25 thoughts on “Eevblog #35 – inside the varta 15 minute nimh battery charger”
I still use NiCd batteries in my usb power bank that ive built myself (had to order cells from a emergency medical store) These things can last 30+ years but are a little quirky to handle/charge – nothing that the modern man/world would be able to handle properly=) Also they are apparently banned…this is just a plus pionts in my book, always nice to piss of the hippies…oh im sorry…environmentalists…
I have (or had) the earlier version of this charger. Pretty good thing and the cells are still some kind of working (don't expect too much). Unfortunately I might have killed the charger today – the above mentioned cells tend to convert the energy delivered from the charger more into heat than storing it. Somehow, the charger tried to fast-charge the batteries causing them to get pretty hot and by that maybe overheating some IC.
I"ll open the charger the next days and see what has happened and maybe I can fix it.
I sold the USA variant of this, rebadged as the RadioShack IC3 charger. Loved it, and could use the batteries after they came out as hand-warmers ๐ Ah, the end of the glory days of RadioShack.
Informative video but you never answer your own question, did it charge properly in 15 min? Also how hot did the parts get? And finally did yo eat the battery as you promised assuming it did charge in 15min ๐
So I have one of these that has been re-branded by Rayovac. My question is, how does it know when you are charging their fast charge batteries, or just regular rechargeable batteries?
Sir I need your advice, i am planning to build a 48v using NIMH 1.2v 3000 mah , teh question is that can i charge this with 7-step,full automatic switch mode,(reverse) pulse charging that you can buy at ebay and if i have 48 1.2 v 3000 mah how much AH i will have for my 48v battery pack can you please correct me Thank you!
I know this is an old video, but about 10 years ago I bought a Rayovac 15 minute battery charger with 4 AA batteries. That thing worked a charm! The only reason I stopped using them was because I upgraded to get, (much), higher mAh batteries. I think the Rayovacs were somewhere around 1600 mAh – but that was years ago before the higher capacity batteries were available.
I have a Bosch drill charger that can charge a 12v 1700mah NiCd/NiMh pack in 15 mins, It apparently uses a system called 'fuzzy logic' to determine exactly how much charge the pack needs and will deliver exactly that amount of charge and no more. The pack never gets hot, and according to the Bosch literature, Battery packs charged in a Fuzzy Control charger will last way way way longer than packs that are charged in a standard 'delta voltage' charger…ย Would be good if Dave (or indeed Mike) could explain more about how fuzzy logic chargers work.
I still use NiCd batteries in my usb power bank that ive built myself (had to order cells from a emergency medical store) These things can last 30+ years but are a little quirky to handle/charge – nothing that the modern man/world would be able to handle properly=) Also they are apparently banned…this is just a plus pionts in my book, always nice to piss of the hippies…oh im sorry…environmentalists…
I have (or had) the earlier version of this charger. Pretty good thing and the cells are still some kind of working (don't expect too much).
Unfortunately I might have killed the charger today – the above mentioned cells tend to convert the energy delivered from the charger more into heat than storing it. Somehow, the charger tried to fast-charge the batteries causing them to get pretty hot and by that maybe overheating some IC.
I"ll open the charger the next days and see what has happened and maybe I can fix it.
Great video.
But isn't it overdriving the power adapter?
With max 4.7A from mains, what makes it 8.4A?
Lol. Dilithium Crystals. Just get some new ones from the replicator! Great video, always entertaining and informative at the same time. ๐
That old school handheld
I sold the USA variant of this, rebadged as the RadioShack IC3 charger. Loved it, and could use the batteries after they came out as hand-warmers ๐ Ah, the end of the glory days of RadioShack.
VARTA AG is a German company.
Hahahhaha, chinesee stuck a ZPM in the Battery. The Goauld or the Replicators invading earth ๐ Dave you made my day ๐
Bet that charge current doesnt do the cells much good!!
Opus BT-C2000 will measure capacity for you. Love mine. Reasonable cost as well.
Someone might be eating some batteries soon!
Informative video but you never answer your own question, did it charge properly in 15 min?
Also how hot did the parts get?
And finally did yo eat the battery as you promised assuming it did charge in 15min ๐
So I have one of these that has been re-branded by Rayovac. My question is, how does it know when you are charging their fast charge batteries, or just regular rechargeable batteries?
Sir I need your advice, i am planning to build a 48v using NIMH 1.2v 3000 mah , teh question is that can i charge this with 7-step,full automatic switch mode,(reverse) pulse charging that you can buy at ebay and if i have 48 1.2 v 3000 mah how much AH i will have for my 48v battery pack can you please correct me Thank you!
Stargate Yessss
Clear and instructive as the previous!!! thanks.
I know this is an old video, but about 10 years ago I bought a Rayovac 15 minute battery charger with 4 AA batteries. That thing worked a charm! The only reason I stopped using them was because I upgraded to get, (much), higher mAh batteries. I think the Rayovacs were somewhere around 1600 mAh – but that was years ago before the higher capacity batteries were available.
Can I use this to charge the russian nuclear batteries that I got off ebay?
the dylithium crystals :DDDD
hhehe I almost fall off my chair everytime you say Hi at the beginning:) got pretty strong coffee down there huh?!
ะ ัััะบะธะน ะฒัััะธ dibel
I love this guy. "Is there something dodgee going on?"
Gees, pushing 8A charging current through a small poor AA battery! 4C!?!? modern Lipos take like 2C absolute maximum!
Is vata a good brand? I live in the uk so I don't know.
I have a Bosch drill charger that can charge a 12v 1700mah NiCd/NiMh pack in 15 mins, It apparently uses a system called 'fuzzy logic' to determine exactly how much charge the pack needs and will deliver exactly that amount of charge and no more. The pack never gets hot, and according to the Bosch literature, Battery packs charged in a Fuzzy Control charger will last way way way longer than packs that are charged in a standard 'delta voltage' charger…ย Would be good if Dave (or indeed Mike) could explain more about how fuzzy logic chargers work.