Duracell CEF90NC 30-min Battery Charger

[flatline]

I have a Duracell 30 min charger, model CEF90NC that I bought 6(?) years ago for use with our first digital camera.

It appears to be a smart charger with 4 charging channels and an indicator light for each channel. I've never tried it with AAA cells, but I've been using the same 8 Duracell AA cells for the last 6 years or so with this charger and they're all still usable, so it can't be too hard on them.

Does anyone know anything about this charger? Specifically, I'm curious about the charging currents for both AA and AAA cells and whether or not it's known to terminate charge properly for both cells. If this is a half-way decent charger, then I'll keep using it. If I find out that it's crap, then I'll go hunting for another.

Thanks!

--flatline

 

[Bones]

Hi flatline,

According to its specifications, the CEF90NC will impart a 3.4A charge into 1 to 4 AA cells and a 1.7A charge into 1 to 4 AAA cells. It's also supposed to utilize negative deltaV, temperature and/or a timer to terminate its charge. Combined, these traits qualify it as a fully independent channel, smart charger.

Although it's generally accepted that charging NiMH cells at more than 1C will adversely affect their cyle life and long-term performance, if you've experienced otherwise with this charger, there really isn't any other reason to replace it.

http://www.professional.duracell.com/ ... /RC_CEF90nc_OS.pdf
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[flatline]

Thanks so much!

As to whether the charger has adversely effected the longevity and capacity of my cells by charging too fast, I have nothing to compare against, so it's very possible. All I know for sure is that each of the 8 duracell cells I've been using the last 6 years or so all still work. I have noticed, however, that it takes much longer to charge them than the claimed 30 minutes (usually between 45 and 60 minutes for a discharged cell), but I don't remember if it's ever charged as fast as it claims.

I'm tempted to replace this charger with either a Duracell Mobile Charger or the charger that comes in the Eneloops kit.

Thanks again for your help!

--flatline

 

[Mr Happy]

Your charger is probably not too bad. The later 15 minute chargers were one step too far in aggressive charging, but the 30 minute rate is more acceptable. How hot do the batteries get in charging? If they don't get excessively hot, and if they don't pop or hiss, they are probably not being harmed so much.

Bear in mind that 6 years is way longer than the expected lifetime for NiHM cells in regular use. 2-3 years between replacements would not be unexpected.

 

[flatline]

Your charger is probably not too bad. The later 15 minute chargers were one step too far in aggressive charging, but the 30 minute rate more acceptable. How hot do the batteries get in charging? If they don't get excessively hot, and if they don't pop or hiss, they are probably not being harmed so much.

Bear in mind that 6 years is way longer than the expected lifetime for NiHM cells in regular use. 2-3 years between replacements would not be unexpected.

Excellent news. Towards the end of a charge, the cells get warm, but never hot, nor do they ever make any detectable noise.

I'll keep using it for now. Next time we make an amazon order, I'll add a more gentle charger to the order.

--flatline

 

[Bones]

...
I'm tempted to replace this charger with either a Duracell Mobile Charger or the charger that comes in the Eneloops kit.
...

Just a cautionary note respecting the charger bundled with the Eneloop kit. It's most often the model MQN06, which is a two channel, four place unit that has to charge cells in pairs. SilverFox commented on it and pairs charging in general in this thread:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post2778384

Although almost impossible to find in the USA now, the model MQN05 which was originally bundled with the Eneloop kit is a much better choice:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post3070129

Recently discontinued and therefore increasingly hard to find as well, the Duracell Mobile charger is probably your best choice:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post3124814

 

[45/70]

.....I've been using the same 8 Duracell AA cells for the last 6 years or so with this charger and they're all still usable, so it can't be too hard on them.

flatline, I think you've answered some of your own questions here! If your cells truly still work well, even somewhat, I'd say that's a pretty good charger!

I guess it'd probably be a good idea to get a backup though. Chargers don't last forever. I'd be inclined to get one with a bit slower rate as well, but it sure doesn't sound like there's anything really wrong with your Duracell 30 min charger.....at all!

Dave