C9000 charge rate?

[snatiep]

Hello Everyone!

I have just spent two hours reading different posts but I cannot find a clear answer to my question.

I just want to know what a safe charge rate is to use on my AA's in my C9000.

The manual says not to charge at a rate below .3C or not to charge at a rate above 1.0C

I have both "Duraloops" and Energizer 2500mAh AA batteries.

Should I just charge them at .3C?

Thank you all for any help.

 

[KD5XB]

For normal charging, I usually use .5C -- but that's just because my Duraloops are rated at 2000 maH and the default charge rate on the C-9000 is 1000 maH. In other words, I'm lazy!

Seriously, it depends on what I'm trying to accomplish. A higher charge rate heats the batteries more, and the charger will stop charging just a bit earlier, so you get a bit less of a charge, A lower charge rate will give a more complete charge, but takes longer.

Sometimes I'm in a hurry and I charge at 1C, and other times I have extra time in my schedule and use .5C. It all depends on what end result I need -- quick or complete.

 

[Black Rose]

I normally use the closet mA setting to a 0.5C charge rate for all my cells on the C9000.

 

[Mr Happy]

For Duraloops, as with eneloops, you can charge at any rate you like from 100 mA to 2000 mA. Assuming it is a recently purchased C9000 it will stop charging when the batteries reach 1.47 V and they will reach that voltage at any charge rate. However, I always end up using the default 1000 mA charge unless I am in a hurry, when I use up to 2000 mA. I wouldn't bother with any charge rate less than 500 mA as it will take forever and you will die of boredom first.

As for the Energizer 2500 cells, the best thing to do is throw them away and buy more Duraloops :devil:

But if you really, really want to use them, charge them at 1000 mA or higher.

 

[snatiep]

Thank you all very much for your help!