First Look – Maha MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer
The Maha PowerEx MH-C9000 WizardOne Battery Charger & Analyzer was announced in November of 2006. This device was certainly designed by Maha to compete against the very popular LaCrosse BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger/Analyzer. The MH-C9000 is just now shipping to retail stores worldwide. I was able to purchase a unit at EastGear in Singapore. I have used it for about a week. Below are my observations.
Just like the BC-900, this device accepts only AA and AAA size NiMH and NiCd rechargeable batteries. It allows battery charging, battery matching, battery forming, and measurement of discharge capacity with independent operation of each battery slot.
Key features of the new MH-C9000 include:
- Four independent slots for AA or AAA batteries
- Large backlit LCD
- Digitally displays capacity, voltage, time and current
- Five modes of operations
- Special forming charge and cycle mode
- 30 Selectable charging and discharging speeds
I will spare you repetition of specs/marketing information and give you my impressions of this device compared to the LaCrosse BC-900. If you want to see specs and menu screen captures, go to the EastGear site or download the manual (see link below).
The MH-C9000 is a solid, well-built device. It is considerably larger than the BC-900 and therefore less portable. No pouch/travel kit is provided. The LCD screen is big and easy to read even in the dark (it’s backlit). However, there is no way to turn off the LCD backlight – it always on. At night, it’s bright enough to illuminate a small room. I find that a bit annoying. The viewing angle for maximum contrast is not straight up, but biased about 30 degrees down. There is a substantial loss of contrast off angle, however, the LCD is still easily readable as the characters are large.
There is enough space on the LCD screen to display either alternating information for all 4 slots separately or cycle through the information for all slots simultaneously. Instead, Maha chose to display a large single line with alternating/selectable information for one slot at a time. You can’t just walk over to it and see what’s going on with a glance. It takes a full minute to cycle through for all four slots. Those minutes add up. Much of the information displayed on the LCD screen for the five modes of operation (CHARGE, REFRESH/ANALYZE, BREAK-IN, DISCHG, CYCLE, 1, 2, 3, and 4) could have just as easily been imprinted on the plastic housing freeing space for more data.
Unless you are using the default settings, you need to enter the parameters on each ’slot’ (battery) separately. You can do this on the BC-900 but the default mode allows setting all slots (compartments) simultaneously. The charge and discharge currents can be set independently in the MH-C9000. In the BC-900, the charge current is automatically set at 2x the discharge current.
The Discharge Mode is different in the MH-C9000. Unlike the BC-900 Discharge Mode, it just discharges and does not charge afterwards. Therefore, the Maha unit is more useful for measuring how much capacity is lost from self-discharge. You can measure discharge capacities in the Discharge Mode with the BC-900. However, you must note the discharge capacities before the charge cycle is complete.
The MH-C9000 Refresh & Analyze Mode (charge, rest, discharge, rest, repeat) only goes through two cycles which might not be enough especially for breaking-in and testing a new set of batteries. It would be better if the MH-C9000 had a auto-cycle Refresh Mode like the BC-900*. The MH-C9000 Refresh & Analyze Mode is more like the Test Mode in the BC-900 as it starts with charging and goes through two charge/discharge cycles. Also, if you wanted to do what the MH-C9000 Refresh & Analyze Mode does now, you could simply select Cycle Mode for 1 cycle albeit without the rest periods.
In the Refresh & Analyze and Cycle Modes, the MH-C9000 does not display the most recent discharge capacitiy until the subsequent rest step (one hour) is over. If you remove the batteries prematurely, data are lost.
The MH-C9000 has a battery Break-In Mode (IEC 61951-2 Capacity Analysis). This mode applies a 16-hour 0.1C charge, one-hour rest, followed by a 0.2C discharge, rest again, and finally a 16 hour 0.1C recharge again. It would be useful if the MH-C9000 had a way to do a 16-hour forming charge without doing the entire IEC Test Cycle. Sometimes you only need to form the cells without the wait period which triples the time needed.
The default 1A charge and 500mA discharge rates are typical for 2000-2700mAh cells (0.5-0.4C and 0.4-0.2C, respectively) which eliminate the need for entering parameters for each slot. The BC-900 uses a default charge current of 200mA which is too low and most likely a legacy setting. Just like the BC-900, the MH-C9000 will revert to charging at the default rate after power is interrupted.
Before starting any cycle, the MH-C9000 goes through an impedance check of each battery. If any battery fails the test, ‘HIGH’ is displayed and the program is terminated. The BC-900 has the same feature and simply displays ‘NULL’.
