It appears that La Crosse Technology has cut costs a bit too far on their CURRENT MODEL La Crosse Technology BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Charger because the reports of 'Meltdowns' have recently begun coming in MUCH more frequently than those (over the years) for the previous BC-900 v35 and lower charger.
LINKs:
Amaz0n.Com BC-9009 Reviews: See all 660 customer reviews... NOTE: From my 'proofreading / testing' of this post, it appears to me that this LINK depends on something (i.e. a stored COOKIE?), so you may have to CLICK on "See all nnn customer reviews..." once you arrive there and then sort on "Newest First". *IGNORE* any reviews on the BC-900 - that is the earlier model and it appears that Amaz0n has combined the reviews.
?SOMETHING? is 'tricking' the MOSFET into LOCKING in the FULL ON condition (Find & Read my 'Faucet Analogy'). Affected owners have stated that POWER CYCLING (temporarily) clears the problem. This indicates that the MOSFET is *STILL* working (*NOT* PHYSICALLY LOCKED ON / PERMANENTLY DAMAGED) and possibly the microprocessor signal to the MOSFET was LOCKED ON (Refer to Questions #10-12 in LINK #3 above for more 'thoughts').
P.S. *PLEASE* don't PM me about this! I'm no Electrical Engineer and I'm only RELAYING information that I've found.
EDIT: Oops! Forgot about the FW FuseTalk problem about LINKing to a thread with BRACKETS in the TITLE.
Just great, I just got one for my Christmas present!
Thanks for the info, will not leave the charger on when I'm not at home.
Mine came from Amazon so I wrote them. Amazon responded that they would be gladly to refund the full price of the charger. I think I am going to return it. I can get MAHA charger for $20 more and $20 is cheap considering if my place burned down because of this damn charger. It appears it's not isolated incidents when I googled the issue. Multiple people have experienced the problem, especially with the recent version.
ziffy said: Just great, I just got one for my Christmas present!
Thanks for the info, will not leave the charger on when I'm not at home.
Mine came from Amazon so I wrote them. Amazon responded that they would be gladly to refund the full price of the charger. I think I am going to return it. I can get MAHA charger for $20 more and $20 is cheap considering if my place burned down because of this damn charger. It appears it's not isolated incidents when I googled the issue. Multiple people have experienced the problem, especially with the recent version.
aren't they still requiring you to pay the return shipping?
. Mine's going back to Amaz0n, too! Looks like an Amaz0n return for "...don't like it." will cost me postage. OK by me. Better to pay postage than trying to charge batteries in the garage, in/on a fireproof container. .
DigDoug6179 said: TakeTheActive - so what is your recommendation on this charger? I'm tempted to buy one...I own a La Crosse BC-900 v33 (bought Dec '06) and a Maha MH-C9000 (bought Dec '08).
I bought the BC-900 because my Rayovac PS1 and PS3 were not terminating properly (cooking cells) and the problem with the BC-900 v32 overheating appeared to be solved (La Crosse lowered the MAX TEMP). BC-900 v33+ overheat / meltdown problem reports, although still occurring, were scarce. Then came the 'new & improved' BC-9009 v35. I don't know what they changed, but, AFAICT, starting around Nov '09 BC-9009 'Meltdown' Reports began appearing. And they're continuing, SURPASSING all those for the BC-900 combined.
Since La Crosse and Maha are your ONLY choices for a AA/AAA Smart Charger/Analyzer, unless you can get a BC-900, I'd say get the C9000. MUCH more versatile, better made, longer warranty, etc...
If you can't see yourself spending the extra bucks for the C9000, although I only recommend it for AAA cells, look into the La Crosse BC-700. With a maximum Charge Rate of 700mA (vs 1000mA x 4, or 1800mA x 2 for the BC-900/BC-9009), the BC-700 can't charge AAs at the recommended 0.5-1.0C, where 'C' is C)apacity (i.e. For an Eneloop 2000mAh LSD NiMH AA, that's 1000-2000mA, 1-2hrs). Lower Charge Rates risk missed terminations and encourage larger crystal growth which then limits maximum current and can also potentially poke holes in the thinner separator in non-LSD 2500+ mAh NiMH cells.
