MRC Super Brain 977 any good?

[Dennis Clark]

My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another (about
$100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play with, but
I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that. Can
anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of packs
with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA, 1/3A,
etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a discharger,
just a programmable peak charger.

Any recommendations?

thanks,
DLC

--
================================================== ==========================
* Dennis Clark dlc@frii.com www.techtoystoday.com *
* "Programming and Customizing the OOPic Microcontroller" Mcgraw-Hill 2003 *
================================================== ==========================

[TyBreaker]

Dennis Clark wrote:
> My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another (about
> $100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
> configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play with, but
> I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that. Can
> anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of packs
> with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA, 1/3A,
> etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a discharger,
> just a programmable peak charger.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> thanks,
> DLC
>

I don't have any experience with this one but it is on my shopping list
as well. It can charge two batteries simultaneously but if you don't
care about that, MRC do have a more recent 989 charger that only does
one battery at a time.

--
______ ___ __
/_ __/_ __/ _ )_______ ___ _/ /_____ ____
/ / / // / _ / __/ -_) _ `/ '_/ -_) __/
/_/ \_, /____/_/ \__/\_,_/_/\_\\__/_/
/___/

There are 10 types of people in this world; those who understand the
binary numbering system and those who don't.

There's no place like 127.0.0.1.

ASCII a silly question, get a silly ANSI.

On a clear disk you can seek forever.

[Richard]

"Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
news:12l6u8dn9j7vuc7@corp.supernews.com...
> My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another (about
> $100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
> configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play with, but
> I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that. Can
> anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of packs
> with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA, 1/3A,
> etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a discharger,
> just a programmable peak charger.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> thanks,
> DLC

Why not contact the very helpful people at Tekin and see about getting your
BC112 fixed and get the firmware upgraded while its there.

Cheers

[Dennis Clark]

Richard <DK@hotmail.com.au> wrote:

: "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
: news:12l6u8dn9j7vuc7@corp.supernews.com...
: > My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another (about
: > $100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
: > configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play with, but
: > I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that. Can
: > anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of packs
: > with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA, 1/3A,
: > etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a discharger,
: > just a programmable peak charger.
: >
: > Any recommendations?
: >
: > thanks,
: > DLC

: Why not contact the very helpful people at Tekin and see about getting your
: BC112 fixed and get the firmware upgraded while its there.

Err, because they went out of business a few years ago?

Anyway, any suggestions about a good (about) $100 charger?

DLC
--
================================================== ==========================
* Dennis Clark dlc@frii.com www.techtoystoday.com *
* "Programming and Customizing the OOPic Microcontroller" Mcgraw-Hill 2003 *
================================================== ==========================

[Richard]

"Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
news:12l9brkoo6las58@corp.supernews.com...
> Richard <DK@hotmail.com.au> wrote:
>
> : "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
> : news:12l6u8dn9j7vuc7@corp.supernews.com...
> : > My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another
(about
> : > $100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
> : > configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play with,
but
> : > I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that. Can
> : > anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of
packs
> : > with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA,
1/3A,
> : > etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a discharger,
> : > just a programmable peak charger.
> : >
> : > Any recommendations?
> : >
> : > thanks,
> : > DLC
>
> : Why not contact the very helpful people at Tekin and see about getting
your
> : BC112 fixed and get the firmware upgraded while its there.
>
> Err, because they went out of business a few years ago?
>
> Anyway, any suggestions about a good (about) $100 charger?
>
> DLC
> --

Umm, They have been back in business for about a year now hence the reason I
recommended getting it fixed.

Cheers

[Richard]

"Richard" <DK@Hotmail.com.au> wrote in message
news:4554bde6$1@quokka.wn.com.au...
>
> "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
> news:12l9brkoo6las58@corp.supernews.com...
> > Richard <DK@hotmail.com.au> wrote:
> >
> > : "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
> > : news:12l6u8dn9j7vuc7@corp.supernews.com...
> > : > My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another
> (about
> > : > $100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
> > : > configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play
with,
> but
> > : > I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that.
Can
> > : > anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of
> packs
> > : > with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA,
> 1/3A,
> > : > etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a
discharger,
> > : > just a programmable peak charger.
> > : >
> > : > Any recommendations?
> > : >
> > : > thanks,
> > : > DLC
> >
> > : Why not contact the very helpful people at Tekin and see about getting
> your
> > : BC112 fixed and get the firmware upgraded while its there.
> >
> > Err, because they went out of business a few years ago?
> >
> > Anyway, any suggestions about a good (about) $100 charger?
> >
> > DLC
> > --
>
> Umm, They have been back in business for about a year now hence the reason
I
> recommended getting it fixed.
>
> Cheers
>

Actually if you look at their web page you will probably be supprised that
your trusty old BC112 is still the charger they continue to sell.

