Enhanced Version 2.1 of the charger BM200

CONCLUSION
By BTL4 can batteries loaded, unloaded, tested and refreshed and by the determination of voltage, internal resistance, discharge capacity, charging time and charging capacity provides the useful information BTL4 about the state of batteries.

Properties which are distinguished the BTL4 over similar chargers: larger display, display illumination, longer distance of batteries for ventilation and extraction, internal resistance test, single channel temperature monitoring, at any time single channel selection or all bays Selection and Adjustment also display or mode without battery change. 400mA charging current preset 200mA to 1000mA adjustable. Discharging each half the size of 100mA to 500mA. When using the two outer bays (up to 1400mA and 700mA).

The board is stable. Equipment and power supply are packed in unsealed bags.

VERSION
On the carton is "Basetech", "BTL4" on top of the device "Basetech" and on the bottom "model BM200", "Basetech", "Distributed by Conrad Electronic". Compared to my purchased as BM200 device the BTL4 has a newer improved firmware version. After connecting to the mains the display of BTL4 shows all link for about one second, the firmware version Summer "2.1". The BM200 is no version Summer. Of the printing aside the hardware is externally visually indistinguishable. When the batteries sit BM200 but extremely strong and wear at the poles of small Krazter or dents. When BTL4 this issue is resolved. In addition, the BTL4 has a PSU with angled connector, while the same was delivered with straight connector when BM200.

DETAILS
In the box were 4-page manuals in A4 format in German, English and some other languages ​​in the form of loose sheets. The instructions are easy to understand and where I read it correctly.

The unit makes a very solid impression. Thanks to its size remains some distance between the batteries: Good for ventilation and cooling of the batteries. The mains plug and inserted batteries sit neatly and securely in the device.

The LCD display is large and easy to read and is illuminated after each keystroke 30s.

The default charging current is 400mA. The charging currents (and thus the half as large discharge currents) are in 200mA increments immediately after plugging in the AC adapter set (for all batteries) and after inserting a battery for the corresponding battery and by selecting one or all slots and readjustment of mode , The mAh count then begins again. The indicator blinks then each for 10 seconds. As long as there are flashing more battery slots, this will continue to put together. The distance of the streams, however, remains. When you put batteries in only the outer two slots, there are up to 1400mA possible. Occupied you also have one or two of the inner shafts are maximum 1000mA adjustable for all batteries and the setting outside is then automatically downloaded to 1000.

The displayed value (mA, V, or mAh h) can also be changed during operation at any time individually by slot selection for each slot or set together without slot selection for all. mA shows the actual current (due to the pulse method averaged over approximately 1 second).

With the Quick-Test can be the internal resistance (= impedance) determine the battery.

In test after charging and discharging the discharged capacity (mAh) is displayed even after the battery is recharged. So it should be.

In my experiments the BTL finished loading about 5% against the maximum capacity of the battery. Thus overcharging is prevented reliably and extends the service life of the battery.

The power consumption of the charger is between 12W and (loading with 4x1000mA) and 0.5W (without batteries), 0.6W with trickle charge (4x20mA). Who often need batteries, can leave the charger with the battery in the socket. Each year approximately 5 kWh consumed at a cost of 1.50 euros.

When unloading 4x500mA I have measured a maximum of 42 ° C by infrared thermometer, when loading 4x1000mA maximum of 45 ° C. Temperature shutdowns I have not observed. For batteries with high internal resistance and towards the end of the charging time, the charging currents are sometimes reduced.

TIPS
The trickle charge is approximately 20mA. If you want to use the full battery capacity, the battery can be simply a few hours longer in the device or one switches again to store. Typically, again about 5% be recharged then within several minutes before the device FULL displays. In cold batteries that is gentle. However, the batteries lose again on the first day already turned percent.

To protect the negative pole-springs of the charger, you should always only use the negative pole, and then press down until the positive terminal. And the take out only positive then negative.