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  #1   Report Post  
John Stumbles
 
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Default SAFE intelligent NiMH charger?

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg
  #2   Report Post  
Frank Erskine
 
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On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


I can definitely recommend the Ansmann Digispeed 4.

I think it costs around £50, but it was supplied to me by work!

--
Frank Erskine
  #3   Report Post  
Ian
 
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On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles wrote:
Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


Could the fact that it was on the wrong setting maybe explain the fireworks...?!

:-)

--
Ian

'Milk below!'
  #4   Report Post  
Richard
 
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John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


I have one of these units. So far so good . . . .

Richard

--
Real email address is RJS at BIGFOOT dot COM

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may not be published in, or used by

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  #5   Report Post  
John Stumbles
 
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Ian wrote:
On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg



Could the fact that it was on the wrong setting maybe explain the fireworks...?!

:-)


Oops!

Don't think that was the entire problem though: it's cooked several
other sets of cells (AAs though, which haven't suffered so drastically:
just got _very_ hot) and I'm pretty sure it was set correctly on at
least some of those occassions.

Point is a charger with an effective safety cutout might not help
preserve the cells' lifetimes but could make the difference to ours :-|


  #6   Report Post  
Tony Eva
 
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John Stumbles wrote:
Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


http://www.vanson.com.hk/details/p3035.html claims that your (ex)
charger did all that already. Looks like a refund is in order - you
can definitely say that the "temperature sensors to avoid ...
over-heating" weren't working!

Maybe it's just a case of cheap = not so cheerful?

--
Tony
  #7   Report Post  
The Natural Philosopher
 
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Tony Eva wrote:

John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg



http://www.vanson.com.hk/details/p3035.html claims that your (ex)
charger did all that already. Looks like a refund is in order - you
can definitely say that the "temperature sensors to avoid ...
over-heating" weren't working!

Maybe it's just a case of cheap = not so cheerful?

Don't need all of that crap. Decent fast delta peak detecting charger
avialable from any model shop will charge 4-10 cells in series fast
accurately and safely.

You will have to arrange your own cradles, or do as I did, and modify
equipment to take model type packs.

  #8   Report Post  
John Stumbles
 
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The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Tony Eva wrote:

John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg




http://www.vanson.com.hk/details/p3035.html claims that your (ex)
charger did all that already. Looks like a refund is in order - you
can definitely say that the "temperature sensors to avoid ...
over-heating" weren't working!

Maybe it's just a case of cheap = not so cheerful?

Don't need all of that crap. Decent fast delta peak detecting charger
avialable from any model shop will charge 4-10 cells in series fast
accurately and safely.

You will have to arrange your own cradles, or do as I did, and modify
equipment to take model type packs.


I need something that'll charge cells independently because often enough
odd numbers of cells get used in kids' toys, so you end up with a
handful at different - and unknown - states of charge.
  #9   Report Post  
Stefek Zaba
 
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John Stumbles wrote:


I need something that'll charge cells independently because often enough
odd numbers of cells get used in kids' toys, so you end up with a
handful at different - and unknown - states of charge.


I'm very happy with a "FRIWO Exclusiv" I picked up from somewhere
(Canford Audio?) - 4 separate charging ways, each will take an AAA, AA,
C, or D cell, each gives a little display of existing state of charge,
and alleges to cater automagically for NiMH and NiCd.

So I try typing

FRIWO Exclusiv

into google. It's clear from the results that their prime market is
Germany and the Scandinavian countries ;-) Ah, it's called the "FRIWO
Gigabox", it seems; and Googling with those two words reveals at least
one UK supplier - who wants 95 notes for one!! As the price in its
native market seems to be around 90 Euros (still not cheap), I'll leave
you to repeat the Googling. (Canford no longer supply the Gigabox, I see).

If you only want a couple of cells individually charging, it'd be
cheaper to knock something up yourself using the Maxim charge-control
ICs - they're a few quid apiece from RS, plus PSU, cell holders, and so
on, plus the time to connect it all together (of course) using the
supplied Application Note suggestive circuit diagram.

