Is there such a thing as a Multi D cell battery analyzer?

[Hamster]

I am using the crappy old Vanson battery charger to charge my D cell accupower batteries.
I can measure the capacity of my D cell batteries individually, using my my triton charger. But, with so many batteries, this is a lot of work.

I have an AA charger that can multi-cycle and measure the capacity of 4 AA and AAA cells at the same time.
These are common and I love them.

I have searched for for a D cell charger that can multi-cycle and analyze my D cells four or eight at a time, the way the common AA cell analyzers do.

Does anyone know of such a device?
I guess that NiHD D cells are so rare that nobody makes a good analyzer/recharger.

Heck, there are no eneloop D cells. So, I guess that says a lot about the D cell market. Nobody buys them.

So, if anyone on the board knows a good 4 or eight channel D cell analyzer/recharger, please let me know.

thanks

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Hamster,

You may want to consider doing this a little differently...

You could, using a clamp, for 2S2P battery packs out of your D cells. That would have you checking blocks of 4 cells, but you should be able to get an idea on capacity. If a block of cells end up with significantly less capacity, you could then do the cells individually.

In a 2S configuration, there is minimal risk of over discharging so you wouldn't have to worry about cell reversal. You will have to divide the actual discharge capacity in half to account for the 2P set up.

With some tubes to hold the cells you may even be able to go for a 3S2P configuration.

The idea is to do a general sort, then focus on the specific cells as needed.

Be advised that this is not as easy as it sounds. D cells don't seem to nest nicely when you squeeze the clamp down on several in series. It can be difficult to insure that all cells are making good contact. You may want to do a couple of practice set up and partial runs to make sure your set up is working properly.

While it is not advisable to charge NiMh cells in parallel, it is OK to drain them in parallel.

There are some multi cell analyzers available, but I remember them running around $1700, and being limited to a 3 amp maximum discharge rate.

Tom

 

[Bones]

...
Heck, there are no eneloop D cells. So, I guess that says a lot about the D cell market. Nobody buys them.

So, if anyone on the board knows a good 4 or eight channel D cell analyzer/recharger, please let me know.
...

Regrettably, I'm not aware of a multi-channel re-charger/analyzer for D cells that's equivalent to those available for the AA/AAA cells.

However, Eneloop C & D cells are now on the market, they're just not readily available outside Asia yet:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post2585766

 

[divine]

Have you seen the Powerex Professional charger?

Link

I'm not sure if it shows capacity. I read through the features, it might not.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Divine,

That is a great charger, and while it does discharge, it does not show capacity.

Tom

 

[Hamster]

Exactly, it does not show the capacity. I was thinking of buying a C9000 and jumper the bays to external D holders. The C9000 can measure up to 20 Ah. I will have to be content with a 0.2C charge rate for my 10Ah accupower D cells.