Question about LaCrosse BC-700 Battery Charger for Eneloop

ragflan on 11/06/2014 - 11:47
Last edited 11/06/2014 - 11:48

If I buy the BC700 from Amazon, it'll obviously come with the US power plug and I can buy an adapter to convert it to AU. Can I use the Jackson Multi Voltage power adapter instead of using travel adapter?

  • The Jackson one can do 3V-12V outputs (can be selected) -> BC700 uses 3V and I can select this on the Jackson one.

  • The Jackson one can set the correct polarity -> BC700 power adapter shows which polarity to use. I can set that on the Jackson one.

  • The Jackson one comes with 6 different tips so I can find one that fits the BC700.

My question: Is there any risk of fire/damage to electronics etc that can come from using the Jackson power adapter with the BC700?

Jackson Power Adapter: http://www.ji.com.au/products/PS500SM/

Thank you.

Poll Options expired

  • 0
    Yes
  • 0
    No
  • 1
    You're going to buy a $25 adapter for a $30 charging unit? What are you, nuts?
Electrical & Electronics Battery Charger La Crosse Technology

Comments

  • lakers1222 on 11/06/2014 - 12:22

    pretty sure you have one of these chords lying around the house
    http://www.techoni.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/imag…

    use this to power the charger

  • ProjectZero on 11/06/2014 - 12:28

    As a user of the BC-700 myself… i just use a normal US to AUS converter for mine and it works fine… it's been a year since mines been plugged into the power board and no fires so far…

    Is there really a need to get that power adapter?

    • ragflan on 11/06/2014 - 12:31

      I guess not. Do you have a recommendation for US to AU adapters? I got 2 small ones and they keep falling over (don't stay plugged in). Theses ones: http://i.imgur.com/d3vUQAY.png

      • ProjectZero on 11/06/2014 - 15:42

        I actually use those as well, mine's actually pretty firm.

        If it keeps falling off, you can get power boards with built in adapters.

        Something along the lines of these

  • mskeggs on 11/06/2014 - 12:55

    Looking at the plug on my BC-700 is output 3.0v @ 2.8A, center positive. So the Jackson isn't going to have enough power to charge 4 batteries at 700mA. No fire risk, though.
    I use one of the $1 adaptors like in your photo, but with a bit of tape holding it together.
    It is fine.

    • ragflan on 11/06/2014 - 12:57

      That's what I'm doing now. Electrical tape holding it all together.

  • derek324 on 11/06/2014 - 13:37
    +1

    Unless of course you would like to buy a bit cheaper and a bit better charger which already comes with Australian plug :)
    (I have access to both, thus can compare, I bought and own AccuPower IQ-328):
    From reputable, large eBay seller DanaCo Electronics (US):
    * LaCross Technology BC-700 - Aus$48 + shipping
    * AccuPower IQ-328 - Aus $32 + shipping, Aus plug charger

    Why am I saying that the AccuPower is better? Google for tests, details, etc. In my experience the IQ-328 has slightly better quality - for example when pressing the front panel switches, inside board does not flex, it feels very solid. Battery springs feel stronger. Not saying that the BC-700 is bad, far from it, they are actually very similar in use, both run cool, are reliable, etc. But given the price difference for me it was no brainer. Actually I would probably go for the IQ-328 if the price was identical.
    A few links:
    http://www.accupower.at/iq328_en.php
    http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?349027-AccuPower-IQ-328-AA-AAA-Charger-Nice-and-Smart!!

    • mskeggs on 11/06/2014 - 13:47

      Wait for the BC-700 to go on special if you can wait. I got it for about $37 delivered.
      The specs of the iq-238 look good though if you can't.

    • ragflan on 11/06/2014 - 14:47

      Thanks a lot for the information. I have a BC700 but it's only 4 slots. I wanted to pick up another BC700 but IQ328 seems like a better option. Thanks a lot!

    • ProjectZero on 11/06/2014 - 15:44

      Yeah one complaint about the BC 700 is the buttons don't really feel responsive… maybe it's just mine…

      How does the IQ-328 compare in terms of button responsiveness?

      • derek324 on 11/06/2014 - 17:59

        I would say the IQ 328 buttons are better - hard to press, there is no flexing when you press them, and the front panel response is immediate.

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