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Question about Kenwood rapid chargers

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:33 pm
by N3AAG
Hi folks!

Anybody know, Kenwood rapid chargers, in particular KSC-11, KSC-20, BC-19, do the "trickle charging" (or may be another recharging method?), after rapid phase has been complete?

Supplied manuals does not explain this moment :(

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Just FYI:
Trickle Charging: This mode of charging applies a very low current to maintain the battery at its maximum capacity until you are ready to use it. It does this by replenishing the internal leakage of the fully charged battery. Since Trickle Charge mode maintains the replenished state of the battery, it is recommended that you keep the battery in the charger (in Trickle Charge mode) until you are ready to use it.

Re: Question about Kenwood rapid chargers

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:38 am
by 1 ADAM 12
Just FYI:
Trickle Charging: This mode of charging applies a very low current to maintain the battery at its maximum capacity until you are ready to use it. It does this by replenishing the internal leakage of the fully charged battery. Since Trickle Charge mode maintains the replenished state of the battery, it is recommended that you keep the battery in the charger (in Trickle Charge mode) until you are ready to use it.
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Actually thats not good advice.... a battery left in a charger that maintains a constant trickle charge will lead to battery issues and battery death. A general rule of thumb is that after a rapid charger has gone over to indicating charged, ie a green light figure somwhere between 3-5 hours fo the trickle phase to top off the battery. If you are leaving batteries in for long periods, then a charger that checks it battery state and only charges when it has dropped below is recommended.
Chargers such as the AdvanceTec and a few other do this and they do keep batteries going. Another option is to put you batteries on a wall timer, so that they shut off after a certain cycle. There are plenty of opinions out there but do some research on the web and you may find some interesting answers. As to your chargers, if they are rapids, than likely they switch over to a trickle when the green light comes on.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:22 pm
by Splat
My buddy damaged his TK-3180's battery by leaving it in its charger overnight. I know his battery's useable time is now considerably less than it was.

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:21 pm
by N3AAG
Splat wrote:My buddy damaged his TK-3180's battery by leaving it in its charger overnight. I know his battery's useable time is now considerably less than it was.
I think that in case with your buddy, it is has been regular charger, not rapid. Because, as I know, regular charger does not end charging process until battery will be removed from charger.