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Battery Charger - La Crosse Technology BC1000 $57.64AUD Shipped

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If you've recently purchased a heap of Eneloop AA standard or glitter batteries or some Turnigy AAA's but don't have a very good charger or want to replace your dinosaur charger - this is a good one to consider.

This charger has recently dropped in price and is currently the cheapest it has ever been from Amazon.

If you don't want to drop nearly 60 bucks on this, then the BC700 is also good value at 40.26AUD inc shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RSOV50

Here's bits and pieces of relevant info about the BC1000 copied from Amazon:


Input voltage: 100-240 VAC but MUST have the proper adapter.

The BC1000 Alpha Power Battery Charger can be used to fill all NiMH or NiCd rechargeable batteries, AA & AAA.

Simultaneously charges multiple AA or AAA batteries, and can be set to different charging currents: charge, discharge, refresh, and test.

Defaults to 200mA and automatically switches to a trickle charge after completion to ensure maximum battery capacity. Overheat detection so not to overcharge and the charger will detect a dead battery.

Charging Current: Selectable charging current : 200, 500, 700 or 1000mA. When only channel 1 and/or channel 4 are used, can select up 1500 or 1800 mA.

Max Charging Capacity: 3000 mAh


Now, I noticed in the comments on Amazon.com that some people were expecting this charger to come with 8 batteries but they didn't receive them. It is also supposed to include 4 C size 1.2v battery adapters which are included inside 4 D size adapters. Whether it actually does or not include any of this I can't confirm.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +1

    Hmm.. this or the MH-C9000 from eBay for 25c more… http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251076212340?ssPageName=STRK:MEWA… decisions……

    • I can't decide either. Anyone?

    • Or here:
      http://www.amazon.com/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-Advanced-Analyze…

      I don't think the MH-C9000 switches to a trickle current when full, which if so, is a deal-breaker for me.

      • I have MH-C9000 for 5 years now. It works great. Not sure if it switch to tickle charge, but I am using Eneloop, it does not matter.

  • The section about 'whats in the bag' mentions the batteries, so if they are missing its a justified complaint

    QUOTE:

    What’s In the Bag?

    • Sturdy Adjustable Nylon Carrying Tote Bag with detachable metal clips
    • Spacious inside double pockets
    • Webbed side sleeve for additional storage
    • Includes 4 AA & 4 AAA NiMH rechargeable (shrink-wrapped) batteries
    • AC power adapter
    • Somehow I didn't see that, saw the included adapters but overlooked the batteries. I won't include them in the title as it's not clear if it does come with them, might be out of date info that Amazon haven't removed. They usually fix this kind of stuff though once people complain if the info is wrong.

      http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/bc1000/index.php

      The La Crosse website shows it coming with all that extra stuff so I guess it probably should. Wonder why people were getting them without it…

      • +1

        I bought 2 of these a couple of weeks back and they arrived on Wednesday just gone. I can confirm they contained:
        4 x AA
        4 x AAA
        4 x C spacer
        4 x D Spacer

        • +1

          Thanks. You tipped me over the edge.

  • is there a page that shows the difference between the 700/900/1000 models?

  • I still cant tell the difference between the 700 and the 1000 except that you get some batteries with the 1000

      • OK.. So basically the BC1000 can charge faster, but they both default to 200mAh (to prolong battery life).

        And the accessories of course.

      • Main difference i was concerned about is whether they switch to trickle charge when full.
        The Lacross pages indicate both the BC-700 & BC-1000 switch to a trickle, which wasn't clear to me from the Amazon site.

        Is a trickle essentially equivalent to it stopping?

        I noted the earlier discussion on chargers within the glittering eneloop deal that had some that simply switched off after several hours. I'd rather a trickle, or off, when full.

        I don't care so much about how long it takes - i'd probably stick to 200mAh anyway.

        So if i get one, sounds like the BC-700, unless i'm to be corrected….

