Lacrosse BC-900 Alpha Power Battery Charger

[arch2b]

Lacrosse BC-900 Alpha Power Battery Charger

-Works with all NiCd and NiMH “AA” and “AAA” Rechargeable Batteries
A-ll Modes Automatically Default to 200mA Charge (the optimal setting for prolonging battery life)
-Charge Both “AA” & “AAA” Rechargeable Batteries Simultaneously
-Overheat Detection to Protect Over-Charging
-Tons of Accessories Included
-Dimensions:
Charger: 3.0" x 5.1" x 1.5"

Features:

-Works with all NiCd and NiMH “AA” and “AAA” Rechargeable Batteries
-LCD shows capacity for each battery when charging is complete
-Charges AA & AAA rechargeable batteries simultaneously
-Will not charge defective batteries
-Select different charging current for each channel
-Automatically switches to trickle charge when charging is complete to ensure maximum battery capacity
-Automatically defaults to 200mA charge (the optimal setting for prolonging battery life)
-Overheat detection to protect over-charging
-7 Easy to Use Function Keys
-Charge Mode (charging current)
-Discharge Mode (discharging current)
-Refresh Mode (time elapsed)
-Test Mode (accumulated capacity)
-Included Accessories:

4-”AA” NiMH 1.2v Batteries
4-”AAA” NiMH 1.2v Batteries
Durable Nylon Travel Bag
AC Power Adapter
4-”C” Size Battery Adapters
4-”D” Size Battery Adapters

Specifications:

Charges Battery Types:
AA & AAA NiCd and NiMH

Input Voltage for AC/DC Adapter:
100-240 VAC

Charging Current Range:
200 mA - 1800 mA

manual

[shuter]

The data I read listed the default charge rate at 200mA. Meaning that if you just put your batteries in the charger and do not program a charge rate for each battery it defaults to a 200 mA charge rate.

Can anyone who has one confirm or clarify this?

[arch2b]

yes, if i place cells in and do not select a charge rate, it will charge at 200ma

[rharris]

For you guys with the LaCrosse that swear by it...

What are you charging at?

1000 - charge? Seems to give the most volts (1.49v on my intelects)

And do you use the discharge/charge setting, or just charge for every day use?

Thanks

[GrfxDan]

Originally Posted by rharris

For you guys with the LaCrosse that swear by it...

What are you charging at?

1000 - charge? Seems to give the most volts (1.49v on my intelects)

And do you use the discharge/charge setting, or just charge for every day use?

Thanks

Good questions. I just got one of these chargers today along with some new batteries. I haven't used either yet. Is it safe to use the 1800mAh setting on AAA Intellects? That would be about 2C and should only take about 30 minutes, correct?

Any recommendations on conditioning new batteries?

[shuter]

The most reliable and definative sources agree that the optimum charge rate for AA & AAA NiMH batteries is between .5C and 1C. Higher rates tend to get the batteries quite hot. Heat is the enemy and can cause perminant damage to your battery. I have had Intellect AAA batteries that got hot enough to bulge the flat negative end so it would no longer fit in my Mini-Z when charged on a Duracell 30 min. charger that produces a charge rate of 2C. Imagine the internal pressure necessary to bulge the end of the battery. Imagine the tiny internal seperators being distorted. Can't be good. The smaller the battery the more fragile it is and AAA batteries are pretty small.