It all boils down to how YOU, the user, use rechargeable NiMH cells. Some folks are satisfied with the Sanyo MQN06 2-Channel 4-Cell (PAIRED) Smart Charger that comes in the Costco Eneloop Kits, while others, once made aware of the features of a Smart Charger/Analyzer, can't live without one.
More questions? Please read my FAQ...
EDIT: Bought C9000 Dec '08 / Arrived Jan '09
SkinnyMelon
New Member
posted: Jan. 12, 2010 @ 8:18a
TakeTheActive,
What if a bc-900 had the newer 3.5 firmware.... could the firmware be a factor in melt-downs of the bc-9009s? I am interested in purchasing my first smart charger, Im a novice and want to be safe from melt-downs. Im glad I did not rely on the nearly 5-star rating for the BC-9009 on Amazon, and after reading everything I have been steered away from it. But because I have read many reviews from people who bought the bc-900 years ago and do not have complaints I am thinking of going for the bc-900. My only fear is that the newer firmware may be a factor in the melt-down issue. Is this possible?
What if a bc-900 had the newer 3.5 firmware.... could the firmware be a factor in melt-downs of the bc-9009s? ...I have been steered away from it. But because I have read many reviews from people who bought the bc-900 years ago and do not have complaints I am thinking of going for the bc-900. My only fear is that the newer firmware may be a factor in the melt-down issue. Is this possible? IMO, no. The La Crosse BC-900 v35 has been out a LONG time and the reports of 'Meltdowns' are scarce, (ESPECIALLY compared to the BC-9009!):
SkinnyMelon said: ...Im glad I did not rely on the nearly 5-star rating for the BC-9009 on Amazon... Amaz0n COMBINED the reviews of the BC-900 with the BC-9009, doing ALL their customers a DISSERVICE (as I posted recently in a comment somewhere on Amaz0n).
SkinnyMelon said: ...I am interested in purchasing my first smart charger, Im a novice and want to be safe from melt-downs... Re-read my earlier reply to DigDoug6179.
The Maha MH-C9000 is a MUCH better Smart Charger/Analyzer all-around. But, if it's too much money for you to spend...
If you don't care about the 'Analyzer' part and just want a SMART Charger, the 'FREE' MQN06 Charger that comes with the Sanyo Eneloop Kit works well enough to get you started. Also, the Duracell Mobile Charger CEF23DX4 (with the 12VDC Adapter), now discontinued, comes highly recommended. But I recently bought one and feel that it terminates a bit too late and the cells get too warm. I'll use it during vacations, but not daily. And finally there's the 'a bit too low maximum Charge Rate' La Crosse BC-700 SMART Charger/Analyzer.
What's your 'investment' in rechargeable cells? A handful or dozens? You need to evaluate 'how much' charger you need.
We have recently learned that La Crosse Technology, Inc. is voluntarily replacing the AC adapters used with La Crosse Technology BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Chargers sold between October 1, 2009 and January 15, 2010. Our records indicate that you have purchased one of the La Crosse Technology BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Chargers listed in this time frame through the Amazon.com website.
Below is a link and the verbiage that is on La Crosse Technology’s web site.
AC Adapter Replacement for BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Charger La Crosse Technolology recently switched to a new AC adapter that meets California Energy Commission (CEC) requirements. La Crosse Technology has discovered that this new AC adapter has an increased voltage output; therefore we are replacing the AC adapter free of charge.
The AC adapter that needs replacement can be identified by the Roman number IV on the adapter.
Please click the following link to supply us with your shipping information in order for La Crosse Technology to send you a replacement adapter.
I had a bc-900 meltdown on myself within 1 month of getting it. I bought it in late 2007 from an Amazon deal. Never returned it even though I kept meaning to.
TakeTheActive said: JM80 said: I had a bc-900 meltdown on myself within 1 month of getting it...BC-900 meltdowns are MUCH rarer than (recent Amaz0n-purchased) BC-9009s.
Please describe the charging parameters (if you can remember them) and the resulting damage.
If you have a DMM/VOM, please measure (and post) the unloaded output voltage of the wallwart.
My wife was using it, so I would assume it was just on the standard settings. I cannot remember if it was a battery that came with the charger or an enelope. However the damage was severe, and the plastic around that battery melted and deformed. If I get a chance I will see if I can find it.
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