As our favourite Philosopher Of The Natural World notes, the
model-control world is addicted to good fast chargers, though theirs
tends to be for whole packs where the individual cells can be expected
to be in a similar state of charge, rather than for individual cells in
odd-numbered combinations and varying states of charge.

(On the 'dissapointed' front, I did pick up a 10-way charger from one of
the better-known UK specialist rechargeable battery shops. Despite the
description I thought I'd read, it did cook NiMH cells that were left on
charge for a long time - p'raps its idea of "trickle" wasn't the C/50
rate recommended for NiMH but the C/10 one which any "normal" slow
charger pushes in, but in any case NiMH cells were getting notably warm
to the touch after an extended period in that - which in the Gigabox
they certainly don't (but still seem to be fully laden with coulombs ;-)

HTH - Stefek
  #10   Report Post  
T i m
 
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On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 15:54:07 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Tony Eva wrote:

John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg



http://www.vanson.com.hk/details/p3035.html claims that your (ex)
charger did all that already. Looks like a refund is in order - you
can definitely say that the "temperature sensors to avoid ...
over-heating" weren't working!

Maybe it's just a case of cheap = not so cheerful?

Don't need all of that crap. Decent fast delta peak detecting charger
avialable from any model shop will charge 4-10 cells in series fast
accurately and safely.

You will have to arrange your own cradles, or do as I did, and modify
equipment to take model type packs.


I need something that'll charge cells independently because often enough
odd numbers of cells get used in kids' toys, so you end up with a
handful at different - and unknown - states of charge.


I have a combination of the above ;-)

An "Ansman Power Line 5" that is supposed to deal with Nicad or NiMh
cells from AAA to D. It does get the smaller cells quite warm but does
do 4 off individually.

I have a few Uniross 'Plug Top' type chargers that I think charge
cells in pairs (but also get the cells too hot for my tastes)

The 'best' charger is an GWS-MC2002 variable current Delta peak one
from a model shop. As mentioned you do have to set up clips to take
your various cells but it will do any number from 4-10 and at a
current rate of your choice. Being 12V powered means you can also
charge stuff when in the car and camping etc ;-)

All the best ..

T i m


  #11   Report Post  
 
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Stefek Zaba wrote:

If you only want a couple of cells individually charging, it'd be
cheaper to knock something up yourself using the Maxim charge-control
ICs - they're a few quid apiece from RS, plus PSU, cell holders, and so
on, plus the time to connect it all together (of course) using the
supplied Application Note suggestive circuit diagram.

You can get free samples direct from Maxim if you ask, I got two a
while ago, and *lots* of free application notes ever since.

--
Chris Green
  #12   Report Post  
The Natural Philosopher
 
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John Stumbles wrote:

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Tony Eva wrote:

John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg




http://www.vanson.com.hk/details/p3035.html claims that your (ex)
charger did all that already. Looks like a refund is in order - you
can definitely say that the "temperature sensors to avoid ...
over-heating" weren't working!

Maybe it's just a case of cheap = not so cheerful?

Don't need all of that crap. Decent fast delta peak detecting charger
avialable from any model shop will charge 4-10 cells in series fast
accurately and safely.

You will have to arrange your own cradles, or do as I did, and modify
equipment to take model type packs.



I need something that'll charge cells independently because often enough
odd numbers of cells get used in kids' toys, so you end up with a
handful at different - and unknown - states of charge.


Probably will chrage a single. I've just never tried. The delta peak
will be smaller of course.
  #13   Report Post  
Pete C
 
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On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


Hi,

The switch on the charger is set to 'Ni Cd' and it looks like the
batteries are Ni Mh. Also are these new cells? When new cells can have
a tendancy to overheat when fast charged.

I wouldn't charge 650mAh AAAs in these anyway, putting 2A into
something like that is bound to make it get very hot. If the cells
aren't in close contact with the charger there will be no thermal
protection.

I have this charger and when the AA cells were new they would get hot
and thermal cutout would operate before they were fully charged. I got
round this by running a small fan on them.

