NC-1000 charger - recommended by PCWORLD.PL!
The everActive NC-1000 charger was used by the PCWORLD.PL team to test the most popular AA size NiMH batteries available on the Polish market. Cells from renowned manufacturers, m.in Panasonic Eneloop, Fujitsu, Varta Ready2Use and others, were tested. The text was made available on 29.01.2015.
The NC-1000 is one of two chargers used for testing (along with the MH-C9000) by the PCWORLD.PL team. This model was used, m.in others, to form and measure the capacity of the tested batteries.
"Laboratory tests
We tested only the new AA (R6) rechargeable batteries – all models made in Ni-MH technology. After taking them out of the factory packaging, the cells were discharged to check the initial capacity (because on some of the batteries there is a note that the batteries are immediately ready for use). Then we subjected them to forming (cycling): charged with 0.5A current, discharged with 0.3A. We have moved away from the 0.1C charging method for three reasons. Firstly, because of the risk of overcharging that can occur in the processor chargers we use using the "minus delta V" method. Secondly, preliminary tests show that the differences in the efficiency of charging modern cells using the 0.1C and 0.2C or even 0.25C methods are negligible (larger differences can be observed between successive cycles with the same charging current). Thirdly, in practice, hardly anyone uses the 0.1C method - dedicated chargers supplied with batteries often charge with a higher current (so that the process lasts, for example, 5 hours).
The results indicate that in the case of modern rechargeable batteries, the procedure of forming new cells does not contribute to increasing their capacity - after subsequent cycles we did not notice an upward trend. Perhaps the formation of new cells somewhat prevents the appearance of the so-called memory effect. But this in the case of Ni-MH cells is not significant.
Then we performed a series of charges and discharges using two types of devices: MAHA Energy Powerex MH-C9000 and everActive NC1000. Both devices allow the charging and discharging current of each cell to be set individually. Each set was additionally tested in packs of 4 cells. Here we used Multiplex LN-5014 and IMAX B8+ devices.
The discharge current during our tests is 0.3A (this is roughly equivalent to the consumption of an average bulb flashlight or camera powered by 4 AA cells). All sets of batteries were subjected to at least 6 cycles described above, after each of which we recorded the results. In the table, we give them in an average form. We also provide information about the differences in the capacity of individual cells (see item: "Differences between cells")
After tests under normal conditions (21°C), the batteries were placed in the freezer. After reaching a temperature oscillating around -25°C, they were discharged (in packs of 4). All frozen batteries worked in these conditions, although there were significant differences in performance. The frozen batteries were also discharged with 0.3A."
Source:
http://www.pcworld.pl/artykuly/400726_2/Test.akumulatorkow.AA.Najlepsze.baterie.Ni.MH.wielokrotnego.ladowania.html
In the final part of the article, the NC-1000 was rated as a model worth recommending, which is not only functional, but also available at an affordable retail price:
"Charging
At the beginning, it is worth noting that the process of charging batteries is not simply about connecting a cell to a power source. Ni-MH batteries should not be charged with direct current - this can damage them, even if this current is of low intensity. Energy is "forced" into the cell in pulses. And it is not at all said that during the charging process these impulses have the same frequency and intensity. Such details are known to the designers of advanced chargers, which we encourage you to use. And this is for several reasons.
The purchase of a professional charger is an expense of about PLN 180 - this is how much you can have a very functional MAHA Energy Powerex MH-C9000 model, which we have been successfully using in the laboratory for several years. The optimal solution is everActive NC1000 (emphasis - everactive.pl), costing just under 100 PLN. The above-mentioned models will not drain your pocket, and will allow you to almost fully control what is happening with the batteries. Firstly, we determine the charging current ourselves – this is how we decide whether the batteries are to be charged optimally or quickly in the event of an emergency. We choose the charging current ourselves to the capacity of a given cell. Each cell is treated individually by the charger, so it is optimally handled by them (neither overcharged nor undercharged).
A professional charger also allows you to discharge cells, which is done for two purposes: to control the condition of our batteries (if we discharge fully charged) and to refresh cells that are slightly worn out and tarnished by the memory effect (here "refresh" modes are available). Information about the actual capacity of a given cell is useful not only to make a decision about the purchase of new cells, but also to complete batteries that present a similar capacity at a given stage of operation. Of course, such completion should be carried out within the same cell model. Kits of similar capacity allow you to extend the life of the weakest cell when you use batteries in packs of 2, 3 or 4."