        • Most decent chargers will switch to a trickle charge when they detect the cell is fully charged, I guess it just prevents the cell discharging should you leave it in the charger for a prolonged amount of time. This probably isn't so much of an issue with LSD cells like the Eneloops.

          If you're never likely to want to fast charge, then the 700 is perfect as feature wise, it appears to be much the same as the 1000.

        • Hadn't thought about the possibility of discharge when remaining connected. Good point.

          This charger does qualify as a smart charger i take it.

          Will probably get the BC-700. Thanks foobar.

          BTW, you are right in saying the BC-100 has never been cheaper:
          http://camelcamelcamel.com/La-Crosse-Technology-Battery-BC10…

          While the BC-700 is all over the shop:
          http://camelcamelcamel.com/La-Crosse-Technology-Battery-Char…

        • The charger disconnects the batteries once they are charged - there is no circuit to drain them, assuming it's not trickling.

          And the batteries are LSD, so it wouldn't be an issue.

        • I checked the price movement on camelx3 before posting and remember the 700 had a graph that looked like an amusement ride.

    • +2

      Note that the engineer reviewer mentioned that the internals were slightly different between the BC-1000 & BC-900 to help solve some heat issue. I don't know if this has any relevance to the BC-700.

      [Interior]
      After I removed the base from my BC-1000 (by the way, don't do this unless you know what you're doing), I was surprised to find a very different printed circuit board inside. There are significantly more components on the BC-1000 board compared to that on the BC-900 (refer to my uploaded picture in 'Customer Images' section):

      • The BC-900 has just one 'glop' covering the controller IC
      • The BC-1000 has two 'glops' on its PCB, suggesting that there is an extra controller. Given the past history of 'meltdown' problem with BC-9009, the most likely function for this controller is to monitor temperature during charging.
      • The BC-1000 also added four bulky thru-hole diodes ('B220' 2A 20V Schottky diode) on the PCB. Again, the most logical explanation is to burn off excessive power during charging, to prevent other surface mount components from over-heating and suffer a thermal runaway.

      [Conclusion]
      The BC-1000 may look exactly like the older BC-900 and BC-9009 from outside, but there is significant design overhaul that took place inside. Note that I cannot testify that BC-1000 has solved all thermal-related problems, because I have never witnessed any over-heating problem before. But as an engineer, I know that no company will accept a design change that ADDS cost to an existing product - unless it is absolutely required to fix a problem.

    • Sorry. Duplicate.

  • Been using my rezap charger I've had for years to charge the eneloop glitter batteries I purchased from dse is this ok or should I buy one of these newer chargers?

    • +2

      I've also got an old rezap, I don't think it was considered a "smart" charger like many of todays chargers are.

      Something worth checking - how hot do the batteries get while charging and once charged, do they remain hot or cool down while still in the charger?

      • I've got the usual 4 battery eneloop charger. Heard they are not really a smart charger and only have a timer. The batteries stay cool after charging in the eneloop…

      • Haven't notice them being hot when taken out of the charger takes quite a while to charge them suppose this is normal

      • So if they get hot after charging, then it's not a smart charger?

  • Thanks just got one. Said there was less than 20 left when I was at checkout.

  • hmmm… is it worth $20 more to get BC1000?

    • +1

      Depends if the ~$18 extra is worth it for a faster charger, 4 x AA, 4 x AAA, 4 x D-size adapters, 4 x C-size adapters and the nylon bag (assuming you get all the extras in the package).

      • faster charger

        is there any cons compare to normal charger/BC700/Maha C9000?

        • Not too sure, but from reading NLee's reviews, it sounds like the C9000 runs a little cooler. And it's also made in Taiwan as compared to made in China for this one.
          The way I see it is that the BC1000 has better value for the extra $18. Ordered one last night, thanks OP!

  • Maha might be a bit better..

    but for those who want the La Crosse, it might be worth waiting for Meritline.. much cheaper..

    http://www.meritline.com/alkaline-battery-charger-tester---c…

    • All stocked in the US warehouse which don't ship internationally.

