sfaust
Posts: 1800
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston,
MA, USA
Status: offline
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No it doesn't qualify under "better price" category, but its not in the same class either, so one wouldn't expect it to. Just as the Alpha doesn't qualify under "better price" against any of the other multi-port chargers on the market because it has more ports, more features, etc. The Miniron has an additional port, it has twice the charge current, and it can charge Lithium packs, all things the Alpha can't claim.
It does perform a cycle on a 15 day basis, which I don't like for the same reasons you do. However, I never leave my batteries connected after a charge on the Alpha, and don't plan to on the Miniron either, so for me its a moot point. I'm also not sure if it performs this cycle in all programming modes, or just in specific modes, and its one of the things I will be checking for while bench testing it. The other thing is that in reading the manual its possible that it is using negative discharge pulses which renders it useless for turbines. Unfortunately, using negative discharge pulses will destroy the ECU if charged in the normal fashion with a charge switch/jack. Instead, the battery must be physically disconnected from the ECU to be charged.  I need to confirm both of these with the manufacturer and/or testing.
The 15 day cycle isn't an issue for me, and well worth any trade-off for getting the 2amp current, ability to charge lithiums, 5 ports instead of 4, a sequential mode. However, if it does indeed use negative discharge pulses, thats a killer for me, and probably most turbine pilots  I'll figure it out and post back in a separate topic and not tie up the Alpha thread.
< Message edited by sfaust -- 4/20/2004 10:18:44 AM >
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Stephen
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