New charger from LaCrosse: BC-700

Nope, thats how they insure that some one doesn't fry their batteries on the charger from a high charge rate
 
The only difference from it's predecessor, the BC-900, is lower charging rates and a different color.

I note the default charge rate is 200mAh. That presumes a lot of confidence in their optimum charge detection and termination processes.

It will be interesting to see how it does in the real world...

It also appears from the literature they intend to make ' gentle ' charging for cell longevity a major marketing theme.
 
I note the default charge rate is 200mAh. That presumes a lot of confidence in their optimum charge detection and termination processes.

It will be interesting to see how it does in the real world...
Agreed, when charging 2700 mAh cells @ 700 mA, you're only charging at .26C . . .
 
I never had any meltdown issues with my BC-900 and still use it several times a week. I never charge at rates higher than 700ma, so that could explain my success with this charger.
 
I never had any meltdown issues with my BC-900 and still use it several times a week. I never charge at rates higher than 700ma, so that could explain my success with this charger.
Same here. I also never use the 200mA setting -- my patience is limited. No problems at all with 500 or 700 mA.
 
The other difference is there are only three charge rates available on the BC-700, those would be 200mA(default), 500mA, and 700mA. Other than that it still has all of the modes of the BC-900. Do you really think this is going to help prevent melt downs? Or do you think that LaCrosse is trying to not recommend using the higher charge rates on the BC-900?
 
Same here. I also never use the 200mA setting -- my patience is limited. No problems at all with 500 or 700 mA.
+1 more. I've used my BC-900 for a year now. At least a few times a week. Only use 500/700. I did use 1000 for a set of 2650 Duracells the other day. No problems.
 
I'd think more problems would arise from the 200 mA default than the higher, more practical charge rates.

I've been using the 1000 setting on my BC-900 several times per week. No problems so far. I elevate the charger with a metal can lid at each end and have a fan blowing on/under it. At termination the batteries are barely warm. The charger itself doesn't feel warm at all. I wish it would charge at 1500 mA with 4 batteries.
 
Yeah, I thought the overcharging/meltdown issues were from using the old version BC-900 at the 200 mA rate. The change in voltage at peak is so small that the charger sometimes didn't sense it, and kept on charging. The new version (V33 I think?) has an accumlated charge limit...I think 4000 mAH, not sure...and they lowered the overtemp point, so it'll terminate the charge at a lower overtemp point. When using higher charge rates, chargers usually have an easier time determing when batteries peak. A 1000 mA charge rate isn't going to meltdown any batteries, even AAA's...assuming proper peak detection.
 
I assumed that a BC-700 would cost significantly less than the BC-900, but when I went to check, we're talking about a $3 difference. in that case, I don't think I "get it." As an aside, it seemed that TD's $48 price for the BC-900 was higher than I recalled, so I checked Amazon and they're listing the BC-900 at $52! Holy smoke, what happened to the prices of these things when I blinked? Five months ago Amazon regularly sold these for $35 - $40 with free shipping! Maybe because the price of the "similar" Maha charger is so much higher, La Crosse thinks they can demand more for their product now that the Maha is out at a higher price?


BC-900 x 3
 
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