Newbie ??'s For new LSD's & BC-700 Charger

[Mvpemmitt]

OK guys here goes. Jumped in with both feet! Hope I dont drown! lol

After research here regarding batteries and charger I ended up with: (In order)

Dug up a Energizer CHM4AA Charger from the garage, think I got it from a garage sale a while back. (AA-2 X 2.8V DC 150 maH~AAA-2 X 2.8V DC 50 maH) 15 hour timed


RAV Hybrids 6AA +2 AAA w/PS32 Charger~$16.99 shipped Amazon (bought and opened before I found this forum, sigh.... oh well)

Eneloop 8 AA +2 AAA w/MQ6 charger (I know MQ5 is better, but didnt have any choice in the matter) + C+D Adapters~$30.xx shipped Amazon

Radio Shack precharged 36 AA~($3.60/2pk)+ 4 AAA~($2.66/2pk) bought locally. Bought because of the Eneloop availability issue as well as half the cost, allowing greater quantities of batteries for a lower price to enter the LSD rechargeable game!

And Finally a La Crosse BC-700~$27.70 shipped CyberGuys




**Disclaimer**As far as the Radio Shack LSD's, I believe theyre not the greatest from what very limited info I could find, but im not using them in a digi cam so I think/HOPE I will be fine....IF ANYONE CAN SHARE ANY INFO ON THEM IT WOULD BE GREAT!!!..... hint.... hint.... Are these a re-badged "X-brand" battery? They appear different than the Eneloop for sure. They have the black around the top but do not have small holes (for venting?) near the top positive terminal like the Hybrids. (Maybe I should make a new thread for this question?)

Now to the point. I dont know how or what I should use the BC-700 for besides a simple charge.

Should I
1.) Use "Test Mode" To determine real "Capacity"
2.) Use "Refresh Mode" Is this for "Old" batteries only
3.) Use "Discharge Mode" Should I ever need/use this?
4.) Just "Charge" and go?

Im in no hurry and want to do whatever is best to keep these going like the bunny we are all familiar with.

I am also willing to share any info from the RS PC batteries, since there doesnt seem to be much info on them. But I will need suggestions on what numbers/specs to track as well as where to get the info from the BC-700. After all I am a Noob!...:nana:

As far as the other chargers, should I toss the ROV dumb charger and the Energizer 15 hour timed charger? Or would they have any use?

The Sanyo is a smart charger with a 300 maH charge rate correct? That one should be safe to use? OR should I just use the BC-700 for all charging and only use the Sanyo if I need more than 4 batteries charging at once? Or since the Energizer is such a low charge should I use that one as long as the batteries stay cool?

Thanks, you guys are great!:twothumbs

 

[Mvpemmitt]

:thinking:Um...... Buehler....... Buehler.......

Hello?..... anybody home?....


What?...... Do I smell?..... :eeew:

Come one guys? Are all the resident gurus under rocks somewhere performing Eneloop self discharge tests or what?....:candle:

 

[Marduke]

I would test them check the capacity. This will clue you in if any of them have a lower than expected capacity and need a couple forming cycles.

 

[Mvpemmitt]

I would test them check the capacity. This will clue you in if any of them have a lower than expected capacity and need a couple forming cycles.

Thanks for the input Marduke! Yeah, after no responses, I just put in set of 4 eneloop AA's and used the Test mode.

How long does that take? They have been in there for more than 24 hours!! is that normal? Just wondering. Cuz if I should "Test" all my batteries I just bought then, thats going to take weeks based on this first one!

Doesnt the Test mode just charge them up then discharge them, and then charge them up again? (so basically 3 cycles: charge/discharge/charge) Then it gives you an estimated capacity? That is how I understood the instructions that it came with.

Now the Refresh mode does similar things as far as charge/discharge/charge/discharge/etc/etc until the battery no longer gains any more charge than the last one. Correct? So, how many cycles it goes through can depend on the battery(ies)

The Discharge setting really doesnt come into play until later on in its life span when it doesnt charge fully anymore?

Where are Niconical, mdocod, Mr Happy, cave dave, and Lynx_Arc?
I figured those guys would have some great info or point me in the direction if its already available. They were a big help in me deciding on batteries and charger to begin with!

Thanks again guys for all the previous help and future as well! :thumbsup:

 

[Black Rose]

What did you select as the charging current for the test mode?

If you left it at the default value (200 mAh) it will take approx 10 hours to charge (if the batteries are empty), approx 20 hours to discharge (100 mAh), and approx another 10 to charge up again.

 

[Mvpemmitt]

What did you select as the charging current for the test mode?

If you left it at the default value (200 mAh) it will take approx 10 hours to charge (if the batteries are empty), approx 20 hours to discharge (100 mAh), and approx another 10 to charge up again.

YUP!! Thats what I did. From what I had been reading from the forums, I thought that was the best to use because of the low current. What current can I use that wont be too hard on the batteries? Or should I stick with 200?

It is still running the test so hopefully by tomorrow morning it should be done! Whew!....

 

[changcl]

Hi,

How did you get the charger for a La Crosse BC-700~$27.70 shipped from CyberGuys?

Thanks

 

[Marduke]

I'm impatient, when first running through my rather large collection of AA's to check for duds, I just put a fan blowing and the charger and set it to 1A.

Keep in mind I had >100 cells to go through.

Now after that several week process of 2-3 test cycles per day, I have reverted to using a more gentile charge of 500-700mA for AA cells.