La Crosse BC-900 Charger Discussion

[Zerstorer]

Copied from another thread.

Originally Posted by Dennis Just tried tried on old sets of GP battery (1800mAh) and new Panasonic (2000mAh) and have been setting charging current at 1000 for 4 batts and seems like it always overheat and stop. Now trying 500mAh for GP to test. Will post results later. Funny that non of my other charger seems to stop charging for the Panasonic although I know it heats up fast. Tried Panasonic on Rayovac 1 hr charger and it gets really heated but is cooler on the Sony 30mins charger but both will fully charge it. Will test on Sanyo and others later.

[Zerstorer]

So far, my results seem more promising. I've been using the Rayovac 1Hr charger as my main charger for 3yrs now. It can get really hot sometimes but it has proven itself useful by giving me rather complete charges at relatively fast rates regardless of the number of batteries. It has a reputation as a battery cooker but I don't really mind as my batteries have lasted long enough to be replaced by newer models.

I have many old Sanyo 1850, Sanyo 2100s that my Rayovac will absolutely refuse to charge, responding with blinking lights.

Here's the good news, the LaCrosse however not only managed to charge them, but also revived its capacity from 1400mAh(old 2100s) to a peak of 1800mAh on average after a full day's Refresh at max 1000mAh rating. I'll be going through more of my old batteries later. Next into the cooker are my 3yr old Sanyo 1850s.

Yep....its a cooker as well, just slightly less hot than the Rayovac, I guess it has to be this way for most fast chargers.

[Dennis]

I am using test charge to try to get the capacity from my old batt to group them for effective use. Not as effective, it does increase the capacity buy not very promising. 1 or 2 even show much less capacity. I must confess that my 1800 GP are really old and battered.
Have not tried on newer batt but overall I like the charger, I think it will compliment well with my Sony 30 mins charger.

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by Dennis I am using test charge to try to get the capacity from my old batt to group them for effective use. Not as effective, it does increase the capacity buy not very promising. 1 or 2 even show much less capacity. I must confess that my 1800 GP are really old and battered. Have not tried on newer batt but overall I like the charger, I think it will compliment well with my Sony 30 mins charger.

Did you try the refresh function? That takes almost half a day even at max(1000mAh) charge/discharge cycles.(Duration also depends on effectiveness as it stops the moment it can't detect an increase in capacity) I probably won't even consider using the slower rates for refreshing.

[Dennis]

Was trying the function at 1000ma charging current but I notice batt gets hot and it temporary stops charging. Maybe it takes so long due to stoppages. Also I am still trying to run in my very old batt, have not tried on newer ones yet.

Originally Posted by Zerstorer Did you try the refresh function? That takes almost half a day even at max(1000mAh) charge/discharge cycles.(Duration also depends on effectiveness as it stops the moment it can't detect an increase in capacity) I probably won't even consider using the slower rates for refreshing.

[Zerstorer]

Same here. I'm testing it on all my condemned batteries that won't charge on the Rayovac.

[Zerstorer]

Some discharge test results from batteries that I have on hand, a pretty good showing from Sanyo. All my batteries are still holding out well despite heavy usage in flashes and no care/maintenance taken.(charged as and when I feel like it)

Sanyo 2500(6 mths old)
~2400mAh

Sanyo 2300(1yr old)
In Progress

Sanyo 2100(2 yr old heavily used cells)
1836
1806
1753
1727

Sanyo 1850 (3yr old heavily used cells, surprise!)
1895
1889
1803
1756

[Dennis]

You got much better results.
My GP1800 now after refresh max only give me 1150 and 1 or 2 actually gives 900 ??.
Anyway the GP are all to throw away ones, was wondering why the set does not work on low powered device. Now I know and will never be able to tell without the Lacrosse.
New batteries still on the way (may be a long way).

[Zerstorer]

That's the reason why I avoid GP. I found GPs significantly less lasting than Sanyo when used in high drain applications such as flash usage. And its worse when they are paired with their own charger which seems to signal a full charge when its not. I've a friend with GP charger and batteries charged have much less capacity than the same ones charged on the Rayovac.

Frankly, the Rayovac that we have is one of the best in the market as long as you take care to give it some ventilation or cooling. It never fails to fully charge any battery unless its faulty.

