DIESEL
Newly Enlightened
I'm looking for a good charger to handle all battery types but there are many brands and different types.Any help would be great.Thanks Joe /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9volt
- Thread starter DIESEL
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I would look at the Rayovac PS-3, usually $20 at WalMart. The latest model handles 9-volt batteries so it meets your criteria. It is smart and also handles rechargeable alkaline batteries, so it is one of the most versatile chargers of the type. It is not the fastest charger out there and does not utilize negative pulse charging, but is very functional none the less.
I think some people on the board have had some problems with this charger, but I have the smaller version of it (PS-1) and am very happy with it. I know this charger has existed in several versions over the years and I don't know how good the earlier versions were.
I think some people on the board have had some problems with this charger, but I have the smaller version of it (PS-1) and am very happy with it. I know this charger has existed in several versions over the years and I don't know how good the earlier versions were.
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
I have the PS-1 and I don't like it at all. It does charge RAM and even normal alkaline (!), but it's behaving very strange with hi-capacity NiMh. Sometime will charge about 50 mA, sometimes 130-160 (and this is the max) ! Sometimes will charge not so depleted cells overnight, but usually it takes about 2-3 days ! Sometimes it takes 2-5 min to detect fully charged cells, sometimes 8 hrs. Right now I made myself a trickle charger with one wall-wart and 2 bulbs as resistor and I'm much more happier this way.
I have the PS-1 and I don't like it at all. It does charge RAM and even normal alkaline (!), but it's behaving very strange with hi-capacity NiMh. Sometime will charge about 50 mA, sometimes 130-160 (and this is the max) ! Sometimes will charge not so depleted cells overnight, but usually it takes about 2-3 days ! Sometimes it takes 2-5 min to detect fully charged cells, sometimes 8 hrs. Right now I made myself a trickle charger with one wall-wart and 2 bulbs as resistor and I'm much more happier this way.
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
I haven't had any of those problems with my Rayovac PS-1. I have the latest model that has a lid that is dome-shaped on top instead of the older flat-topped lid. Itsme1234, is yours the newest model also?
I consistently get full charges in 5-12 hours depending on battery size and capacity. Charging a partially-discharged cell is of course much quicker. I have never noticed a single problem with EOC detection. Maybe I got lucky, but I think this is a whole lot of charger for the money. I even suspect that Rayovac is selling this charger well below it's market value to gain a significant market share in the emerging mass-market for rechargeable batteries in the common replacement sizes.
I haven't had any of those problems with my Rayovac PS-1. I have the latest model that has a lid that is dome-shaped on top instead of the older flat-topped lid. Itsme1234, is yours the newest model also?
I consistently get full charges in 5-12 hours depending on battery size and capacity. Charging a partially-discharged cell is of course much quicker. I have never noticed a single problem with EOC detection. Maybe I got lucky, but I think this is a whole lot of charger for the money. I even suspect that Rayovac is selling this charger well below it's market value to gain a significant market share in the emerging mass-market for rechargeable batteries in the common replacement sizes.
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
Mine is only a couple of months old and it has a flat white cover. It says "PS1C" on the back, and it's 220 V version (I'm in Europe). Maybe I should find the receipt and have it replaced.
Edit: and the "Warnings" on the back are in three foreign languages for me (French, German and "something else"). And not a word in English (well, except for "Made in China").
Mine is only a couple of months old and it has a flat white cover. It says "PS1C" on the back, and it's 220 V version (I'm in Europe). Maybe I should find the receipt and have it replaced.
Edit: and the "Warnings" on the back are in three foreign languages for me (French, German and "something else"). And not a word in English (well, except for "Made in China").
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
I am not sure about Euro versions, but I think my US charger is rated for 110-220volts (maybe, I am not sure, I may be thinking of a different charger). If so, they may be selling the same stuff everywhere. The new clear domed-lid versions started hitting shelves around here about 6 months ago, but there were plenty of older versions still in stock in many places and you will see them even now in some stores.
Sounds like yours could be handled as a warranty claim.
I am not sure about Euro versions, but I think my US charger is rated for 110-220volts (maybe, I am not sure, I may be thinking of a different charger). If so, they may be selling the same stuff everywhere. The new clear domed-lid versions started hitting shelves around here about 6 months ago, but there were plenty of older versions still in stock in many places and you will see them even now in some stores.
Sounds like yours could be handled as a warranty claim.
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
Hello DIESEL,
I have the Vanson BC-1HU and am very satisfied with it.
The only quirk with it is that it has a timer that shuts the unit off after 11.5 hours when charging D cells. It just happens that with a charge rate of 700 mA/h, my 9000 mAh D cells require about 12.9 hours to fully charge. I have just modified my charging procedure. I put the D cells in (please note that this only applies to fully discharged D cells) then after a few hours, I unplug the unit and plug it back in. This resets the timer and the cells end up fully charged. I am using NiMh cells, and most of the time I just throw them in the charger after a couple of months of use. They are not completely discharged, and I do not have to fiddle with anything. The specifications on this charger are:
AAA 300 mA/h with a 3.5 hour timer
AA 500 mA/h with a 5 hour timer
C 700 mA/h with a 6 hour timer
D 700 mA/h with a 11.5 hour timer and
9V 20 mA/h with a 11.5 hour timer
If you do a search on battery chargers in this section, you will find a lot of information on a lot of different chargers.
