Using the MH-C9000 In "Refresh & Analyze" Mode

The following are two tables which represent the usage of 4-2700mAh NiMH batteries which were placed into the MH-C9000 WizardOne. These batteries are 6 months old, and the results below demonstrate the typical loss of a battery over time. However, further on down, we will take a look at how the MH-C9000 handles the batteries in Break-In mode, which supposedly brings a battery's charge capacity back to life. Does it really work? Well, let's take a closer look.

Maha 2700mAh NiMH using "Refresh & Analyze" Mode
Battery Ref #	mAh Capacity	Minutes	Voltage
1	2533	333	1.43V
2	2484	330	1.42V
3	2586	342	1.43V
4	2602	348	1.43V
The settings in this case were the default settings. For the 2700mAh batteries, the MH-C9000 used a Charge of 1000mAh and a Discharge of 500mAh

Using the MH-C9000 In "Break-In" Mode

Maha 2700mAh NiMH using "Break-In" Mode
Battery Ref #	mAh Capacity	Minutes	Voltage
1	2754	363	1.44V
2	2735	366	1.44V
3	2779	372	1.44V
4	2754	365	1.44V

Break-In Mode Works

As you can see from the tables above, the Break-In mode definitely works. After completion (which took about 48hrs with 4-2700mAh AA batteries) this mode informs you of the absolute capacity of your battery. In addition, the voltages are regulated as well. You can see the MH-C9000 does a great job at cleaning up your batteries.

A Note About The "Min" Display

Unfortunately, the display of the time on the charger is misleading because it only gives the amount of time elapsed for that particular sub-mode (i.e., "routine") of operation (such as Discharging, Charging, or when the batteries are at Rest). The MH-C9000 uses multiple routines within each major mode selection, and does not give the total overall time it took from beginning to end. I'm somewhat confused as to why this particular feature is even offered on the MH-C9000 because while informative of that particular completed routine, you would technically have to be present during the entire charging mode and notate the elapsed time after every routine was finished in order to get a better idea of just how much time actually elapsed. This is impossible since, for example, the Break-In mode takes about 48hrs to complete. One would think just by looking at the charger's final elapsed time display, that it took only about 5hrs to complete the entire mode process. This can be very misleading.

Maha needs to change the time elapsed to either show the total elapsed time, or provide a little more dynamic versatility by offering the user to press the "ENTER" button when a particular slot is selected, and with each press, cycling through the different times of each routine, and finally, a total elapsed time displayed. A total elapsed time is needed at minimum because it gives the user the opportunity to record just how long a particular battery took to complete an entire cycle of routines.

Battery Matching

One of the reasons why the MH-C9000 is such a valuable tool is because you can match batteries of the same or nearly the same capacity. Ever had a few batteries which you knew were good, but weren't so sure about a few others and yet mixed them together? The MH-C9000 will tell you exactly what the capacity is of your AA and AAA batteries, and you can then begin to separate them into a more powerful batch of portable power for your electronics. Poorly matched batteries are not good for your electronics because the batteries with the higher capacities do most of the work, and the lower capacity batteries, do less. This type of usage will dramatically reduce your higher capacity batteries much more quickly. Placing batteries of the same capacity together will greatly extend their life because they will all be drained of power much more equally.

Does The MH-C9000 Stay Cool?

In my experience using the AA 2700mAh batteries, the MH-C9000 kept the batteries cool like the latest Maha chargers. One word of caution though. Since the MH-C9000 offers variable charging rates, you could potentially fry your batteries. In most situations, the WizardOne will automatically handle the charging and discharging by sensing the capacity of the batteries. Typically, a higher charging rate will reap warmer temperatures of the batteries themselves, so caution should be used when selecting non-default currents. For those individuals who know how to customize the charging current for their particular situation, the MH-C9000 is certainly welcome to compliment the request with a wide range of charging and discharging options.