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La Crosse BC-900 Advanced Charger
AT A GLANCE
INTRODUCTION
Without a doubt, this is the best battery charger I've ever used, and I've used many! It’s light, compact and with its companion travel bag is ready to go with you anywhere. It's intelligent, flexible and can handle for AA and AAA as well as C and D (with the included adapters) Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries to a maximum charging capacity of 3000mAh (and it will be a while before we get there)! This charger is for everyone searching for the very best in battery charging performance. Its advanced features are unsurpassed by all the other NiMH rechargers. Let’s take a look at its features and functionality. There are four separate charging banks (as with most other chargers) with one big difference. Each bank is independent of the others thus allowing for optimal charging each set of batteries (not available on other similar chargers. Each separate charging bank has its own four Charging Modes:
• CHARGE: In this mode, batteries are fully charged according to the selected current. • DISCHARGE: Each cell is first drained then recharged to full capacity conditioning weak or under-performing cells (an important feature not available on most other chargers). • REFRESH: A truly innovative mode. Each cell goes through a series of CHARGE/DISCHARGE cycles, in an attempt to increase their capacity. When no further increases are obtained, the charging is complete. • TEST: This very useful mode charges each cell then drains them to determine each ones actual mAh capacity. With this mode, the user can easily determine what the actual capacity of any brand of battery and compare the results to what is claimed. With some record keeping, you can also monitor each battery’s life and determine which ones last the longest.
Unlike other rechargers, the BC-900 charging current is adjustable for not only each charging mode, but for each charging bank from 200 mAh up to 1800 mAh. Therefore, you can slow charge (trickle) to protect your batteries or rapid charge a 2000mAh cell in 70 minutes using its top charging power. (Note: 200mA, 500mA, 700mA and 1000mA currents are available for 1-4 charging cells and 1500mA and 1800mA are only available for 2 cells. The higher charging currents > 1000 mA can cause excessive battery heat and diminish the life of batteries if used often). You would think with the features discussed so far would make the BC-900 a remarkable charger in itself. But, just when you think it’s as good as can get, another feature makes this charger even more remarkable. Each bank of the BC-900 is fully customizable! What does that mean? Well, it gives you the flexibility to run different charging modes on separate batteries. For example, In bank one, you could set to Test mode, bank two set to Charge mode, bank three set to Refresh mode and bank four set to Discharge mode or any combination you could want or need. This is a truly remarkable feature! This is accomplished using four separate programmable control buttons and LCD readout displays. Each bank is programmed by the user by pressing each control button until the desired mode and charging current is reached. It’s that simple! You can then scroll through following six unique display modes to monitor each banks progress.
1. CHARGING CURRENT - Indicates the mA charge rate. 2. DISCHARGING CURRENT - Indicates mA discharging rate. 3. TIME ELAPSED - Indicates charging and discharging times. 4. ACCUMULATED CAPACITY - Shows the accumulated amount of energy to the present. 5. TERMINAL VOLTAGE - Displays the present voltage of any inserted cell. 6. FULL - Automatically switches to trickle mode when finished charging.
Once each battery reaches full capacity, the display indicates FULL and the charger bank shuts off and a continuous variable rate trickle charge begins determined by the original charging current. Finally, the BV-900 comes equipped with two very important safety features to protect your batteries from irreparable damage. An onboard thermal sensor automatically shuts the charger down if battery temperatures reach 127°F. It is also designed with short circuit and overload protection to prevent internal circuitry damage.
SPECIFICATIONS
Separate AC power adapter, 100 - 240 V 50 - 60 Hz (runs anywhere on Earth with the right passive travel adaptor) You may choose the charge rate: 200, 500, 700 or 1,000 mA. Default is 200 mA. Discharge rate is half the charge rate: 100, 250, 350 or 500 mA. Default is 100 mA. Comes with four AA and four AAA Ni-MH cells. It also comes with passive adapters to let you use AA cells in items that require C or D cells, and a great case to carry it all. It determines end-of charge both by temperature and voltage drop. Discharge cuts off at 0.9V per cell. Modes: 1) Regular charge. 2) Discharge before charge. 3) Repeated charge/discharge cycles until maximum capacity is reached. 4) Test: runs through a cycle to test the cell's capacity. Also reads and tests the accumulated capacity of cells in most modes.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
After using this charger, I can honestly say it is the best and most versatile charger I ever used! Not only did I charge a new set of batteries, I used it to refresh some older sets of batteries with significant results. I use AA batteries in my flash units (Canon 420EX, 550EX and MR-14EX) and find myself having to change older batteries more frequent with each recharge. After rejuvenating them with the BC-900 in the refresh mode, they gave me significantly more flashes thus less frequent battery changing. In the test mode, I was able to identify a number of my batteries to have les than half the rated capacity. The only drawback I found was the difficulty reading the LCD display at certain angles and lighting conditions. And after using regular chargers (insert batteries, plug in and wait for the light), it took me a little while to get accustomed to actually selecting options for a battery charger.
RECOMENDATIONS
What can I say…….You have to get one if you want to get the maximum potential out of your older batteries as well as any new ones you purchase. I’ve already retired all my other chargers and rely on the La Crosse BC-900 exclusively. Along with the charger, you receive:
(Uses any AA battery with adapter to power electronics requiring C size batteries)
(Uses any AA battery with adapter to power electronics requiring D batteries)
You get all this and, for a limited time only, Thomas Batteries will include discounted or free shipping with on your entire order (See Details). Click here now and navigate to the La Crosse BC-900 to get the best battery charger you’ll ever own!
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