Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge

Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> MRC Charger Product Support (i.e. Super Brain, etc) >> Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge

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Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/30/2007 1:57:46 AM

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From: Lincoln University, PA, USA
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My 960 often shuts off before the pack is fully charged. I can usually get more capacity from the pack with a slow charge at a low rate. Is there something wrong with my charger, or is there a setting I should be adjusting?

Mark

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Mark
40% Carden Edge 540, 34% CA Model Extra 330L

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/30/2007 10:52:29 PM

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From: Edison, NJ, USA
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What is the voltage and capacity of the battery? Also, what charge rate and mv settings are you using?

(in reply to Aerobat)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/31/2007 1:41:56 AM

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From: Lincoln University, PA, USA
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I'm using 2100 ma 4 and 5 cell Nickel Metal packs, and 8 cell 600 and 1100 ma Nicd transmitter packs. The settings are the default - I'm not changing anything.

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Mark
40% Carden Edge 540, 34% CA Model Extra 330L

(in reply to Tim@MRC)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/31/2007 2:09:49 PM

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From: Edison, NJ, USA
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Are the batteries getting warm at all? Do you notice if the voltage on the screen is increasing?

(in reply to Aerobat)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/31/2007 2:54:53 PM

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From: Lincoln University, PA, USA
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They aren't getting warm at all. The voltage increases but it seems to cut off early.

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Mark
40% Carden Edge 540, 34% CA Model Extra 330L

(in reply to Tim@MRC)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/31/2007 3:16:18 PM

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From: Edison, NJ, USA
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Are all of these new batteries?

(in reply to Aerobat)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 8/31/2007 3:59:46 PM

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From: Lincoln University, PA, USA
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They vary - the NM packs are in their second season. As I said I can get good capacity on a slow charge - I the 600 ma transmitter pack actually tested at 650 ma capacity.

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Mark
40% Carden Edge 540, 34% CA Model Extra 330L

(in reply to Tim@MRC)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/7/2007 10:43:24 PM

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From: Edison, NJ, USA
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If these are all receiver and transmitter packs, then I would use nothing higher than a 1C charge rate. So I would use either 2 or 2.5 amps for the 2100, and 0.5 – 1.5 amps for the transmitter packs.

(in reply to Aerobat)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/11/2007 5:22:09 PM

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From: , OH, USA
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I have the same issue w/ my 960 trying to charge 6 cell sub c intellect 1400 packs for my 1/18th scale buggy. I keep starting it over and it will charge for another 20 minutes, but even after getting over an hour of "charge" time the batteries still don't get warm. I'm charging at 2 volts and 3mv (6 cell packs). MRC told me to keep track of the time I was charging and just keep starting it over until it was charged the right amount. Sometimes it works fine and the battery is slightly warm, but not too often. Doesn't seem right to me. It's funny that I picked up on this thread just now because I was having trouble w/ this and it's getting frustrating so I had brought it to work w/ me today so that I could sit here at my desk w/ it and keep an eye on what it is doing. I'm about ready to buy a different brand charger. It was actually a last minute decision to get this one and I'm kicking myself for it.

(in reply to Tim@MRC)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/13/2007 3:31:10 PM

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Your Intellect battery is brand new? It's a 1400mah NiMH? It may false peak the first or second time charging, but after that it should charge up every time. I would use 1.5 - 2.0 amps and 30mv for the first charge or two. Then after that you can safely charge them at 2.5 amps. If it still false peaks after that then let me know.

Tim

(in reply to bshelford)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/19/2007 8:06:28 PM

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Tim,
The batteries each have about 10 charges on them now. When they were brand new they charged right up (the first charge) just like I thought they should. Ever since, I get false peaks multiple time per charge. The voltage increases, but it usually peaks within the first couple minutes (sometimes seconds) and then every 20-25 minutes. I've just been restarting it over and over until I sense a little warmth in the battery. I have been charging them at 1.5 or 2 amps @ 3ma. I have even charged them at .5 amps just for grins and nothing seems to matter. It's pretty annoying to say the least. The battery's have not been charged above 2 amps because I thought that was as high as I should go. I will try them at 2.5 and let you know what happens. It seems like at 1.5 to 2 amps it takes about 1 - 1.5 maybe 2 hours of approx. total time for the batteries to start warming, maybe a little more, but usually by that time I have hit the reset button 4 or 5 times. It does the same thing w/ the stock 600 mah battery. Only once can I remember it actually charging a battery fully all the way to a slight warm up since the first time. I just about fell off my chair. :-) Thanks for your input. I'll get back to you.

(in reply to Tim@MRC)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/19/2007 8:54:53 PM

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From: Tampa, FL, USA
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Well, I had the same thing happen with two different Sub-C cells (Single cells for my Glow Plug Driver). I thought they were just bad cells, because my two other cells charged up OK.

FYI ~ I cut the end off a wall charger and attach it to the 960 and the Glow Plug Driver (With the Cell in it). I charge it this way.

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Sincerely, rabidsquirrel (A.K.A. Shawn Cartwright)
Hyper 8.5; P5X/Plus 21-5K; Futaba 3PM HRS; Hitec

(in reply to bshelford)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/26/2007 12:04:10 AM

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From: Toledo, OH, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: rabidsquirrel

Well, I had the same thing happen with two different Sub-C cells (Single cells for my Glow Plug Driver). I thought they were just bad cells, because my two other cells charged up OK.

FYI ~ I cut the end off a wall charger and attach it to the 960 and the Glow Plug Driver (With the Cell in it). I charge it this way.

I tried this, made a jumper with my wall charger cord. After I hooked it to the 960 it would not recognize the battery being attached. (cut the wall charger cord, solder on a deans. plug it in. **I have deans on everything** .. I hooked up the jumper (wall charger cord) to another charger and it recognized and charged it without a problem.

Tim, or any other MRC rep - - I have other 960 issues to post in a seperate thread.

(in reply to rabidsquirrel)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/26/2007 12:15:42 AM

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Deleted. wrong post

< Message edited by SirKarnage -- 9/26/2007 12:17:25 AM >

(in reply to Aerobat)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/26/2007 4:52:22 PM

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From: Edison, NJ, USA
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BSHELFORD,
I didn't realize that the charger worked perfectly before and is now not working properly. Why don't you send it in to us and let us take a look at it for you.

SirKarnage,
The 960 should pick up a single cell with no problem. However, if the battery voltage is 0, then the charger won't recognize the battery as even being there. You can also check continuity on the charge leads you made to make sure everything is fine there.

(in reply to bshelford)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/27/2007 5:11:45 PM

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From: , OH, USA
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Tim,
This is the only charger I have. It was new w/ the car and the batteries. If I send it in and don't get something back soon, I will need to purchase another charger. At this point it won't be an MRC. This charger was purchased new on July 24th of this year from Tower and has not worked as I feel it should more than a handfull of time. What do I need to do to send it in. I'm waiting for some parts from the car that are going to take a couple of weeks to receive, so now's as good a time as any. I'll watch for your reply.

Thanks.

(in reply to Tim@MRC)

RE: Superbrain 960 - not getting full charge - 9/27/2007 8:32:17 PM

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Joined: 7/24/2006
From: Edison, NJ, USA
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Just send i