Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Sanyo Eneloops & MAHA MH-C801D

Between my bicycle's lights and digital cameras I'm ready to invest in a good charger for my Sanyo Eneloop AA and AAA cells. I'm thinking of buying the MAHA MH-C801D from Thomas Distributing (http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-mhc801d-aa-aaa-battery-chargerbrdeluxe-8-cell-professional-battery-charger-w-full-lcd-displaybrbrfree-accessory-bag-2-free-eight-cell-battery-holdersbrspecial-price-6897-p-437.html?SP_id=&osCsid=qabjqmuoujg3siln8olaj253d3).

Anyone here on BF using this charger with Eneloops?

Mine came with a Sanyo charger

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA/ref=pd_cp_e_3

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Charger-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B003VLAEPQ/ref=pd_cp_e_1_img

Mine came with a Sanyo charger

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA/ref=pd_cp_e_3

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Charger-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B003VLAEPQ/ref=pd_cp_e_1_img

Looking at the reviews, the bundled charger doesn't get good marks.

Mine has been good for 3 years. Use it everyday.
I have two of them, my wife uses the 2nd one.

What I like about them is they stay on until the batteries are full charged.

Looking at the reviews, the bundled charger doesn't get good marks.

I have these chargers.....no problems.

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA/ref=pd_cp_e_3

I've used AA and AAA Eneloops for perhaps 4 years now, and charged them with an inexpensive (<12$) charger many times with no problem.

Last year (based on a tip I got in this very forum) I splurged and bought a La Crosse Tech BC-9009 from Thomas Distributing, who no longer sells them. It cost $56+$8 s/h and included 4 excellent 2600 mah AA cells and 4 AAA cells. It is nearly identical to the Maha MH-C9000, except the Maha has a different display and no cells. I suspect a common chinese manufacturer. I actually started using these La Crosse cells since they're 15-20% more capacity than the Eneloops. They're in my Dinotte 140 taillight right now.

The Maha C801D looks fine and is functionally the same as the Maha C9000, except for 8 circuits instead of 4, for $20 more. IMO the C9000 is a better deal. I have so many spare cells I can get by fine with a 4 circuit charger - maybe you can't.

http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/9009/bc9009.php

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-mhc9000-advanced-battery-chargerbrfree-deluxe-storage-case-included-p-405.html?SP_id=&osCsid=9mc4rqj32paikb738ii5i0c1j1

All three of these chargers have a number of programmable features. You can completely discharge and then recharge and measure the actual cell charge capacity in mah, for example. You can fast charge or slow charge. The default charge current on the LC BC-9009 is 200 ma, which takes forever on a AA recharge. So, I charge AAAs first, then put the AAs in before bed. I can turn it up to 1500 IIRC, at which point I'm back to my now-backup-only $12 charger functionally.

I'm using a Maha C9000 charger with AA and AAA Eneloops. The charger and the batteries work well.

The C9000 appears to have more charging, discharging, cycling and battery forming modes than the C801, but it only charges 4 batteries at a time. I have read good reviews for the C801. If you need to charge 8 batteries at a time, that seems be a good option. Some people like the LaCrosse 9009, which is a bit cheaper.

The maha chargers will give you more options to keep your cells running with optimum performance. Thomas DIS is a good place to buy chargers like this.

I've got the 800s that I use with eneloops, and various other batteries. It's been great, even saved some cell that had been unusable with cheaper chargers.

I'm using a Maha C9000 charger with AA and AAA Eneloops. The charger and the batteries work well.

The C9000 appears to have more charging, discharging, cycling and battery forming modes than the C801, but it only charges 4 batteries at a time. I have read good reviews for the C801. If you need to charge 8 batteries at a time, that seems be a good option. Some people like the LaCrosse 9009, which is a bit cheaper.

The LaCrosse 9009 looks good, but the overheating issue kinda spooks me. I think I'm leaning towards the Maha C9000 because, to be honest, I can live with charging "only" four cells at a time.

The LaCrosse 9009 looks good, but the overheating issue kinda spooks me.

huh? what overheating are you referring to?

huh? what overheating are you referring to?

[Update on April 7, 2010]
I hope my overly critical review above did not discourage anyone from buying the BC-700. As of this moment, it is the best value if you are looking for an advanced battery charger/analyzer. This is because:
- The BC-9009 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00077AA5Q/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk) has been recalled recently due to excessive overheating/meltdown incidents.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1294019800&sr=1-2

I personally use the Lacrosse BC-700 which works for AA and AAA cells and has served me well for a couple of years.. Lots of charging options and each bay charges independently. What is nice is that it has 3 adjustable charging speeds.

http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50

I personally use the Lacrosse BC-700 which works for AA and AAA cells and has served me well for a couple of years.. Lots of charging options and each bay charges independently. What is nice is that it has 3 adjustable charging speeds.

http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-700-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50

I just ordered one of these along with some AA and AAA Eneloop cells. The 700 looks like it has a lot of functionality for the price.

Thanks for all the feedback.