Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review

Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review
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Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 7/22/2005 3:55:43 AM

RCP57

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From: Magnolia, TX, USA
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Horizon Hobbies shipped my Multiplex LN-5014 charger on 7/20/05. Should have it early next week.

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< Message edited by RCP57 -- 7/27/2005 4:46:53 PM >

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Later,
Mike

Post #: 1

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships - 7/23/2005 6:15:03 AM

Montega

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From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Mine shipped out as well. Can't wait to see what it can do.

(in reply to RCP57)

Post #: 2

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships - 7/27/2005 5:22:48 AM

RCP57

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From: Magnolia, TX, USA
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Well the charger arrived today. Upon opening the box I was pleasantly surprised at the small size of the unit and its overall appearance. I immediately read the rather flimsy, two sheet manual about three times while using the buttons to familiarize myself with the unit. If you are not a battery knowledgeable person and rely solely on the instructions I think your in trouble, they are not well written. However, even someone with limited knowledge like me the unit is very easy to operate. The screen is well lit and you have enough information on the screen for the function, but not too much to become confused. The only thing that took a little thought is in the “Discharge” mode. The unit wants you to put in the “Final Discharge Voltage”. This is actually the number of cells times whatever cut off voltage you want to use. My first battery was a 6 cell, so I took 6 cells x .9v cut off voltage = 5.4v That is the number I plugged in. Maximum “Discharge” current has a maximum voltage of 1A, but that voltage goes down as the number of cells increases. A battery with 1-5 cells can be discharged at 1A, but a 6 cell battery has a max of 0.83A, 7 cells has 0.71A, and it decreases as the number of cells gets higher. On the charge side the only thing that is not adjustable is the “Trickle” charge voltage. If it is adjustable the manual does not state how to, and I sure can’t see a way to adjust it. Overall I like the unit and I’m sure it will see some good use.

_____________________________

Later,
Mike

(in reply to RCP57)

Post #: 3

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships - 7/27/2005 8:00:48 AM

MoJoe

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From: na, BELGIUM
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hey mike. so does it have a fan? also does it have memory? i prob should of waited for more reviews b4 i bought it.

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Post #: 4

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships - 7/27/2005 2:49:06 PM

RCP57

Posts: 373
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From: Magnolia, TX, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: MoJoe

hey mike. so does it have a fan? also does it have memory? i prob should of waited for more reviews b4 i bought it.

No fan. As far as memory, the unit keeps the information entered from the last battery. The are no memory locations to store multiple batteries. The unit is very simple to use. All you need to know about your battery is the "Type" and the "mAh" rating.

"CHARGING" The first thing you do is select the battery "Type", then the charge current in amps. That is it. From that point you can start charging the battery. The unit selects the amount of cells, the sensitivity, and anything else the charger needs.

"DISCHARGING" The first thing you do is select the battery "Type" which is already there if you set up the "Charge" feature, then the discharge current in amps. Then the unit wants you to put in the “Final Discharge Voltage”. This is actually the number of cells times whatever cut off voltage you want to use. An example is a battery with 6 cells x .9v cut off voltage = 5.4v That is it. This function is the same as the charge feature.

"CYCLE" Here the same info is needed as the charge or discharge feature. If you have already entered the info in the charge and discharge modes all you need to enter is weather you want to discharge then charge, or charge then discharge, and the amount of times to cycle the battery. You can enter anything from 1-5 cycles.

I don't think you can go wrong with this unit.

< Message edited by RCP57 -- 7/27/2005 9:38:23 PM >

_____________________________

Later,
Mike

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Post #: 5

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships - 8/1/2005 4:55:58 AM

RCP57

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From: Magnolia, TX, USA
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Well I've run this charger without a break for the last five days. The only time it was not running is when I was programming it for the next battery. This unit has gone up and down and all around without a hitch. If it has any bad habits I sure can't tell. I have charged LiPo, NiCad, NiMh, and I have no complaints. I don't have a PB battery so I can't report on that type. It is a simple unit that has performed flawlessly. I'm a happy camper!

