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

by Powerex

Product Details

Product Manual [116kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 2 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0002L9IE6
• Item model number: MH-C401FS4AA27
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Unlike other fast chargers, the PowerEX MH-401FS allow you to recharge AA & AAA NiMH or NiCD batteries accurately and coolly, in around 100 minutes (AAA charges in around 1 hour).This charger comes with four AA 2700mAh batteries, AC adapter, car DC adapter, batteries carrying case, and user manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "100-minute" charger not what it used to be, September 22, 2007

By 

NLee the Engineer (Nashua, NH) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Maha PowerEx MH-C401FS4AA27 - Battery charger - battery - rechargeable - AA x 4 - 2700 mAh (Electronics)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars works great, November 24, 2007

By 

Christopher W. Rausch "Chris" (IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maha PowerEx MH-C401FS4AA27 - Battery charger - battery - rechargeable - AA x 4 - 2700 mAh (Electronics)

Works great, I brought back to life some of the batteries that my old charger said were dead! It did not come with the clear plastic cover in the photo, but I don't understand the need for that anyway. I use it with 5 different brands of nimh and ni-cad aa and aaa batteries without any problems. Very simple charge indicator and charges individual cells (the best way), not pairs. Primary use is for nimh AA cells in 5 different Canon powershot digital cameras. Again, this battery charger works Great!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best charger for it's size, June 28, 2009

By 

W. Hohauser (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maha PowerEx MH-C401FS4AA27 - Battery charger - battery - rechargeable - AA x 4 - 2700 mAh (Electronics)

I purchased this a few years ago before the car adapter or a set of batteries were a regular part of the kit so I can't comment on how those work but as a home charger, it's the best I've ever purchased. This charger keeps my Sony rechargeable batteries in better shape than Sony's own charger does. My first set of Sony 2500mAh batteries were charged for the first time in this Maha charger (slow setting) and lasted over 400 pictures in a Canon Powershot S3 during a vacation. The Sony charger, which came with a set of new Sony 2700mAh batteries, could only charge the batteries to about 100 to 150 photos at best. In the Maha PowerEx the batteries went back up to a full charge.

As others have said, the unit gets the batteries REALLY hot if they are 2500 or 2700mAh and if you are charging a full set of four, keep the lid open. With two batteries you can close the lid. Weaker rechargeable batteries also don't create as much heat. Small, compact and efficient, don't be fooled by the size, it's not the same as similar-sized chargers from other companies, this is a great charger.