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MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 12/2/2004 6:37:49 PM   
Red Scholefield



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Product Hazard Alert Oct 03, 2003, 04:53 PM

The MRC Super Brain 969 Pro advertises it is Lithium compatible.

"This powerful charger has an ability to deliver 4.5 amps per channel when
using DC input. Now you can charge two batteries of different voltages or
types simultaneously, or charge one battery while discharging another. For
pro users, the 969 Pro has a variety of settings for optimal charge.

AC/DC delta peak charger with patented MicroPeak Technology
Charges NiCd, NiMH, Li & Pb batteries"

From MRC Super Brain 969 Pro AC/DC Delta Peak Charger with Dual Output and
Discharge Function Instruction Manual.

Model Rectifier Corporation
80 Newfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837-3817
732 225-6360
www.modelrectifier.com

B. CHARGING LITHIUM ION-POLYMER BATTERIES

Never leave batteries unattended when charging. Monitor the temperature of
the battery occasionally during the charge cycle. If batteries become hot,
disconnect immediately.

Because of the volatile nature of Lithium batteries, great care must be
taken when charging these cells. If improperly or over charged, the is the
risk that the battery will explode or catch fire. Please follow instructions
and/or recommendations from battery manufacturer when selecting proper
charge rate.

You should always select 5mV peak threshold for all Lithium Ion/Polymer
batteries. You should also start with a fully discharged battery and do a
"capacity" charge as stated above in step 8. However, do not enter a
capacity higher than the rated capacity of the battery or damage may occur.
If you do not begin with a fully discharged battery, then you will have to
estimate the remaining capacity in the battery. We recommend that you use a
charge rate at no higher than half (0.5 times) the rated capacity (example
for 6OOmAH battery the charge rate = 0.5 x 600 or 0.30 amps). Also, be
careful not to discharge the battery too low (3 volts per cell), or damage
to the battery may occur. We recommend that you use a discharge rate no
higher than 0.2 amps.


LITHIUM BATTERIES DO NOT HAVE A PEAK, IF THE CHARGE IS NOT TERMINATED THE
VOLTAGE JUST KEEPS RISING UNTIL THE BATTERY SELF DESTRUCTS IN MANNER THAT
COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IF THE USER DOES NOT CORRECTLY ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF
CAPACITY REMAINING IN THE BATTERY AT THE BEGINNING OF CHARGE OR THE CAPACITY
HAS DIMINISHED WITH USE, A SERIOUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION WILL EXIST.


Red S.
The Battery Clinic
www.rcbatteryclinic.com

< Message edited by Red Scholefield -- 2/8/2005 1:58:21 PM >


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Red S.
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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 1/30/2005 12:06:04 AM   
gjhinshaw


 

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From: Lathrop, MO, USA
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This is correct!! I found out the hard way on this. I just wish that MRC would buy it back because I don't use it anymore. I used it one time and that was enough for me!!!!! Any suggestions?? Thanks

(in reply to Red Scholefield)
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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 2/8/2005 2:09:54 PM   
Red Scholefield



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quote:

ORIGINAL: gjhinshaw

This is correct!! I found out the hard way on this. I just wish that MRC would buy it back because I don't use it anymore. I used it one time and that was enough for me!!!!! Any suggestions?? Thanks


I urge all who have purchased an MRC 969 to report it to the Consumer Public Safety Commission https://www.cpsc.gov/incident.html Perhaps we can get it pulled from the market and prevent a death.

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 2/8/2005 3:45:25 PM   
gjhinshaw


 

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I got in contact with the company I bought it from and they told me to contact the company. MRC told me that they could not help me due to the fact that I didn't buy it from them. I am just stuck with it. POOR SERVICE if you ask me!!!!

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 2/8/2005 3:57:35 PM   
Red Scholefield



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From: Newberry, FL, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: gjhinshaw

I got in contact with the company I bought it from and they told me to contact the company. MRC told me that they could not help me due to the fact that I didn't buy it from them. I am just stuck with it. POOR SERVICE if you ask me!!!!


Report both of them to the Consumer Public Safety Commission. https://www.cpsc.gov/incident.html otherwise they will get away with this crap if you let them

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 2/27/2005 5:42:52 AM   
mclintock



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I noticed in the tower hobbies flyer just out that the description of the superbrain 969 does not mention LiPo charging at all.


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Clint

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 4/19/2005 6:00:44 PM   
Tester 6



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Joined: 10/17/2002
From: Vero Beach, FL, USA
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Red,

Does this mean that the MRC 969 is no good for NI-CAD / NIMH batterys? Or is it just no good for LIPO/LION?

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 4/19/2005 8:40:24 PM   
Red Scholefield



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quote:

ORIGINAL: Tester 6

Red,

Does this mean that the MRC 969 is no good for NI-CAD / NIMH batterys? Or is it just no good for LIPO/LION?



I found no problem with Ni-Cads or Ni-Mh packs.


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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 4/19/2005 9:51:10 PM   
marzo91



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From: Port Edwards, WI, USA
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I found the same problem with mine. Towers flyers from a year ago says it charges li-ions.
I know because I bought one last year Feb. 2004 knowing I was going to make the switch from nicads to li-ions for my giant scale. I happened to have the year old flyer in my library. Sold my nearly new nicads on the marketplace. All of a sudden the charger wasn't li-ion or li-po compatable.
I called Tower and explained. Guess what happened.....Tower refunded my full amount after a whole year!!!! They said they understood the problems with the charger and made it right.
I was surprised to say the least. Chalk one up for Tower.

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 4/20/2005 12:43:35 PM   
Tester 6



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From: Vero Beach, FL, USA
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Thanks Red, I just ordered one from Tower. I have had good luck with the model 959,which I take to the flying Field.
I have been in full scale aviation all my adult life and beleive in the right tool for the right job. That is why I will purchase
a totaly dedicated LI-PO charger if and when I switch to them. I have read too many complaints about the do-all chargers
that are now available, on the various rc web sites.

(in reply to Red Scholefield)
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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 4/28/2005 11:54:06 PM   
JaWs66



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From: Ventura, CA, USA
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I was just thinking about getting one of these (MRC Super Brain 969 Pro Series) as I need the ability to charge 2 batteries at the same time for my Clodbuster but after reading this warning, Im not sure I want one now. Im only going to be charging/discharging NiCd and NiMh batteries with it, not LiPo batteries. Does anyone here know for sure if this is going to be ok for my needs or not? If not, is there another charger I should be considering?

< Message edited by JaWs66 -- 4/29/2005 2:36:07 AM >


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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 5/15/2005 5:26:03 AM   
biker_ray_pa



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I have a 969 and have had no problems at all with NiMH or NiCad batteries. In fact, it's a great charger and I love it. Just don't use it on LiPo's.


Ray out

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 7/4/2005 5:14:18 PM   
guver


 

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From: LaGrange, OH, USA
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MRC is updating the 969 to 977 specs now and has increased the discharge to 4 amps the charge rate to 5 amps the peak threshold has been reduced to 50 mv. Also they have told me that it can do lithium batts now as a CC/CV charger. I have not tried it cuz I don't have any.

I got all 3 of mine updated and they all work great on the nickel batts.

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RE: MRC 969 Product Hazard Alert - 7/4/2005 6:10:34 PM   
huey-pilot


 

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Do you have the address to send it for the update and was there any fee for the update. Thanks in advance.

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