Good luck.
Tom
By the way, I charge my batteries with the door closed. I believe that the thermal protection built into the charger works better that way. There has been some discussion about trying to remove the heat from the charging batteries by opening the door or by blowing a fan over them during charging (in one case it was reported that the instructions specify leaving the door open while charging, but most of the models suggest that the door should be closed).
Hello DIESEL,
I have the Vanson BC-1HU and am very satisfied with it.
The only quirk with it is that it has a timer that shuts the unit off after 11.5 hours when charging D cells. It just happens that with a charge rate of 700 mA/h, my 9000 mAh D cells require about 12.9 hours to fully charge. I have just modified my charging procedure. I put the D cells in (please note that this only applies to fully discharged D cells) then after a few hours, I unplug the unit and plug it back in. This resets the timer and the cells end up fully charged. I am using NiMh cells, and most of the time I just throw them in the charger after a couple of months of use. They are not completely discharged, and I do not have to fiddle with anything. The specifications on this charger are:
AAA 300 mA/h with a 3.5 hour timer
AA 500 mA/h with a 5 hour timer
C 700 mA/h with a 6 hour timer
D 700 mA/h with a 11.5 hour timer and
9V 20 mA/h with a 11.5 hour timer
If you do a search on battery chargers in this section, you will find a lot of information on a lot of different chargers.
Good luck.
Tom
By the way, I charge my batteries with the door closed. I believe that the thermal protection built into the charger works better that way. There has been some discussion about trying to remove the heat from the charging batteries by opening the door or by blowing a fan over them during charging (in one case it was reported that the instructions specify leaving the door open while charging, but most of the models suggest that the door should be closed).
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
SilverFox:
You would charge a 9000 mAh NiMh with 700 mA in 12.9 h only if you have a 100% eficiency (something is wrong here but I'm too lazy to use the spell checker !). By the way, the A (like in Ampere) already is a rate (by definition 1 A is 1 coulomb / s); so you have 9000 mAh (not mA) and 700 mA (not mA/h). I know, I'm picky 🙂.
Actually you could charge twice without any problem your D cells (you could even trickle charge with 700 mA the 9000 mAh cells for ever).
By today's standards this charger is pretty dumb - but again - I'm using a wall wart and 2 bulbs to charge my NiMh so I sould shut up 🙂.
SilverFox:
You would charge a 9000 mAh NiMh with 700 mA in 12.9 h only if you have a 100% eficiency (something is wrong here but I'm too lazy to use the spell checker !). By the way, the A (like in Ampere) already is a rate (by definition 1 A is 1 coulomb / s); so you have 9000 mAh (not mA) and 700 mA (not mA/h). I know, I'm picky 🙂.
Actually you could charge twice without any problem your D cells (you could even trickle charge with 700 mA the 9000 mAh cells for ever).
By today's standards this charger is pretty dumb - but again - I'm using a wall wart and 2 bulbs to charge my NiMh so I sould shut up 🙂.
FreeBSDboy
Newly Enlightened
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
Just a little FYI,
You should add 20% to your charge time estimates to acount for the not perfect charge efficiency. A full charge for your D's should be in the 15 hour range.
But since your not charging completly dead batteries you probably won't ever have a problem.
Just a little FYI,
You should add 20% to your charge time estimates to acount for the not perfect charge efficiency. A full charge for your D's should be in the 15 hour range.
But since your not charging completly dead batteries you probably won't ever have a problem.
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Re: Best Universal Charger-NiMH/NiCd-AAA/AA/C/D/9v
Gosh, you guys are picky.
Ok, the input for the Vanson charger is 1000mA, the output varies per cell size from 20mA to 700mA.
I have actually timed a charge with "dead" D cells, and the light turns green right at 13 hours. I leave them on for a few hours extra, just to top them off.
I have no reference on how to determine if a charger is smart or not, but this charger will charge both NiCd and NiMh with pulse current, will detect bad batteries, has negative delta V cut off, and will discharge NiCd batteries prior to charging them. You can also mix NiCd and NiMh batteries while charging. You can also mix battery sizes. This seems a lot smarter than my old 13 hour timer only charger.
Tom
Gosh, you guys are picky.
Ok, the input for the Vanson charger is 1000mA, the output varies per cell size from 20mA to 700mA.
I have actually timed a charge with "dead" D cells, and the light turns green right at 13 hours. I leave them on for a few hours extra, just to top them off.
I have no reference on how to determine if a charger is smart or not, but this charger will charge both NiCd and NiMh with pulse current, will detect bad batteries, has negative delta V cut off, and will discharge NiCd batteries prior to charging them. You can also mix NiCd and NiMh batteries while charging. You can also mix battery sizes. This seems a lot smarter than my old 13 hour timer only charger.
Tom
Shark
Enlightened
MH-C777PLUS-II after this one the rest went in the trash complete with magnetic thermocouple to monitor battery temp. www.mahaenergy.com