      • meritline ship internationally.
        Just checked, ~$35 for the BC1000 + $29 shipping = ~$64.
        Got mine from Amazon for ~$55 shipped.

  • What sort of adapter do I need to make this work (safely)?

    • +1

      I just used a standard (Ebay) US to AUS travel adaptor to connect the standard LaCrosse power supply unit to our Aussie socket. A couple of layers of double sided tape between the P/supply case and the adaptor makes a solid unit.

      LaCrosse warn you not to try the old trick of rotating the mains pins as the case will crack the p/supply case. I would agree as they are thick and rigid.

      BTW - all the bits including the 8 cells, bag and D/C adaptors came with my unit which I got about 3 or 4 months ago

      BTW #2 I got the 1000 unit as it is the latest design.

      • This is right, I was lazy and tried rotating the pins, actually snapped the pin (they are quite brittle) rather than the case.
        Oh well, off to solder some new ones on!

      • Do I need something simple like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/EU-US-Australia-travel-plug-adapt… or I need a adapter that can convert to
        240V Australian power? Please advise I just ordered B-700 charge and dont want to blow out first time I connect. It says "World Voltage capable - Operates on 100~240V AC Input. " Does this means it does not need voltage converter?

  • Out of Stock - Backorder available at same price.

    "Estimated delivery: Oct. 15, 2012 - Jan. 2, 2013"

    • Weird, showing as back in stock now with amazon still as the seller. Added one to my cart and went all the way to the last step of the checkout to make sure it was still good, no problems.

      Adjusted title to reflect minor price drop as well.

  • Just took the plunge. Stock was down to 12 and then down to 11 by the time I got to the last step so looks like there's a few left. Had to pay 1c more today tho :)

    Fingers crossed this includes all the bits and pieces as per Ozem61 above!

  • Now down to 8 :) Thanks OP!

    • 5 …

      • 3…. :)

        • Now 13. Oddly, the amount in stock is increasing. They must have sourced more.

        • or a game to hurry you up to order.

          It worked.

        • I want to see them do that with their Kindle books.

  • Amazon confirmed accessories (including battereis) are included in the shipment box. Hence it is not included in the order details.

  • Got one thanks!

  • Received today, 4xAA and 4xAAA batteries and all :)

    • likewise..
      batteries and adapters (4xC size i think) in the box

  • Good to hear they're turning up complete, the couple of reports saying they didn't have everything in them was a tad worrying.

  • +1

    Received mine today and it too came with all accessories including the Carry/Storage Bag, 4 x D Adaptors, 4 x C Adaptors, 4 x 2600mA AA Batteries, 4 x 1000mA AAA Batteries and of course the US Power Supply and User Manual. Watching it Discharge & Charge the AAs as I type.

    I don't class $57.64 as an absolute 'bargain' BUT it's VERY good value for money nevertheless. Highly recommended.

    • BTW & FYI, just made up a cable allowing me to use a USB port (or two) to power this charger but it failed. Didn't kill the charger but there just wasn't enough current to make it work properly and it just prevented mode changes rendering it useless. Still works fine on the original charger so all good :)

  • Had a play with the (claimed 2.6Ah) AA's.

    Initial charges:
    1.168Ah
    1.462Ah
    1.536Ah
    2.24Ah

    After discharge and recharge:
    2.26Ah
    2.13Ah
    2.27Ah
    2.36Ah

    From this test it would seem capacities are overrated.

    • Have also tested the AAA's (Claimed 1Ah)

      Initial charges:
      745mAh
      776mAh
      854mAh
      945mAh

      After discharge and recharge:
      812mAh
      757mAh
      850mAh
      970mAh

      These also appear overrated, some more than others.

  • Finally ordered one after months and months of wanting it.

  • Just bought 8x Glitter Eneloops. I was just wondering the BC1000 comes with 4AA & 4AAA are they worth paying an extra $20?

  • is this a US plug and do you need an adapter?

    • Yes and yes. It's a multivoltage power supply so no problems here, just need the adapter doodad.

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