La Crosse Charger Review

[JonSidneyB]

I myself have not used this charger yet but I will soon.

Some of the users have really got to know the many features well.

I was thinking this would be a nice place for people to talk about the charger and get quesitons answered.

 

[vcal]

It's interesting to just watch the "mAh" reading that is an option when using the straight charge function.

-Just pop the battery in and watch the optional digital mA(h) "guage" slowly climbing as the battery fills up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Example: my 2100 Energizer has been charging at 1500mA for 55 minutes, and the guage indicates the 1385mAh level.
Not to be taken necessarily as scientifically accurate, but it's still very interesting to watch the progress of the charge.

-Having individual digital timers for each charging bay is cool also.
-I've had this charger for almost two weeks now, and it's just as much fun to use as when I first got it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Jon,

I love this charger.

If you don't have time to fiddle with it, just throw your cells in it and in the morning they are ready to go.

If you want a fast charge, set the charge rate up and away you go.

If you need to match a set of cells for a light, do a test on them and pick the cells with the closest numbers.

Have some new or old cells that need to be cycled? Just throw them on the charger and select refresh. It may take a few days to complete this process so be patient, but it can bring tired cells back to life.

I think the numbers for capacity are a bit "optimistic," but they are consistent. If you need to compare one cell to another, it will give you a good idea of how well they do.

All of this and they also give you AA to C and AA to D spacers. I have a 3 D light that 3rd Shift Lights (great job Stephen) built for me. My 9000 mAh D cells weigh about 6 ounces each. The 2400 mAh Titanium cells with the AA to D spacers weigh about 2 ounces. My light is about 12 ounces lighter using the spacers. I have less run time, but it still is adequate for most of my uses.

Add to this a nice carry case and you have the complete system.

The only thing lacking is C and D cell capability.

I think this is a great charger and it does a good job of charging as well. Cells come out at pretty close to full charge and are cool. What more can you ask for?

Tom

 

[nonbox]

Who has the La Crosse Charger for the best price?


__________________________________________________________________

http://nbox00.tripod.com

 

[TrueBlue]

JSBurly does.

 

[jedi_master]

[ QUOTE ]
SilverFox said:
Hello Jon,

I love this charger.

If you don't have time to fiddle with it, just throw your cells in it and in the morning they are ready to go.

If you want a fast charge, set the charge rate up and away you go.

If you need to match a set of cells for a light, do a test on them and pick the cells with the closest numbers.

Have some new or old cells that need to be cycled? Just throw them on the charger and select refresh. It may take a few days to complete this process so be patient, but it can bring tired cells back to life.

I think the numbers for capacity are a bit "optimistic," but they are consistent. If you need to compare one cell to another, it will give you a good idea of how well they do.

All of this and they also give you AA to C and AA to D spacers. I have a 3 D light that 3rd Shift Lights (great job Stephen) built for me. My 9000 mAh D cells weigh about 6 ounces each. The 2400 mAh Titanium cells with the AA to D spacers weigh about 2 ounces. My light is about 12 ounces lighter using the spacers. I have less run time, but it still is adequate for most of my uses.

Add to this a nice carry case and you have the complete system.

The only thing lacking is C and D cell capability.

I think this is a great charger and it does a good job of charging as well. Cells come out at pretty close to full charge and are cool. What more can you ask for?

Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree. I have my charger for two days and love it. I have 4 chargers including MAHA 401FS but they are all in my closet now. It is a bargain deal when you consider free batteries, C and D adapters plus a nice carrying case. As someone mentioned before charger like this is going to raise the bar for everyone to follow. I'm glad I found this charger and very pleased with my purchase.

 

[rdshores]

I really like my BC-900 too. I may be wearing out my batteries playing with it though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JonSidneyB]

If you have any comments or improvements you would like to see in this product. Contact La Crosse and let them know. Tell them you are from CPF and that Jon sent ya. Maybe we can get the product changed to suit our needs even more.

 

[Penguin]

C'mon now, I just ordered this handsome machine, Please! tell me I made a good decision! (more positive reviews wanted!)

 

[Penguin]

I recieved mine today! I read the manual and everything but I still cant get the darn thing to charge faster than 200mah!!!! OK ok, tell me if I'm doing something wrong. Put the battery in, click current, still says 200, tried holding it down, nothing. Any suggestions?

 

[vcal]

You have to be fairly quick (right after battery insertion) to hit the current button for up-select to 500, 700, 1000 etc. If you aren't, the charger will "lock" on the 200mA default. Either:
1. re-insert the battery -and select on current button immediately.
-OR:
2. If only the one cell is in the charger, just pull the supply plug input to unit and re-plug back in. Then before four seconds elapses, hit the current button repeatedly to up-select (on the display), the stronger currents.

 

[Penguin]

Oh! I found the problem, apparently, Where you insert the batteries matter, IE, always start with slot one, then slot two, ect.

 

[vcal]

To clarify: If you need only a maximum of 1000mA, you can start in any of the slots. (For 1500mA and 1800mA charging current choose either slot #1 or slot #4)

Just remember that the FIRST cell insertion selected current will be the MAXIMUM current available for any other cells being charged simultaneously.

 

[this_is_nascar]

I have a question. Why would one NOT want to always charge at the highest setting? For example, if I have 4-cells installed, what would make me want to charge at 200 as opposed to 1000?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Ray,

If you are lazy and don't want to bother pushing any buttons, just insert the batteries and walk away.

Edit to add:
If you have 600 mAh cells, there would be less heat developed charging at 200 mA than at 1000 mA. If you have 2500 mAh cells, the difference is mostly the amount of time it takes to charge them up.

Tom

 

[Starlight]

Ray,
I believe that batteries will last longer when charged at lower rates.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Ray,

Here is another use for the 200 mA setting. Let's suppose that you want to have a set of batteries ready to go, but don't want to leave them on continuous trickle charge.

You could hook the BC-900 to a timer like the Intermatic TN811, lift one tab and have the charger come on at 200 mA for about 30 minutes every 24 hours.

Tom

 

[JonSidneyB]

where can I find that timer?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Jon,

I got mine at Lowe's.

Tom

 

[Weylan]

I don't have this charger yet, but becareful with the timer used like this.

There is nothing wrong with the concept of doing what you are talking about under certain conditins. Hell, I am doing it too. BUT!!! Depending on the charger, and you need to check the charger. Some chargers after taking away the main current, actually discharge batteries left in the charger! So only a 1 hour charge a day may not bring the batteries to full once the charger is off. They may be much more dead then you think when you come back.

This is a great idea though and with a AC adapter for charging 12V batteries, this can be a great way to keep the battery full for when you need it and not drawing power all the time.