I got plain tired of feeding the gaping battery maw of various
portable radios, especially that of the power-mad DX-398, and broke
down and purchased Ray-O-Vac's four slot NIMH IC3 charger with the
included set of four 2000 AH batteries at Sam's Club for around $20.
This price was $7 better than Walmart. Sam's does not sell the IC3
batteries separately, so I bought two more sets of four at Walmart for
around $12 apiece. Needless to say, I am very favorably impressed
with Rayovac's gizmo and it works as advertised. These rechargeables
will run the 398 at moderate to loud volume for 15-20 hours. Goodbye
Duracell. I think I am on my fifth charge which would be at least $15
in Duracells and $10 in Dollar Store alkies.

It should be noted that considerable main strength is required to
properly seat the positive terminals in their correct slots. (If
you're not paying attention it is easy to place the positive terminals
in the AAA slots and the batteries won't charge.) I think however
that the monster springs which hold the batteries in place will lose
some of their tension over time and the procedure will become easier.
Also, the batteries become quite hot while charging (which I
understand is normal) so it is probably adviseable to let them cool
off before using them. The charger has a built in fan to help
dissipate the heat. Theoretically, these batteries are good for a
thousand cycles. Is the plastic charger up to the task when so much
force is required to insert the batteries?

The batteries really truly charge up in fifteen minutes. When the
power indicator on the radio starts getting low I just charge up
another set of batteries, play the radio until it shuts off for lack
of juice, and swap out the old cells. Very convenient, and I will
never again worry about wasting expensive alkalines.

Regards,

Grumpus

Grumpus wrote:
I got plain tired of feeding the gaping battery maw of various
portable radios, especially that of the power-mad DX-398, and broke
down and purchased Ray-O-Vac's four slot NIMH IC3 charger with the
included set of four 2000 AH batteries at Sam's Club for around $20.
This price was $7 better than Walmart. Sam's does not sell the IC3
batteries separately, so I bought two more sets of four at Walmart for
around $12 apiece. Needless to say, I am very favorably impressed
with Rayovac's gizmo and it works as advertised. These rechargeables
will run the 398 at moderate to loud volume for 15-20 hours. Goodbye
Duracell. I think I am on my fifth charge which would be at least $15
in Duracells and $10 in Dollar Store alkies.

It should be noted that considerable main strength is required to
properly seat the positive terminals in their correct slots. (If
you're not paying attention it is easy to place the positive terminals
in the AAA slots and the batteries won't charge.) I think however
that the monster springs which hold the batteries in place will lose
some of their tension over time and the procedure will become easier.
Also, the batteries become quite hot while charging (which I
understand is normal) so it is probably adviseable to let them cool
off before using them. The charger has a built in fan to help
dissipate the heat. Theoretically, these batteries are good for a
thousand cycles. Is the plastic charger up to the task when so much
force is required to insert the batteries?

The batteries really truly charge up in fifteen minutes. When the
power indicator on the radio starts getting low I just charge up
another set of batteries, play the radio until it shuts off for lack
of juice, and swap out the old cells. Very convenient, and I will
never again worry about wasting expensive alkalines.

Regards,

Grumpus

Wow 15 minutes, thats nice. I bought an Energizer NIHM charger (CHM39)
with 4 AA 2100 mAH batteries for just over $20 together. It takes about
14 hours to fully charge the batteries. (I just let it go overnight and
unplug it when i get home from work)

I've found the 2100 mAH batteries last longer then most of the cheapies
you can find floating around in balk. These four have easily been
through 50 charges already and no noticeable loss of performance.

I'll have to take a look at that charger you bought, but I bet it
shortens the battery use life.

-Bob

I have been using the Maha charger and their 2200ma cells for several months
with my AR-8000 and have noted excellent results.

Their charger has a quick charge and normal charge rate switch. Their
literature says thaht using the normal (slower) charging rate will allow your
cells to last for their full expected life while the quick charge rate will
shorten the useable life somewhat. You may want to consider that.

73s
Ken Maltz
Jericho, NY
NRD-535D, NRD-220 Collins R-388, Racal RA6790/GM,
ICOM R71A, ICOM R-7100(x3), AOR AR-8000
Panasonic RF-2200, Sony ICF-7600GR,
Hoka Code3 Gold-Pro, 60' long wire, MLB balun

On 31 Aug 2004 21:26:14 -0700, (Grumpus) wrote:


snip
Also, the batteries become quite hot while charging (which I
understand is normal) so it is probably adviseable to let them cool
off before using them. The charger has a built in fan to help
dissipate the heat. Theoretically, these batteries are good for a
thousand cycles. Is the plastic charger up to the task when so much
force is required to insert the batteries?

snip


Assuming quality NiMh cells and each cycle is a full discharge (to
1V/cell) and then each recharge properly terminated (so they are
not overcharged) and at a standard rate of C/5 to C/10 (5-14
hours) at room temp, yes they could give about 1000 cycles of
gradually diminishing available power capacity -- down to about at
least 50% of the original when new. The internal resistace
builds up gradually as they age.

Being exothermic, a little heating (40C) is normal for NimH
towards the end of a charge. But when they get very hot during
charging the cycles and capacity will drop rather quickly.