Q-2 HIGH SPEED Platinum "SMART" Charger

KenBar · Sep 29, 2002

Qwest Charger

I read Gandalf's thread earlier.

I could not make up my mind on chargers...so I got this one. What do you think of it?

I wanted to be able to charge 1 AAA at the same time as 2 AA. I also wanted to have it switch to trickle and not damage the batteries. I did not want to overheat (1 hour charger) and long time charges supposedly do not "fill up" a NIMH all the way. I did not have enough expertise or time to master RC chargers.

I have dealt with these folks before and was pleased with their service.

PS
In reading the fine print..I discovered this.
"
Note: Quest® NiMH Batteries can be continuously charged a 0.1C rate or less for 1 year without any leakage or deformation or damage.
"

eluminator · Sep 29, 2002

I think it's as good as any for AA cells.
Mine won't charge AAA cells because the springy
contacts aren't springy enough to touch the AAA cells.

Anybody else have this problem?

sflate · Sep 30, 2002

I haven't seen any problems charging 3-4 brands of AAA cells yet. So far, I love this charger. It's tiny, charges individual cells, you can mix and match cells, has 3 yr warranty, and what I love most is that it's one of the only ones that you can truely leave the cells in without harm.

WarrenI · Oct 5, 2002

This is one of the best AA & AAA chargers out there for NiCads & NiMHs. If you are worried about 1 hour chargers being too fast, then the Q-2 is for you. For me, I'm not too worried about 1 hour chargers being too fast as I have a Ray-O-Vac PS-4 too, and this is also a favorite of mine. If I'm in a rush, I'll top off my cells on the PS-4, then reconfirm the full charge state on the Q-2. In less than 1.5 hours, the cells are charged, reconfimed, and fully topped off. If I'm not in a rush, I'll just use the Q-2...

Best things about these two chargers; individual cell charging, problem cell detection, trickle charge mode, 12-volt car cord capability, and the best part "really brainless on the user end"...

One important thing to remember when using the Q-2, keep the door closed while charging. If you keep it open, you have a posibility that the outboard cells may be overcharged a bit. It needs to retain the heat to chemically create the negative delta voltage (full charge effect). There's no problem with the inboard cells (if using all 4 ports), as they have the side cells to block the escape of it's heat...

Don't know which cells you got with your Q-2, but if it is the 1,600mA Golds, do not ever place them in a PS-4 charger (or any other 1 hour charger). With the increased heat produced while charging, the soft plastic jacket on the Golds can't take the heat and blisters, then peels. These France made Golds are the only NIMH cells that I know that has this problem. The new Quest 1,800mA Platinum cells seems to have the same thin firm plastic jackets as everyone else. Also, they are made in China (like everyone else). Due to the request from Quest, I'll just charge these on the Q-2. They honored my request to replace my jacket damaged Golds (jacket damaged, but the cells were still fine) with Platinums, but requested that I not charge them on the PS-4. I would think the new Platinums could be OK on the PS-4, hey, they made me a request and I just honor it. Plus, Harding Energy (the Quest people) have been really great (very friendly and quick service) at customer service. Don't want to knock a good thing...

**DONOTDELETE** · Oct 6, 2002

I really love my Q2 charger. But one day when I plugged it in, the circuit didn't "reset" properly and overcharged an aa for three hours too long until I turned it off. I just plugged it in again to reset it and everything seems fine. The battery was warm but still OK. If this possibly happened in a PS4, the battery would be toast or at worst a molten mucky mess.

KenBar · Oct 6, 2002

Originally posted by Warren1

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Thanks for info about cover.
I have left mine open ( read somewhere to do that.

It works perfectly so far.

I am really pleased with the size and the ability to plug it into the car cig lighter ( that came with it).

I tried to overcharge to see what it would do...it beeped, and led turned green.