Source:
http://www.pcworld.pl/artykuly/400726_4/Test.akumulatorkow.AA.Najlepsze.baterie.Ni.MH.wielokrotnego.ladowania.html
We encourage you to read the article on PCWORLD.PL:
"AA rechargeable battery test. The best rechargeable Ni-MH batteries"
http://www.pcworld.pl/artykuly/400726/Test.akumulatorkow.AA.Najlepsze.baterie.Ni.MH.wielokrotnego.ladowania.html
The NC-1000 is one of two chargers used for testing (along with the MH-C9000) by the PCWORLD.PL team. This model was used, m.in others, to form and measure the capacity of the tested batteries.
"Laboratory tests
We tested only the new AA (R6) rechargeable batteries – all models made in Ni-MH technology. After taking them out of the factory packaging, the cells were discharged to check the initial capacity (because on some of the batteries there is a note that the batteries are immediately ready for use). Then we subjected them to forming (cycling): charged with 0.5A current, discharged with 0.3A. We have moved away from the 0.1C charging method for three reasons. Firstly, because of the risk of overcharging that can occur in the processor chargers we use using the "minus delta V" method. Secondly, preliminary tests show that the differences in the efficiency of charging modern cells using the 0.1C and 0.2C or even 0.25C methods are negligible (larger differences can be observed between successive cycles with the same charging current). Thirdly, in practice, hardly anyone uses the 0.1C method - dedicated chargers supplied with batteries often charge with a higher current (so that the process lasts, for example, 5 hours).
The results indicate that in the case of modern rechargeable batteries, the procedure of forming new cells does not contribute to increasing their capacity - after subsequent cycles we did not notice an upward trend. Perhaps the formation of new cells somewhat prevents the appearance of the so-called memory effect. But this in the case of Ni-MH cells is not significant.
Then we performed a series of charges and discharges using two types of devices: MAHA Energy Powerex MH-C9000 and everActive NC1000. Both devices allow the charging and discharging current of each cell to be set individually. Each set was additionally tested in packs of 4 cells. Here we used Multiplex LN-5014 and IMAX B8+ devices.
The discharge current during our tests is 0.3A (this is roughly equivalent to the consumption of an average bulb flashlight or camera powered by 4 AA cells). All sets of batteries were subjected to at least 6 cycles described above, after each of which we recorded the results. In the table, we give them in an average form. We also provide information about the differences in the capacity of individual cells (see item: "Differences between cells")
After tests under normal conditions (21°C), the batteries were placed in the freezer. After reaching a temperature oscillating around -25°C, they were discharged (in packs of 4). All frozen batteries worked in these conditions, although there were significant differences in performance. The frozen batteries were also discharged with 0.3A."
Source:
http://www.pcworld.pl/artykuly/400726_2/Test.akumulatorkow.AA.Najlepsze.baterie.Ni.MH.wielokrotnego.ladowania.html
In the final part of the article, the NC-1000 was rated as a model worth recommending, which is not only functional, but also available at an affordable retail price:
"Charging
At the beginning, it is worth noting that the process of charging batteries is not simply about connecting a cell to a power source. Ni-MH batteries should not be charged with direct current - this can damage them, even if this current is of low intensity. Energy is "forced" into the cell in pulses. And it is not at all said that during the charging process these impulses have the same frequency and intensity. Such details are known to the designers of advanced chargers, which we encourage you to use. And this is for several reasons.
The purchase of a professional charger is an expense of about PLN 180 - this is how much you can have a very functional MAHA Energy Powerex MH-C9000 model, which we have been successfully using in the laboratory for several years. The optimal solution is everActive NC1000 (emphasis - everactive.pl), costing just under 100 PLN. The above-mentioned models will not drain your pocket, and will allow you to almost fully control what is happening with the batteries. Firstly, we determine the charging current ourselves – this is how we decide whether the batteries are to be charged optimally or quickly in the event of an emergency. We choose the charging current ourselves to the capacity of a given cell. Each cell is treated individually by the charger, so it is optimally handled by them (neither overcharged nor undercharged).
A professional charger also allows you to discharge cells, which is done for two purposes: to control the condition of our batteries (if we discharge fully charged) and to refresh cells that are slightly worn out and tarnished by the memory effect (here "refresh" modes are available). Information about the actual capacity of a given cell is useful not only to make a decision about the purchase of new cells, but also to complete batteries that present a similar capacity at a given stage of operation. Of course, such completion should be carried out within the same cell model. Kits of similar capacity allow you to extend the life of the weakest cell when you use batteries in packs of 2, 3 or 4."
Source:
http://www.pcworld.pl/artykuly/400726_4/Test.akumulatorkow.AA.Najlepsze.baterie.Ni.MH.wielokrotnego.ladowania.html
We encourage you to read the article on PCWORLD.PL:
"AA rechargeable battery test. The best rechargeable Ni-MH batteries"
http://www.pcworld.pl/artykuly/400726/Test.akumulatorkow.AA.Najlepsze.baterie.Ni.MH.wielokrotnego.ladowania.html