How to charge new ROP batteries?

[ufmace]

I'm working on building my first ROP here on a 4D Mag. I already have the bulbs and lens, and I'm waiting on the reflector. For batteries, I got 6 CBP Elite 4500 SubC NiHMs, advertised as being the new low self-discharge formula. I already built a "pack" by wrapping paper around them until they fit snugly into the Mag body, though I can still take individual cells out.

Now, this is my first foray into high-power rechargeable. So, what is the best way to charge these guys? All I have right now is a little AAA/AA charger, so I'll need to get something new. Should I be charging all of them as a pack, or individually? Are there any chargers that take individual SubCs, or do I need to get one with leads and connect them to the pack? Any particular charger recommendations? I guess I'll need around 4 amps charging current going by the 1C rule.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Ufmace,

Schulze makes excellent chargers. You can do a Google search and find their different models.

Tom

 

[KevinL]

I'm working on building my first ROP here on a 4D Mag. I already have the bulbs and lens, and I'm waiting on the reflector. For batteries, I got 6 CBP Elite 4500 SubC NiHMs, advertised as being the new low self-discharge formula. I already built a "pack" by wrapping paper around them until they fit snugly into the Mag body, though I can still take individual cells out.

Now, this is my first foray into high-power rechargeable. So, what is the best way to charge these guys? All I have right now is a little AAA/AA charger, so I'll need to get something new. Should I be charging all of them as a pack, or individually? Are there any chargers that take individual SubCs, or do I need to get one with leads and connect them to the pack? Any particular charger recommendations? I guess I'll need around 4 amps charging current going by the 1C rule.

I was using the Maha C777Plus2 for a couple of years, now the Hyperion 0606i charger. Both work great.

4A charge current is not a necessity. The Maha had only a single 700mA charge rate for NiMH, and it worked fine, just that it would take a while to finish. Of course, if your charger can support higher rates, then charging takes much less time, of course. My Hyperion is usually set at 3.6A for 3600mAH Sanyo high-rate SubC's and I charge them all as one pack. For the "Original ROP" (the particular 4D of mine that started the whole phenomenon) I had the cells resistance welded together into a pack so I can't disassemble it. It's a little bit more convenient that way.

 

[ufmace]

Okay, I looked for Schulze (saw the description in the charger shootout thread too). Found the recommended one (6-330) on one site for $200, and it looks like it needs a power supply too. Sounds like it's out of production. Kinda pricey, and the other models cost much more too.

That Hyperion 0606i I see a couple of places for $150 and under, and it has it's own 120V power supply.

Have any of you guys tried the MRC chargers that I see on cheapbatterypacks? The 960 and 989 sound like they might work too.