Features
Specifications

Feature Value

The Vanson V1EC-V6988 Battery Charger can charge up to 10 AA or AAA NiMH or NiCD rechargeable batteries.

The added feature of this unit is its flexibility and slow pulse charging technology. You can mix any combination of any type of battery in any location.

This unit is an overnight charger and can be used to keep your batteries topped up for short periods ( a day or two )

Price Value

You can find the Vanson V6988 10 Bay Smart Battery Charger for about $35 US. This is a great price considering that your getting the equivalent of 2.5 regular chargers.

Patience is a virtue and most people really should consider a charger that slow charges.

Battery Charge Capacity Tests

During the review, we tested several batteries after being charged in our Reference Chagrer #1 and in the Vanson V1EC-V6988 Battery charger. Although just slightly better, the slow pulse charge and trickle pulse charge does do a better job of topping up most batteries.

( tested results in % of rated capacity, i.e.... for a 2000mAh battery 99% = 1980mAh )

Battery Charging Temperature Tests

Because the Vanson V6988 Battery Charger charges at 250mA, temperature is not an issue.

Coming Soon

Feature Tests

There's not much to say about the features. The bad cell feature works. We received several dead cells and the Vanson V6988 Battery Charger detected them just like some of the other units we've tested.

The discharge function is gentle and discharges at 250mA. You can add batteries and decide whether you want to charge or discharge when you put your new batteries in.

If your already installed batteries are charging, you can add batteries and press the discharge button and only the newly added batteries will start to discharge.

Overall Conclusion

This is a great charger. A fast charger is good when you're going through batteries really fast, but planning is really easy. A second or third set of batteries waiting in this charger will last longer and provide more active cycles of use.

The ten independent channels assures each battery is treated independently. In each and every battery pack we've received, no two batteries have the same capacity.

If you have a family, this unit is ideal for all those toys, remotes and electronic devices.

Original Review Date June, 2006

Charge Mode

The Vanson V6988 Battery Charger charges NiMH or NiCD AA or AAA batteries in any combination of up to ten batteries. The V6988 pulse charges at 250mA and you can actually see and here the pulse charging.

You can add them where you want and order is not important. You can also add or remove batteries when others are discharging or charging. Each channel is fully independent.

Discharge Mode

The V6988 discharges at the same rate is charges, 250mA.The discharge mode discharges the battery completely before recharging to full capacity.

In reality, the NiMH battery does not suffer from the so called "memory effect" ( see NiMH Battery FAQs ). We have noticed that NiMH batteries can show signs of reduced capacity when they are left unused for extended periods of time.

Trickle Charge Mode

Once the batteries are fully charged by detecting the negative delta V, a trickle pulse charge of 25mA ensures the batteries are topped off and maintained.

V1EC-V6988 Specifications :

• Charges Rechargeable Battery Sizes and types: AA & AAA NiCd and NiMH
• Up to 10 AA or AAA batteries, in any location
• 10 fully Independent Charging Channels : mix any AA or AAA in any location.
• Battery Charging Rate : 250mA pulse charging.
• Each individual channel switches to trickle charge when the battery is full.
• Trickle rate of 25mA constant pulse current.
• Bad cell detection
• Discharge Mode (discharging current) - 250mA discharge current
• Included Accessories:
  • AC Adapter