Basically now with the Lacross I can test all the batteries that I have and gauge their useful life. It's a really neat feature for gadget freaks and geeks....but possibly not for people who are neurotic.

BTW, I've noted that there is a 10-20% variability in test capacity in between refresh cycles, so it can be used as a general gauge, but nothing to worry about if u see some variance.

[Dennis]

Yes you are right, BTW I get GP because of the slow discharge rate as I use them also on slow drain device like watch winders and even remotes. Rayovac is good but will get very hot when charging I prefer the Sony 30mins charger now as it has a build in fan and charge cool. The Lacrosse is a very good compliment to it.
I notice variation when using Refresh and Test as well but nothing to worry about. Still playing around with it on my old batteries.

Originally Posted by Zerstorer That's the reason why I avoid GP. I found GPs significantly less lasting than Sanyo when used in high drain applications such as flash usage. And its worse when they are paired with their own charger which seems to signal a full charge when its not. I've a friend with GP charger and batteries charged have much less capacity than the same ones charged on the Rayovac. Frankly, the Rayovac that we have is one of the best in the market as long as you take care to give it some ventilation or cooling. It never fails to fully charge any battery unless its faulty. Basically now with the Lacross I can test all the batteries that I have and gauge their useful life. It's a really neat feature for gadget freaks and geeks....but possibly not for people who are neurotic. BTW, I've noted that there is a 10-20% variability in test capacity in between refresh cycles, so it can be used as a general gauge, but nothing to worry about if u see some variance.

[BBTM]

I try to refresh 4 Sanyo 2100 Batt. Now having 2 of them having a charge of 2 ah (without the m!) Maybe those batt spoilt by the GP charger, don't know whether can complain to GP or not if it is true.

[Zerstorer]

BBTM,
2ah= 2000mah

[BBTM]

Originally Posted by Zerstorer BBTM, 2ah= 2000mah

I see. No wonder the reading stays there all the time. Btw, refresh mode only up to 500mAh, right? I press till there and it went back to lowest mAH liao. (Forget which one)

[Zerstorer]

If you are charging 4 cells, maximum charge current is 1000mAh, if just charging 2 you can select 1800mAh but you must only use the 1st and 4th slot.
The maximum discharge current is 500mAh.

Its all in the manual.

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

hmm i was doing the charge refresh thingy... think my Sanyo gone case liao... 1st 4 down the drain..

2500mah charged for 1 day already...

batt 1, 2.13Ah
batt 2, 1671mAh
batt 3, 1420mAh
batt 4, 1925mAh

all below the minimum 2300mAh boast...

[Zerstorer]

That's rather low, the charge-refresh mode usually gives lower results, but not THAT low. Let it do a discharge-Test cycle and see.

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by Zerstorer That's rather low, the charge-refresh mode usually gives lower results, but not THAT low. Let it do a discharge-Test cycle and see.

tats y i think mine is all gone case kind... ok do a discharge test cycle...

[BBTM]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt hmm i was doing the charge refresh thingy... think my Sanyo gone case liao... 1st 4 down the drain.. 2500mah charged for 1 day already... batt 1, 2.13Ah batt 2, 1671mAh batt 3, 1420mAh batt 4, 1925mAh all below the minimum 2300mAh boast...

My Sanyo still got better result. B1: 2.11!, B2:2.01, still charging, B3:1750, still charging, B4:1975.

Tonight go back n see the final result. Going to test another set soon. Thinking of getting another charger. Too many batt to refresh liao!

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by BBTM My Sanyo still got better result. B1: 2.11!, B2:2.01, still charging, B3:1750, still charging, B4:1975. Tonight go back n see the final result. Going to test another set soon. Thinking of getting another charger. Too many batt to refresh liao!

sibeh rich sia.... another lacrosse... anyway this charger good for doing test, not for fast charging... imho

[BBTM]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt sibeh rich sia.... another lacrosse... anyway this charger good for doing test, not for fast charging... imho

I got 7i to feed also. I just want to condition those batteries again n then use back on 1 hr charger by GP, which I got 2. Since got use, getting another one is worth it. I make sure I got use then buy whereby some ppl (not u, i mean other) buy liao, put there and display.