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Later,
Mike

(in reply to RCP57)

Post #: 6

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/4/2005 5:07:53 PM

RCP57

Posts: 373
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From: Magnolia, TX, USA
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Red,

Do you know what the minimum charge rate on NiCAD or NiMH needs to be set at for the trickle charge to kick in? If I charge at .5A there is no trickle charge. However, at 1A the trickle is active at the end of the charge.

According to Multiplex the minimum needs to be 1A for Ni-CAD and there is no trickle for Ni-MH. Can you confirm?

< Message edited by RCP57 -- 8/4/2005 6:29:34 PM >

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Later,
Mike

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Post #: 7

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/6/2005 9:55:20 PM

SpecMan

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From: Montgomery, AL, USA
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The instructions (which are pityful) says the "charge current" is adjustable in 50 MA steps. My unit is only adjustable in 100 MA steps. Are the instructions wrong or is my unit defective?

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RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/7/2005 4:07:53 AM

Josey Wales

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Ive been thinking about getting this charger..I wanted something to cycle my TX and my Li-ion packs as well as being able to charge up Li-poly's for a foamie...I thought Red said that there was a review coming up in MAN this month...Hopefully that review will give some more details..

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Joe

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RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/7/2005 6:22:03 AM

RCP57

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From: Magnolia, TX, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SpecMan

The instructions (which are pityful) says the "charge current" is adjustable in 50 MA steps. My unit is only adjustable in 100 MA steps. Are the instructions wrong or is my unit defective?

My unit is also adjustable in 100 mA increments on the charge side. Obviously the instructions

are incorrect. The instructions

are pretty sad but actually enough for most users, otherwise we would not be able to use the unit. I think that someone beginning to play with batteries could have a hard time and possibly get into trouble using this charger just depending on the instructions. When I first read the instructions and saw "Final Voltage" on the discharge function it took me a little bit to understand what they wanted for an input. I still think it is a great little unit for a very fair price.

_____________________________

Later,
Mike

(in reply to SpecMan)

Post #: 10

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/7/2005 5:15:54 PM

SpecMan

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From: Montgomery, AL, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: RCP57

The instructions are pretty sad but actually enough for most users, otherwise we would not be able to use the unit. I think that someone beginning to play with batteries could have a hard time and possibly get into trouble using this charger just depending on the instructions.

I agree with you, but "instructions or manuals" should be written for newbees above all else. I'm not new to battery charging and I began to understand the subtleties of the LN-5014 after charging several different types of batteries. But, IMHO there is no excuse for poorly written instructions for anything from a shoe horn to a space shuttle. Obviously, this is one of those "little things in life" that irritates me. As you said, the LN-5014 appears to be very good value for the money. And I guess good instructions for the space shuttle is carrying my point a little too far, LOL.

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RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/9/2005 1:55:51 AM

Josey Wales

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How does it compare to the Triton?

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Joe

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RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/9/2005 4:07:31 AM

SpecMan

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From: Montgomery, AL, USA
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I haven't used it enough to compare it to the Triton but so far I have a gut feeling that I "trust it" more so than the Triton. (I've never had the confidence in the Triton that I have in my Alpha4). Even though the instructions for the LN-5014 leave alot to be desired, I believe the LN-5014 is easier to use than the Triton. It does not have the memory capability of the Triton, but that is not an issue for me. IMO the LCD screen with its green back-light is much easier to read than the Triton screen. I don't mean to turn this into a Triton bashing reply but I also think the four buttons on the LN-5014 do a better job than the thumb knob on the Triton. Hopefully, I'll be able to give you a more meaningful comparison in the near future.

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Post #: 13

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/9/2005 4:27:57 AM

Texan

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From: Georgetown, TX, USA
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I've been using mine for a week now and it works great so far. Charged various cell counts and capacity of Nimh and Nicd. The results compare well to my Dymond charger. I also charged 2s and 3s lipo with excellent results.

(in reply to SpecMan)

Post #: 14

RE: Multiplex LN-5014 Charger Ships & Review - 8/9/2005 12:20:58 PM

Josey Wales

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From: **, NJ, USA
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Thanks!! I need to get a Lipo charger so I want to hear about how it compares to the Triton since I dont have either one!

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Joe

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