If you don't need to recharge partially charged cells and aren't in a
hurry, a simple timer charger is best. 7 day shop have a good deal on
one with 8 AAs. For small sized batteries a plug in 24 hr timeswitch
can be used to limit the charge time.

cheers,
Pete.
  #14   Report Post  
chris French
 
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In message , Frank Erskine
writes
On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


I can definitely recommend the Ansmann Digispeed 4.

I think it costs around £50, but it was supplied to me by work!


Second that - I've got an Ansmann charger -very good.

--
Chris French, Leeds
  #15   Report Post  
The Natural Philosopher
 
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Default

Pete C wrote:

On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:


Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg



Hi,

The switch on the charger is set to 'Ni Cd' and it looks like the
batteries are Ni Mh. Also are these new cells? When new cells can have
a tendancy to overheat when fast charged.

I wouldn't charge 650mAh AAAs in these anyway, putting 2A into
something like that is bound to make it get very hot. If the cells
aren't in close contact with the charger there will be no thermal
protection.


charge NiMh at no more than their capaicity i.e. 650mA in this case.

Packs of these used a lot by modellers. Model style chargers will charge
them.



  #16   Report Post  
chris French
 
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In message , Peter Ramm
writes
On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 15:54:07 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Tony Eva wrote:

John Stumbles wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

Maybe it's just a case of cheap = not so cheerful?

Don't need all of that crap. Decent fast delta peak detecting charger
avialable from any model shop will charge 4-10 cells in series fast
accurately and safely.

You will have to arrange your own cradles, or do as I did, and modify
equipment to take model type packs.


I need something that'll charge cells independently because often enough
odd numbers of cells get used in kids' toys, so you end up with a
handful at different - and unknown - states of charge.



I use a torch to totally discharge all to the same empty status before
recharging.



Yeah but that is another thing to do....., to forget to do, etc.

Yes you can do this, you can use model pack type chargers and fiddle
around with moding stuff or makeing up a cradle etc. (and if you want to
do this fine, it's a not a criticism of some ones choice)

But IMO it's just so much easier to by decent charger as mentioned, keep
it in handy location and just pop the batteries in when they need it
--
Chris French, Leeds
  #17   Report Post  
raden
 
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In message , John Stumbles
writes
Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


Hmm... High capacity NiMH with the switch in NiCd position

might that have anything to do with it ?

--
geoff
  #18   Report Post  
John Stumbles
 
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raden wrote:
In message , John Stumbles
writes

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg



Hmm... High capacity NiMH with the switch in NiCd position

might that have anything to do with it ?


Partly, but as someone else pointed out the mfr claims thermal cutout
and this charger obviously doesn't have that. Several other times I've
had AA cells (NiMH) cooked so hot the plastic sleeve has split. I'm
pretty sure the switch wasn't set to NiCd on all of these occasions.
  #19   Report Post  
Dave Plowman (News)
 
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In article ,
Peter Ramm wrote:
I use a torch to totally discharge all to the same empty status before
recharging.


Not a good idea to run them totally flat.

--
*A fool and his money are soon partying *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
  #20   Report Post  
W
 
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On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 02:51:46 GMT, John Stumbles
wrote:

Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I.E. not like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.stumbles/charger.jpg


I use a Maha MH-C401FW (doesn't take AAA cells) but they probably do
another model that does. I would highly recommend it.

W



  #21   Report Post  
Colin Brook
 
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In message on Sat, 6 Nov 2004,
John Stumbles wrote
Looking for a fast, intelligent charger for AA and AAA NiMHs (and
NiCds), with independent charge control for each cell, and effective
time and/or temperature safety cutoffs.

I've been very happy with the Ansmann PowerLine 4 which I bought a while
ago now from Budget Batteries. They now appear to have also other
Powerline models which might suit better:

http://www.budgetbatteries.co.uk/ - follow links to online store and
accessories.

Regards, Colin
--
Colin Brook - Winchester (UK)

Fax:+44(0)8701641293 Mobile:07976258703
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