Maha MH-C9000 0G01A

[jkraus]

Today, I receiced a Maha MH-C9000 0G01A from Maha Corporation. Is that old stock or brandnew one? If it is old, inhowfar would it be different from my 0G0D01.

According to another thread, the order of firmeware/serial numbers is:

0FAB01
0FAB02
0G0B01
0G0C01
0G0D01
0G0E01
0G0E02
Mine does not fit into this scheme and must be hence new (if this list is correct!).

 

[jkraus]

TEstrunning the 0G01A (0G0IA) against the 0G0D01. First observation during break in mode: after ca. 12 h of charging at 0.1C, the indicated voltage is at 1.5/1.51 V at the 0G01A, whereas it is at 1.45/1.43V at the 0G0D01. Significance?

 

[Zenster]

TEstrunning the 0G01A (0G0IA) against the 0G0D01. First observation during break in mode: after ca. 12 h of charging at 0.1C, the indicated voltage is at 1.5/1.51 V at the 0G01A, whereas it is at 1.45/1.43V at the 0G0D01. Significance?

Not likely. A charge rate of .1C is so low that the charger, ANY charger, can miss the transition a little because of the very slow rate of voltage change.
Also, the starting condition of the battery itself could effect voltage at that point.

I wouldn't give it any further thought. Just use it. Way too much time is given to tiny differences, but this isn't rocket science. It's just battery charging.

Lot's of products are labeled with varying build numbers, and they mostly have to do with manufacturing batches or facility locations and stuff like that.
If you want to buy a new charger every time the batch number changes, you're going to end up with a LOT of chargers.

 

[Mr Happy]

TEstrunning the 0G01A (0G0IA) against the 0G0D01. First observation during break in mode: after ca. 12 h of charging at 0.1C, the indicated voltage is at 1.5/1.51 V at the 0G01A, whereas it is at 1.45/1.43V at the 0G0D01. Significance?

I have 0G0D01 and Eneloops do generally show 1.50/1.51 V after 12 hours on break in mode. Is the 1.45 V seen with exactly the same cells that show 1.50 V on the other charger? I've noticed that Eneloops for instance show higher voltages on charge and discharge than other kinds of cell.

Not likely. A charge rate of .1C is so low that the charger, ANY charger, can miss the transition a little because of the very slow rate of voltage change.

But break-in mode is a 16 hour timed charge at 0.1 C, so there is no transition here to detect or miss? The voltage on break-in mode I think is a function of the individual species of cell.

 

[TorchBoy]

But break-in mode is a 16 hour timed charge at 0.1 C, so there is no transition here to detect or miss? The voltage on break-in mode I think is a function of the individual species of cell.

Yep and yep.

 

[jkraus]

I have 0G0D01 and Eneloops do generally show 1.50/1.51 V after 12 hours on break in mode. Is the 1.45 V seen with exactly the same cells that show 1.50 V on the other charger?

Yes, same set of cells!

 

[servaas]

Today, I receiced a Maha MH-C9000 0G01A from Maha Corporation. Is that old stock or brandnew one? If it is old, inhowfar would it be different from my 0G0D01.

According to another thread, the order of firmeware/serial numbers is:

0FAB01
0FAB02
0G0B01
0G0C01
0G0D01
0G0E01
0G0E02
Mine does not fit into this scheme and must be hence new (if this list is correct!).

Yes, it is the newest firmware revision. We have been receiving OG0IA stock from Maha for about 4 weeks now.

 

[Zenster]

Yes, it is the newest firmware revision. We have been receiving OG0IA stock from Maha for about 4 weeks now.

Allow me to clarify your comment about OG01A being the "latest firmware", and explain it with information that came directly from a technician at Maha, California.
Yes, OG01A is the latest firmware, not because it's "OG01A", but because it BEGINS with "OG".

The firmware designation is ONLY the first two letters. That is, in the list given in the first post, the numbers that begin with "OF" are of the same firmware, and the entire rest of the list that begin with "OG" are all of the same firmware.
In that entire list, only two different firmwares are represented, not seven. "OF" is one firmware, and "OG" is a different firmware.

I presume that if/when a new series starts with "OH", then that will designate a new firmware.

All of the numbers and letters that follow the first two digits in those numbers are simply batch numbers that have nothing to do with firmware.
Batch numbers are changed regularly in production of all types of products, and often, they may only indicate a date range of manufacturing with no changes to the product at all.
The reason is simple, for example, a rash of failures in a particular batch number will help a manufacturer track QC issues, perhaps in their own production line, or even to determine if one of their vendors has changed specs on supplied parts for the product within the date range of a particular batch number.
Additionally, particular digits within a product number often indicate specific information, such as ONLY the first two numbers in the C-9000's number indicating the firmware.

I didn't have this information when I wrote Post#3 above, but I can see that my intuition (based on experience with this stuff), was correct.
Hope this helps those who go bonkers every time a new batch is run with a different batch, not firmware, number.

 

[wptski]

Granted there's lots to read about the MAHA CH-9000 but hardly anybody does, so repetitive questions just go on and on! I've seen this same question come up several times before and I guess that it'll continue till the "search" fiunction is used more often.