Not mentioned in the manual is a “TOPOFF CHARGE” which is applied in certain modes after rapid charge termination to top off the battery. The rate is typically 0.1C ( approx. 200mA ) and is applied for one hour. After that, an indefinite trickle charge is applied, usually at 0.005C (so around 10mA for AA rechargeable batteries) using modulated pulse trickle charge. The trickle charge assures good battery performance even if the batteries are left in the charger for an extended period of time. The BC-900 also applies a trickle charge after charging is complete.
The MH-C9000 has an issue with charge termination – discussed in depth on the CandlePowerForums. I experienced it charging set of Sanyo 2700 AA batteries at the default 1,000mA charge current. The final charge capacities were 2,253, 3,440, 3,587, and 5,680mAh. The batteries became hot toward the end of the cycle. Keep in mind these are charge capacities not discharge capacities. Still, they should not be this far from the nominal capacity**.
A simple metal bracket (lift rod) pops out from the back of MH-C9000 raising the unit off the supporting surface, probably to help air flow for cooling. Heat is well-controlled even at high charge currents.
Some users have reported that the terminals on the MH-C9000 can tear the battery wrappers on removal unless some care is taken. I have not experienced this problem with PowerEx, Sanyo, or Varta batteries. The batteries fit quite tightly in MH-C9000 which could be a problem with batteries that have thin, easily peelable wrappers such as GP batteries.
Neither the MH-C9000 nor the BC-900 have an on/off switch. To restart either device, you need pull out the power cord. Both devices have an international power adapter (input: 100-240V 50/60Hz ) and 12V car adapters (not included).
An overdue and desirable feature would be a USB connection to a PC with a software interface that would allow control of the device and data storage. An PC interface also would allow for easy firmware updates. How about it Maha or LaCrosse?
Download the MH-C9000 User’s Manual here. It is worth noting that User Manual is quite brief. For more information and FAQ, checkout this thread on the CandlePowerForums.
In summary, the MH-C9000 could be serious competition for the BC-900. It needs a few firmware changes (esp. 4-slot display) and better charge termination at slow charge rates.
Robert’s Rating: 
(first rev. firmware)
Resources
Shop for the Maha MH-C9000 on eBay.
Shop for the LaCrosse BC-900 on eBay.
Price: —
1 suppliers – prices from USD 54.95
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Update Jan. 16. 2007: I am still experiencing charge termination problems with some NiMH batteries (both AA and AAA). This is the same issue described above and discussed in the CandlePowerForums. I have asked EastGear to clarify this problem with Maha. My rating is on hold.
Update Jan. 18, 2007: Maha’s response to the problem of charge termination is, “if the charging was done at 0.2C and the MH-C9000 will not terminate properly with new or older batteries, please proceed to use the rate at 0.5-1C “. This response is simply unacceptable. The same batteries can be charged at slow or fast currents with the BC-900. Why should I have to wait 6-8 hours to find out whether of not the MC-C9000 will terminate charging? Then, set it up again. Also, charge rates of 0.5-1C (C=capacity) are detrimental to battery longevity.
Update Feb. 12, 2007: I have returned the Maha MH-C9000 to the retailer for a refund. For now, I will stay with the Lacrosse BC-900. It’s been on the market for several years and the 2nd generation firmware (v33) is trouble free.
Update Mar. 18, 2007: Word on the street is that Maha quietly recalled remaining product from retailers and did a firmware upgrade. The new version will be available very soon. If you decide to buy the Maha MH-C9000, make sure you get one with the new firmware as it is not upgradeable by the owner. Caveat emptor!
Update December 31, 2007: According to information posted on CandlePower Forums, Maha MH-C9000 chargers shipped after March 2007 have the revised firmware (Serial Number starts with 0G). Also, see the first comment below. Evidently, the charge termination problems have been fixed.
At this point, I don’t have time to retest the Maha MH-C9000 with second rev firmware. Also, there are other things I don’t like about it (i.e., size and LCD). I will keep using my LaCrosse BC-900. It’s much smaller and works very well.
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*The MH-C9000 Users Manual states that the Refresh & Analyze Mode can be repeated up to three times. However, it is not done automatically.
**I then placed the same batteries in the BC-900 using the Discharge Mode (1,000mA/500mA). The final charge step gave charge capacities in the normal range (2,500-3,000mAh).
I just heard from Thomas Distributing that they have been shipping the new firmware version 0g. The original was 0f. I confirmed this with MAHA. No word on what was fixed (should have asked).
How to check wich firmware use my Lacrosse BC-900?
When you turn on the BC-900, you will briefly see the firmware rev appear in the LCD for the No. 4 position. Mine says ‘33′.