Cheers

[Dennis Clark]

Richard <DK@hotmail.com.au> wrote:

: "Richard" <DK@Hotmail.com.au> wrote in message
: news:4554bde6$1@quokka.wn.com.au...
: >
: > "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
: > news:12l9brkoo6las58@corp.supernews.com...
: > > Richard <DK@hotmail.com.au> wrote:
: > >
: > > : "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
: > > : news:12l6u8dn9j7vuc7@corp.supernews.com...
: > > : > My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another
: > (about
: > > : > $100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
: > > : > configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play
: with,
: > but
: > > : > I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that.
: Can
: > > : > anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of
: > packs
: > > : > with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA,
: > 1/3A,
: > > : > etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a
: discharger,
: > > : > just a programmable peak charger.
: > > : >
: > > : > Any recommendations?
: > > : >
: > > : > thanks,
: > > : > DLC
: > >
: > > : Why not contact the very helpful people at Tekin and see about getting
: > your
: > > : BC112 fixed and get the firmware upgraded while its there.
: > >
: > > Err, because they went out of business a few years ago?
: > >
: > > Anyway, any suggestions about a good (about) $100 charger?
: > >
: > > DLC
: > > --
: >
: > Umm, They have been back in business for about a year now hence the reason
: I
: > recommended getting it fixed.
: >
: > Cheers
: >

: Actually if you look at their web page you will probably be supprised that
: your trusty old BC112 is still the charger they continue to sell.

Hmm, their web site does not load. I never knew that they ever came back
so I hacked up the old unit to rescue the power supply for the next
charger I get - Therefore, I no longer have that trusty old unit and I
remember the horrors of the final days of the "former" Tekin all too well
to send the unit to them for service and expect it to come back in my
lifetime.

SO....

Suggestions for another charger? <Not a Tekin>

DLC
--
================================================== ==========================
* Dennis Clark dlc@frii.com www.techtoystoday.com *
* I haven't written a book in two years and I'm feeling "itchy"... *
================================================== ==========================

[Chris Dugan]

> : Actually if you look at their web page you will probably be supprised
that
> : your trusty old BC112 is still the charger they continue to sell.
>
> Hmm, their web site does not load. I never knew that they ever came
back
> so I hacked up the old unit to rescue the power supply for the next
> charger I get - Therefore, I no longer have that trusty old unit and I
> remember the horrors of the final days of the "former" Tekin all too well
> to send the unit to them for service and expect it to come back in my
> lifetime.
>
> SO....
>
> Suggestions for another charger? <Not a Tekin>
>

Dunno about another make of charger apart from LRP (Pulsar sport up to 8A
charger) or Competition Electronics (CE) they are good makes, but Tekin's
website does work did you go here?

http://www.teamtekin.com

It works for me exactly as it did last year when I sent my flakey BC112 in
and got it exchanged within 2 weeks. Not exceptional I'll grant you but take
into account that did include overseas shiupping as I'm in the UK (UK
customs held onto it for a week) and you'll begin to see they are a new
company and only the name and some of the products are old. $75 and you get
a brand new BC112 with your old cables attached to it plus the cost to ship
it to them.

Chris

[Dennis Clark]

Chris Dugan <chrisdotdugan@bloodyobvious.co.uk> wrote:
: > : Actually if you look at their web page you will probably be supprised
: that
: > : your trusty old BC112 is still the charger they continue to sell.
: >
: > Hmm, their web site does not load. I never knew that they ever came
: back
: > so I hacked up the old unit to rescue the power supply for the next
: > charger I get - Therefore, I no longer have that trusty old unit and I
: > remember the horrors of the final days of the "former" Tekin all too well
: > to send the unit to them for service and expect it to come back in my
: > lifetime.
: >
: > SO....

