Floyd, Rod, and others that expressed interest:
I'm not familiar with the A&A charger, unless it is like the one in
the 1995 Handbook.
The Summit Products unit is available in several kit forms:
1. $29.95 with instructions, PCB, controller chip, panel label /
template.
2. $49.95 complete kit with all components except those required for
custom configuration.
3. $69.95 wired / tested ready for custom configuration to your battery
type.
$7.50 for shipping/handling for each kit.
It uses a ICS1702N chip for the controller. Nice circuit. I put mine in
one of
R/S utility cabinets, the 270-253. I built my own transformer /
rectifier circuit
using an HP ink jet printer wall transformer.
The only drawback is, it is primarily for one battery voltage since it is
custom
configured to charge/discharge precisely for that mA capacity and
voltage,
but there are instructions to add a switch for multiple battery voltages.
I use it to charge the expensive HT batteries for my Yaesu FT-51 HT.
The Summit Products units have no provisions for custom battery cases, so
you must use an existing charger cup, or fabricate your own to match your
particular battery style. I use the cups from Battery Tech with my
Summitt
charger, too! :-)
The ones from Battery Tech are very nice too, and will automatically
adjust
to almost any cell voltage from 4.8v to 13.2v. I have the MasterCharger
I+I,
with battery cups for my Yaesu and the XYL's KenWood HT. I also use it to
charge a miriad of other Nicads I have around the house, from the
cordless
vacuum to the cam corder batteries. It is quick, and uses a Phillips
micro-
controller to monitor the delta-v drop when the battery reaches full
charge.
It is actually made by W&W Associates, and is a very nice unit. The dual
cup
MasterCharger I+I unit I have is $109.00, the MasterCharger I is $85.00,
and the smaller MasterCharger IIa is $39.00 for one battery cup, $69.00
for the dual cup unit. It charges in 8 to 14 hours, where the
MasterCharger
I takes 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours. The bigger unit will charge up to 1.5 amps.
The
battery cups are custom built to your HT battery application, and
additional
ones may be ordered for other battery brands / types.
They all come with the appropriate wall-wart, or can be used with 12v as
from
your station power supply or auto.
Give Battery-Tech a call for a catalog at 1 800 442-4275. They also carry
lots
of replacement batteries for other stuff like cell phones and cam
corders. All their
stuff is American made and good quality. I have HT batteries from them
for my
Yaesu and the wife's KenWood HT, and they have lasted well and were less
costly than the factory batteries.
If you want to build your own charger for a specific battery application,
I would
recommend the Summit Products unit. It is a really nice design that
should
maximize your batteries' life and capacity. Everything you need to
complete its
construction (except the PCB and chip) is available at R/S. Read the
article
about it in World Radio March 1996 or call them at 702 782-7622.
I think both are really nice chargers, but the Summit Products unit will
probably extend the life of your Nicads more, and is based on the latest
technology in charging Nicad / NiMH batteries. The Battery Tech / WW
Associates design is more universal because of its charging design, and
works very well too.
You will have to supply the transformer / rectifier for the Summit
Products unit, or
use a DC supply you may already have.
I always see Battery Tech people at the Ft. Tuthill hamfest, and have
bought
batteries from them at their table. I don't know if either of these
companies are
on the Web, but you could look for them with your favorite search engine.
Hope this is what you wanted to know. Standard Disclaimers apply.
73,
Gary Surrency AB7MY
S&S TAC-1(40&80m) and ARK30, AT-11 (QRO and QRP)
QRP-L #571 Chandler, AZ (near Phoenix)Grid Square DM43BH
Az ScQRPions
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