“Update June 1st: I have no intention to retest the Maha MH-C9000 with second rev firmware”
That makes your whole test useless. Firmwares are there to improve things. You do recommend the La Crosse, but only with…and here it comes… 2nd generation firmware…doh! You don’t make any sense.
“The MH-C9000 has an issue with charge termination – discussed in depth on the CandlePowerForums.”
For the last hour I’ve been reading that thread about termination problems thinking that it is indeed a problem with the MH-C9000. When I ended on page 20 the thread stopped, with a last post in February 2007. I wondered why that was so I searched for all posts with ‘MH-C9000′ in the description and it turns out that Maha actually solved the problem in February and none of the MH-C9000 builds since that month have any of these terminator problems. Since that period I read nothing but very positive reviews about this product and in the majority of the people think it’s now better than the BC-900, again – based on what I read on that forum.
So I think I was fair to think that you should have tested with the new build. You have never done this and because of this you’ve given your visitors false information.
You have also compared a brand new model with no major updates to BC-900 which was much more mature, had received much more updates, which is like comparing apples with oranges.
Why, because you’re so in love with LaCrosse BC-900 and want to make the MH-C9000 look bad, like childish MAC users want to make Windows users look bad?
And as for the 4 slot display that it’s missing; true, but not really important, it doesn’t make the charger perform better on the BC-900 in any way and that’s what people actually buy a charger for.
Oh, and btw, even if you didn’t have the will or time to test the new MH-C9000 released in February/March, then at least you could have updated your “updates list”, because I doubt you didn’t know by the time you posted the June 1st update that you didn’t know how well the newer MH-C9000 actually perform. What childish of you…
At the time I returned my unit, my dealer was packing up their remaining stock and returning it to Maha. It wasn’t clear until later in 2007 that the new firmware was actually released in March 2007 with serial numbers beginning with OG. Maha chose to be low-keyed about the firmware rev. They did not and have not released any information on what changes were made or when they were made. A mistake, in my opinion. All the information available was hearsay.
As stated above, I didn’t retest and don’t plan to retest the MH-C9000 because there are other things I don’t like about it. Do your own due diligence and make your own choice.
When I turn on the BC-900, I will briefly see the firmware rev in the LCD No. 4 position. Mine says “35″?
Bill
I find this very amusing. Guess what Robert [author of this article], your precious BC-900 [version 33] is prone to going up in smoke. Versions 32, 33 and to a lesser extent version 34 have been reported to literally melt batteries and some of these bc-900 chargers themselves have melted. Fire hazard indeed. There is now a version 35 available and although there have not been any public reports of this particular version causing meltdown issues, just wait. The toasteroven complex generally rears its ugly head anywhere from a the first week of ownership to 2 yrs. down the road. If your version 33 has been flawless, count yourself lucky. Another serious issue with Lacrosse is their customer service. Terrible…and that’s on a good day. Steer clear of Lacrosse if you value customer service and reliability of products. Last but not least, Lacrosse Bc-900 algorithm used to calculate/display your lovely mah ratings/voltage is not as accurate as the Maha c-9000. So, you’re welcome to believe those numbers on your screen if you wish. This is not to say Mh-C9000 is without issues, such as repeating digit [in cycle mode = fixed in 2nd version]. Termination problems [in charging mode = fixed in 2nd/3rd version]. AAA batteries sometimes not making proper contact, or losing contact. The negative AAA terminals need to be adjusted forward. This issue has yet to be resolved.
Yet, at the end of the day…I’d rather have a product that doesn’t have the history of melting down, nor a history of crap customer service, like Lacrosse. So…don’t be blind man..open your eyes and look at the pros/cons of all products. You, unfortunately have chosen the lesser product, simply because you own it.
I have to say that after a few days of owning this charger, I highly recommend to avoid it. I used to have BH-900, which I accidentally fried by connecting it to wrong transformer. This unit overheats and overcharges batteries thus decreasing their life. A hint should be that the adaptor with 2A cannot in anyway provide 2A for each slot by any other way but pulsating the current.
So f.g. by choosing charging current of 500mA, you will end up having current pulses from 0 to 1500mA. Re-flex charging is excellent thing, but the max charge peak should not exceed the entered rate by that much and not that often it heats up the battery.
Other charger I have (for rc-models) is Duratrax ICE and it’s reflex charge is like it should be. At 500mA charge, it peaks to 1A for a half a second every minute or so. This way the battery won’t heat up at all.
This unit will be hidden in the dark corner of closet and BH-900 will be ordered in, since I use rechargable batteries quite a lot, I kinda like them to stay in shape for as long as possible.