Is this "smart charger" any good?

[igirl]

http://www.batteryspace.com/ch-v6280smartbaycharger8channelsworldwidepowerforaaaaanimhbatteries.aspx

I've read one review that said it wasn't so smart because someone was trying to swap batteries (DOH!) during charging etc. - but i don't care about that - all I want is a charger that won't cook my Duraloops when I use it.

Put batteries in (at *least* 4 at a time) - plug in for a day - charged. That's all I want. Nothing else.

This one seems like a decent deal without breaking the bank. I'm open to alternative suggestions, but don't really want to have to pay for a premium charger. All I want is to go from point A to point B - don't need a Bently to do that when a Ford will do the job just as well.

 

[Mr Happy]

You seem to have made a duplicate post -- you should ask a moderator to remove the other one to avoid confusion.

But I'm confused. You said you already have several chargers:

I have several chargers -
Energizer 2.8v - 360mA
Sony 1.4v - 400mA
Supreme Power Rapid Charger - 900mA!!!!

Why do you want to buy another? It will not serve you well to rush out and buy another charger in a hurry. Use the chargers you have and save your money. If after some use you learn about special features you might wish for and do not have, then at that time you can make an informed choice about a new charger.

As the saying goes, "buy in haste, repent at leasure"

My recommendation is to use the Sony charger for now. Sony is a reputable brand.

It would help us to help you if you can list the exact model number on each of the chargers you have. That way we can look up the specifications and see exactly what they are.

[PS: I have asked if someone can remove your other post that is a duplicate of this one]

 

[igirl]

Thank you I have put in a request to delete the duplicate...I have no idea how that happened - other than my posts have been on hold and I kept going back to see if they became live.

Now, the chargers - and model numbers - I thought these were all possibly incompatible for slow charging Duraloops - or at best, not quite a good fit...

Energizer 2.8v - 360mA MODEL CHDC
http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/chdc.pdf

Sony 1.4v - 400mA - Model BC-CS2B
http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ecom/accessories/web/viewItemDetail.do?operation=getItemDetail&itemID=248676&category=5&categoryName=Portable%2520Audio

Supreme Power Rapid Charger - 900mA!!!! - Model - Rapid Charger PC-81-1
http://www.bylandwaterandair.com/extras/reviews/gear/powerhaus_rapid_charger.php (It's pretty OLD! LOL)

So - that's what I have - I believe none of these are "smart chargers".

I tried the Duraloops in the Energizer charger for a time but they got very hot so I pulled them off believing that's not a good sign at all. Last thing I want to do is cook the new Duraloops!!

The Sony only does 2 at a time but I could live with it. Or for $25 shipped the one above or something else maybe? Recommendations welcome!

Thanks in advance for input! :thumbsup:

 

[Mr Happy]

OK: That Energizer charger? Complete crap. Don't even think about using it for any batteries, ever. You are supposed to use it by inserting fully discharged batteries and then using a stopwatch to decide when to remove them. If you leave the batteries too long they will get cooked. It's a total battery destroyer.

The Sony: Apart from the limitation to 2 batteries at a time, it is probably OK to use. I would trust it unless the batteries started getting hot.

The Supreme Power: also probably OK, but unfortunately it only charges batteries in pairs. This means you should always make sure to install 2 or 4 fully empty batteries for charging and not mix batteries that might only be partially empty.

For a recommendation, you already have it: the Duracell Mobile Charger. This charges from 1 to 4 batteries individually, it has individual status indicators and it has a USB power output for charging cell phones and other devices. As someone mentioned, you might find it for $18 shipped in the CPF marketplace...

 

[VidPro]

its a good choice i would do it.
independant channels, discharge function, high enough speed for convienience, and likly to cut-off proper, lotsa cells at one time, cheap price.

only one thing that wouldnt be "ideal" and that is what it will do to AAAs, but the poor AAAs always get treated like a side gesture.

i basically quit using ANY series charger , unless it was slow enough to balance itself, or the cells had been strictally used as a team and were similarly discharged, they couldnt even DO a proper discharging in series, of the oens that even had that feature.

 

[igirl]

OK - thanks!

 

[Bones]

The Sony BC-CS2B is actually a very good basic charger igirl, so as long as you can get by with charging one or two cells at a time, there's no reason to rush your purchase:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post2407840

Respecting the Duracell Mobile charger, they are commonly available in local stores, and often come bundled with Duraloops. As you've already indicated you have a supply, I'll presume you're familiar with their distinguishing characteristics.

Since the end posts aren't visible though, the trick to determining whether the Duraloop is bundled with the mobile charger is to ensure 'Made in Japan' is stated on the portion of the cell that is visible through the translucent cover. It must also state either 'Pre-charged' or 'Active Charge' on the package.