New Maha charger MH-C401FS

[T-Rex]

Okay,

MH-401FS

Positives:
Multiple charge rates.
4 independent charging circuits

Negatives $49!! at thomas distributing.

Opinions/rants/minutiae

 

[bmsmith]

Looks like a nice charger.

The FLEX negative pulse stuff has been in RC chargers for a few years now. It's supposed to "burp" the cells during charging to reduce the amount of crystalization of molecules that form on the plates inside the cell. These "crystals" can cause shorting and other problems which negatively impact cell life and capacity.

The 4 charging circuits is a definite plus.

- Brian

 

[Deleted member 684]

Is there any conclusive evidence that burp charging can reduce the amount of crystalization? I have seen many RC charger companies offering it. But is there any experiment or research done to prove it? I am interested...

 

[Lux Luthor]

This looks to be a really good charger. Selectable between 5 hr. and 100 min. and comes with 4 1800mah PowerEx AAs. It's also really small. I would be interested in any reviews of this charger. I'd like something like this to replace my Rayovac PS4.

 

[Vikas Sontakke]

Are you having any specific problems with Rayovac PS4 or are you worried that it *might* cook your batteries?

- Vikas

 

[Lux Luthor]

Originally posted by Vikas Sontakke:
Are you having any specific problems with Rayovac PS4 or are you worried that it *might* cook your batteries?

- Vikas

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I haven't had any problems with it, but as you said it does concern me that the batteries will deteriorate. I'd like to have the dual charging rate option, since often I don't need to charge that rapidly.

 

[bmsmith]

Nerd: I've wondered the exact same thing as you about the "benefits" of negative pulse charging. I've yet to see proof, except the winners of the RC Worlds competitions seem to use chargers that have the feature.

I found an interesting article that discusses a few of the charging methods used by chargers: http://www.actcharge.com/pdf/ita.pdf

Check out page 4 especially.

- Brian

 

[Saaby]

Hmmm...they don't like it too much, but then again they're selling their own version of it.

 

[domeng]

try this site for info re advantage of reflex charging: www.galaxypower.com. goto services and the nasa studies. i built several nicd nimh chargers based charge-ic's from philips, maxim-ic, benchmarq, motorola, and this quicksaver. nothing compares to the one made from quicksaver ic. the main problem i encountered with quick chargers (~0.7C to 2C rate) is when to stop. all others ic's failed at one point or another and your only cutoff point is the maximum charge duration. if the cutoff is very reliable, meaning charger stops when the battery is really fully charge or almost fully charge (90%+), it will let you use the same charger for different battery sizes or capacity. furthermore, using simple voltage divider circuit and shorting pins you can easily use it to charge batteries with different number of cells. my home-built quicksaver chargers have been very good to my
batteries of different sizes and number of cells for years now. in fact, i am still using the 1100mah AA nicd panasonic i bought from costco when they first came out.

i hope this charger uses this ic. have fun

 

[Deviant]

domeng,

that's interesting. do u have any pics of your home-made charger?

 

[Vikas Sontakke]

Yesterday, I picked up the Rayovac PS4 at Target. It was a very good deal. I got the charger with 2x1600AA batteries and 4x1800AA batteries for total of $35.00 The charger and 2 batteries was for $30 and the 4 batteries were for $12 but the charger pack had an instant coupon for $7 off if you buy them together.

I really wanted to upgrade from my dumb Panasonic 5-hr charger and at about half than the new Maha, I wanted to give Rayovac a chance.

Anybody knows for sure if Rayovac does trickle charge?

- Vikas

 

[domeng]

saint tanic,
bear with me. i just took a film photograph of the charger with some of the battery holders i used. it will take about a week before i get the developed prints and post the scanned images. i hope it is of acceptable quality. i could also send you the circuit diagram if it is of interest to you. thanks.

 

[B@rt]

Hi Domeng,
I've been looking for a good charger for some time. Yours sounds great! If possible, could you mail me the the circuit diagram too? If you want I can put up a pic-link to it.

TIA,

 

[Deviant]

domeng,

appreciate the effort. you are going through so much trouble for the pics.

do send me the circuit diagram. thanx. my email is in the mail button above

 

[B@rt]

 

[Willmore]

I have heard good things about small, periodic negetive charge periods thrown into a charge profile. What I've read on them was to do with crystal growth and how the reverse phase kept large crystals from forming--which makes sense as the negetive charge tears them down preferentially--so if you do it on a small enough time base, you should be able to prevent their formation. There's nothing about that sounds 'hoakey' unlike 99% of what you hear out of vendors of stuff like this.

This looks to be a good charger and I'd pick one up if I didn't already have *way* too many battery chargers.

Maha makes good stuff, too. Then again, so does Ray-O-Vac--one of the only domestic battery companies that I have *any* faith in.

 

[B@rt]

Here are some pics domeng sent me of his charger.

Thanks domeng!

 

[Deviant]

Yes thanx to domeng.

sorry could have replied to u via mail earlier, i was caught up with work. thanx for sharing

 

[Brock]

Well I just got my 401F. I like it. I like the ability to gently charge my batteries over night, yet still have the ability to charge them in under 2 hours if I need to. Now I can finally charge the 3 cells from some of my lights and my FRS radios without any worry. YAAAAAA. Did I mention I like this charger?

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I still like my variable dc power supply hooked up to a waring commercial timer. charge at any rate, set the voltage limit anywhere you need to, if the battery gets up to the preset limit the unit stops charging, what could be simpler, or more adaptable to any battery? ..1-30 volts, 0-3 amps...