Excal NiCad charging options

[kered]

Dom, the charger is rated at up to 12v , that means 10 x1.2v ni-cad/nimh (they all have more than 1.2v when charged fully) not its maximum output i tested the charger and it puts out 15.2v similar to the minelab one. Its a great charger but the Accucel 6 to me is far superior

 

[Critterhunter]

Also, don't confuse input power range to run the charger with what it can output. They take care of that internally.

Which reminds me of one other little nugget I'll pass on. If you are using a power source that isn't able to supply the highest (7?) amps the charger might draw to power it's self, this may cause the unit to be unable to charge certain large packs at a certain high rate (much bigger than detector packs). You might say set it to charge or discharge at say it's maximum amp rate which is 5 amps but the charger is only showing something like 1, 2, or 3 amps on the display to charge the pack. That's a good indication that it's unable to power it's self properly. Another factor is the wattage of the charger (watts=volts x amps). With a big enough pack or one having a lot of individual cells (requiring more voltage to charge) you can't raise the amp charge or discharge rate past the charger's maximum wattage. It will simply drop down to a lower number on the screen.

Here's a small example. Let's say you want to discharge a pack at 1 amp. You set the charger up and it's only showing .4 amps on the screen. Why? Because the pack voltage is still too high to allow the full 1 amp discharge rate, being limited by the charger's maximum wattage. Come back later and you'll notice that the charger is now drawing the pack dead at the 1 amp you set it at in the first place. Why is that? Because the pack voltage has now dropped enough to allow the amp rate to rise. Remember, watts= volts x amps.

Then there are times when the charger can "tell" that the pack simply can't handle the charge or discharge rate you are outrageously trying to put it through. The charger will adjust accordingly to what it feels is a more sensible amp rate. I'm not sure how it does this myself but I've noticed it on many different chargers. Do not rely on the charger to make that decision for you, though. It means you are being wreckless with your settings and that should never happen. The charger may in fact allow that abuse and end up costing you a battery or worse a fire.

 

[Dom of NJ]

Thanks for the great info Kered and Critterhunter!
Dom