Maha PowerEx MH-C401FS4AA27 - Battery charger - battery - rechargeable - AA x 4 - 2700 mAh

So far this looks like just another charger and just another set of batteries.....they do not perform any better than the ones they replaced...

Item arrived fast and matched description - almost: Charging the 4 batteries on slow mode took several hours longer than the time specified. However knowing how long one can plan appropriately.Will buy from this seller again.

This is my 2nd charger of this model since 2001. I got tired of carrying the only one I had around, and having to dig it out of my luggage to use at home. Charges fast, charges individually, perfect for the plethora of gadgets that take 3 batteries, and most chargers only charge in pairs.The current model shipping uses a "switching type" light weight wall wart for power, instead of the heavy transformer type that fall out of loose power outlets.Now if there was only a way to rejuvenate abused NiMh batteries, instead of just having the "blinky red light" means time to recycle a 6 week old battery.....

I had purchased the Maha MH-C401FS in December, 2002. I liked it a lot until it failed today in August, 2008.The 12V input was a valuable selling point, allowing me to charge batteries off a car batter while camping. The "smart charging" technology seemed to do a good job (although I'm happier now with a LaCrosse BC-900 that has informational displays). And, in point of fact, it did last over 5 years where it took the kind of predictable abuse across temperatures and with a mix of batteries and brands.However, when it failed today, I didn't notice right away. I had come to be complacent in its reliability. It was only when I went in the upstairs hallway that I smelled that undeniably acrid smell of fried electronics. Since I had been charging my batteries in anticipation of a trip, I first checked the table with the battery chargers.The MH-C401FS was charging 4 AAA batteries on the fast charge setting when something went wrong in the position opposite the door hinge (which was open, by the way). The battery in that slot was brand new when I installed it (a LaCrosse-branded battery, by the way), and the charger had overloaded it so badly that the outer case was cracked from heat, and the positive terminal had pushed out of the casing with enough force to bend the charger's metal contact. The charger's plastic was obviously heated to melting point -- not only where the battery was, but all the way through to the bottom. I have no doubt it could have caught fire -- for instance, if it was a hot day.It's for this reason that I give such a negative rating. I understand that products fail after some number of years -- and 5 years is certainly an okay run -- but the fact that it failed so dangerously is what concerns me. A proper failure would be to shut down when there was too much heat, but it apparently did not do that. Rather, it continued in a dangerous mode far longer than it should have.I have also considered that the battery itself could have failed, but the electronics inside the charger are clearly charred from some kind of malfunction. I am fortunate that the failure occurred on a clear table and not inside a camping tent -- yikes.

Love this charger. Unlike many of the small "fast" chargers which don't have the option of slow charging this one does. So, if you have to fast charge, feel free. But, if you have the time and don't want to damage your batteries just switch it to slow and it will do a beautiful job. Very happy with this one. I also bought the MH-c9000 to recondition and charge my batteries when I am at home. I absolutely cannot say enough about the 9000. Very, very happy with both chargers. Chris

The  MAHA MH-C401FS  is marketed as a "100-minute battery charger". But when you use it to charge up the 2700mAh batteries that came with this charger, you'll most likely have to wait for around 160 minutes. So who lied?The fact is, C401FS charges AA cells at a fixed current of 1000mA (in Fast mode). Several years ago when this charger was first introduced, the average capacity of an AA NiMH cell was much lower. Perhaps back then, it took about 1.6 hours (or 100 minutes) to fully recharge a 1600mAh cell. But today's AA NiMH cells have much higher capacities. So to charge up a 2700mAh cell, it now takes about 2.7 hours (or 160 minutes) to finish the job.Aside from the misleading marketing claim, the C401FS is actually a decent charger. It is a 'Smart' charger that charges each cell individually, and stops when each cell is full. It also allows you to select between Fast (1000mA) and Slow (300mA) charging. Unless you are in a hurry, choose the slow mode since it is better for the cells. Just remember that it takes about 9 hours to fully recharge a 2700mAh cell in slow mode.Unfortunately, the C401FS is also way over-priced for a simple charger in today's market. For about the same cost, you may want to consider an advanced battery charger/analyzer, such as the  La Crosse BC-900  or  BC700  instead.

This is my second one. It was bought to augment, not replace, the first one.These are great devices!

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