 

[NA8]

I remember when people were more concerned with circuit board revisions in a product. The LaCrosse for instance had a couple of different circuit boards, but some say the firmware didn't really change.

 

[Rzr800]

Quick question:

Will my MH C-9000 currently in transit contain detailed instructions as to how I should "properly" charge my Eneloops (both break in and in normal use) or am I better off trying to decipher what others have offered here over time? I also have an UltraFire WF-139 on the way with AW's protected 18650's and 14500's; yet I'm beginning to trust what CPFers come up with daily...as I don't see the manuals for these chargers quoted up here very often.

This newbie sheepishly figured that recharging batteries in the 21st century would be as simple as sticking them in there and taking them off when the light turned green (or even leaving them on with no harm done).

Not trying to bypass the search feature...just simply wondering exactly how much time it is going to take to figure this all out and where I should start! :thinking: :sigh:

 

[Mr Happy]

This newbie sheepishly figured that recharging batteries in the 21st century would be as simple as sticking them in there and taking them off when the light turned green (or even leaving them on with no harm done).

Well, you know, a C-9000 is perhaps not the best choice for someone who desires that level of simplicity...

However, that said, all you need to do to charge your Eneloops is put them in the charger and wait until it says "Done".

The C-9000's instructions are not exactly a book, but they do contain the basic details of how to use each function. Eneloops don't really seem to need breaking in, but if you want to do so the instructions for the C-9000 tell you what to do.

 

[servaas]

Quick question:

Will my MH C-9000 currently in transit contain detailed instructions as to how I should "properly" charge my Eneloops ...

No, there is no specific information in the manual regarding how to best charge or break-in Low Discharge batteries. I would suggest a gentle discharge, say 400mA, then a gently charge of 800mA.

Has anyone shown a 'forming charge" to be beneficial to LSD batteries performance or longevity?

 

[Rzr800]

Hey servaas, thanks a bunch; you just saved me a lot of reading. I am assuming that I will not find the same info for brand new Li-Ions in the manual for this WF-139. So much for my 'plug-n-play' optimism regarding the proper charging of batteries; yet at least this charger seems to offer me more than most others out there for the price after I get a little more educated through the search function.

Again, thanks for your reply.

 

[Rzr800]

Well, you know, a C-9000 is perhaps not the best choice for someone who desires that level of simplicity...

However, that said, all you need to do to charge your Eneloops is put them in the charger and wait until it says "Done".

The C-9000's instructions are not exactly a book, but they do contain the basic details of how to use each function. Eneloops don't really seem to need breaking in, but if you want to do so the instructions for the C-9000 tell you what to do.

Thanks, Mr. H!
I was afraid that if I didn't purchase something that told me what the charge was before and after..that I'd never be able to monitor the condition of the batteries themselves over time. It's interesting to me that you have one opinion as to breaking in these things on the C-9000 and servaas suggests another; will I find this range of opinions in regards to the Li-ions as well?

I am sure that this will all be revealed to me in time (hey, reading CPFer's opinions through the search engine is more entertaining than a manual any day) and I surely want to thank you also for chiming in.:thanks:

 

[TorchBoy]

I would suggest a gentle discharge, say 400mA, then a gently charge of 800mA.

Based on what? A 800mA charge is 0.4C for an Eneloop AA, and even less for a higher capacity cell. The instructions do say charging at less than 0.33C is not recommended, but Will Chueh from Maha later said he didn't recommend less than 0.5C. I think he also mentioned "misprint".

So much for my 'plug-n-play' optimism regarding the proper charging of batteries;

Yes, you can just plug Eneloops AAs straight in, do nothing, and they will be properly charged (at a recommended 0.5C).

 

[Rzr800]

I appreciate every one of your opinions on how this charger works and you all have just saved me a ton of time researching its feeding with Eneloops; which is greatly appreciated. It's really nice to spend this much money on the charger; not to mention the batteries that go with it and be confident that it was all time/money well spent.

 

[TorchBoy]

it was all time/money well spent.

Yep. :twothumbs

 

[Zenster]

I appreciate every one of your opinions on how this charger works and you all have just saved me a ton of time researching its feeding with Eneloops...

But here's one more "opinion" D) that you should consider as well:

Is the MH-C9000 compatible with the new "low self-discharge" batteries (e.g. Sanyo Eneloop)?

Yes. Follow the same charging rate recommendations for general NiMH batteries.

From the Maha FAQ about the C-9000 Charger at:
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/mhc9000faq.asp

 

[Rzr800]

But here's one more "opinion" D) that you should consider as well:
From the Maha FAQ about the C-9000 Charger at:
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/mhc9000faq.asphttp://www.mahaenergy.com/store/mhc9000faq.asp

Note to self: (obscure reference to "Bob and Tom" radio show here in the states): http://www.bobandtom.com/gen3/index.htm

"Thanks Mr. Obvious...why I never made the connection!..."

Googling "Maha C9000" and "FAQ" would have served me well also...

Thanks, zenster and you also Torchboy for the quick assurance.