Oh well. I got a Duratrax Intellipeak. It has a LOT more going for it
even if it is a DC only charger and it got great reviews. I'll have to
try again to see if Tekin is really there...

thanks all,
DLC
: >
: > Suggestions for another charger? <Not a Tekin>
: >

: Dunno about another make of charger apart from LRP (Pulsar sport up to 8A
: charger) or Competition Electronics (CE) they are good makes, but Tekin's
: website does work did you go here?

: http://www.teamtekin.com

: It works for me exactly as it did last year when I sent my flakey BC112 in
: and got it exchanged within 2 weeks. Not exceptional I'll grant you but take
: into account that did include overseas shiupping as I'm in the UK (UK
: customs held onto it for a week) and you'll begin to see they are a new
: company and only the name and some of the products are old. $75 and you get
: a brand new BC112 with your old cables attached to it plus the cost to ship
: it to them.

: Chris



--
================================================== ==========================
* Dennis Clark dlc@frii.com www.techtoystoday.com *
* I haven't written a book in two years and I'm feeling "itchy"... *
================================================== ==========================

[Richard]

"Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
news:12lhprsdkedjm2f@corp.supernews.com...
>
> Oh well. I got a Duratrax Intellipeak. It has a LOT more going for it
> even if it is a DC only charger and it got great reviews. I'll have to
> try again to see if Tekin is really there...
>
> thanks all,
> DLC
>
> : http://www.teamtekin.com
>


I assume you got the Intellipeak ICE since this is the only one of the
Duratrax range of chargers that does below 4 cells and above 8 cells.

It is nice charger and will handle what the future holds for battery
capacities or if you ever plan on using Lithium packs and also has some very
nice features. I find it very handy being able to charge my lithium camera
batteries with my RC charger, it does such a nicer job than the one supplied
with the camera.

Cheers

[Dennis Clark]

Richard <DK@hotmail.com.au> wrote:

: "Dennis Clark" <dlc@io.frii.com> wrote in message
: news:12lhprsdkedjm2f@corp.supernews.com...
: >
: > Oh well. I got a Duratrax Intellipeak. It has a LOT more going for it
: > even if it is a DC only charger and it got great reviews. I'll have to
: > try again to see if Tekin is really there...
: >
: > thanks all,
: > DLC

: I assume you got the Intellipeak ICE since this is the only one of the
: Duratrax range of chargers that does below 4 cells and above 8 cells.

: It is nice charger and will handle what the future holds for battery
: capacities or if you ever plan on using Lithium packs and also has some very
: nice features. I find it very handy being able to charge my lithium camera
: batteries with my RC charger, it does such a nicer job than the one supplied
: with the camera.

Correct - You know I never thought about that, charging my camera cells
from it - The charger than came with the Canon camera actually tests,
charges and shuts off, so it does an intelligent peak. I have some other
Lion packs that have a crappy trickle charger that I plan on charging on
the ICE though. I agree, this charger has a LOT in it.

DLC
: Cheers



--
================================================== ==========================
* Dennis Clark dlc@frii.com www.techtoystoday.com *
* I haven't written a book in two years and I'm feeling "itchy"... *
================================================== ==========================

[Karpinski4137]

My old and trusty Tekin BC112 has finally died and I need another (about
$100) charger to handle my variety of NiCd and NiMh cells of many
configurations. The Super Brain 977 seems like the one to play with, but
I've heard grumblings about previous models, so I question that. Can
anyone recommend a NiCd/NiMh charger that can handle a variety of packs
with different numbers of cells and cell types? I use sub-c, AA, 1/3A,
etc. of capacities from 300mah to 4000mah. I don't need a discharger,
just a programmable peak charger.

Any recommendations?

thanks,
DLC

--
================================================== ==========================
* Dennis Clark dlc@frii.com www.techtoystoday.com *
* "Programming and Customizing the OOPic Microcontroller" Mcgraw-Hill 2003 *
================================================== ==========================
I'm selling a Super Brain 977 and the price is right