the capacity really fast.

Click to expand...

That's not exactly true.
Over-charging degrades the capacity, this includes a "slow-charge" over a too long period.
The charger needs to detect the state of full charge and this is difficult or rather impossible when charging with too low currents.
Most consider 0.5C to 1C as optimum current.
Of course, using much higher currents can cause problems, too.

I decided to order the Maha MH-C808M. Thanks for the advice!