MRC super brain 969 smarter than ever

Radio Control Car Action, Aug 2003 by Vieira, Peter

When it was released in 1998, MRC's original Super Brain charger brought reliable, microprocessor-controlled, peak-detection technology to a lower-than-ever-before price point, and the Super Brain 959 that followed in 2001 added new features (most notably, an LCD and adjustable amperage and voltage threshold) with barely a price increase. Most recently, the $60 Super Brain 959 was half the price of the next most affordable charger in the April 2003 issue's "Pro Charger Guide." Now MRC is set to release another addition to the Super Brain family: the 969. With more features, a new look and bold claims from MRC, this latest Brain-box could be a worthy competitor for some of RC's priciest chargerseven though it costs only about $100. Let's see what the Super Brain 969 can really do.

OPERATION

Five buttons operate the 969. "A/B select" toggles the LCD between the 969'5 two outputs, so each output can be programmed independent of the other. "Display select" cycles the LCD screen through the settings: number of cells, charge rate, discharge rate, voltage threshold, capacity and charge time. The " charge" and "- discharge" keys are used to raise and lower the values of the settings, to accept when the voltage display is selected for Output A and to select the charge or discharge mode. The last key is labeled "Start/Stop," which needs no explanation.

TESTING

I first used the 969 with AC power to charge a 3000mAh stick pack. Although the 969 is easily set for 6 cells, I decided to let the 969 choose the voltage threshold, and it went with 5mV per cell. That's the lowest (and safest) setting, which is good; it's better to be conservative!

I set the amp rate to the 4.5A maximum and let the charger cook. When the 969'$ display read "Stop" (to indicate that the pack was fully charged), I cycled through the screens to see the charge specs. After charging for 40 minutes, the pack had received 3,080 milliamps, and it was just slightly warm, which suggested that MRC's cool-charging features really work.

To test the simultaneous-charging function, I programmed "Output A" to recharge the 3000mAh stick pack while "Output B" was programmed to charge an iioomAh 5-cell receiver pack. The 969 finished charging the receiver pack first, then continued with the stick pack. Both charged completely.

I next tested the 969'5 built-in discharger. Its 3A max setting isn't ideal for dumping fully charged packs (it's best for the packs to be dumped at amp rates that are close to what they'll see in action - usually 20 to 30 amps), but this rate is good for draining off the last bit of charge after a run. I wanted to give the 969 a workout, so I dumped a full pack. Thanks to its internal cooling fan, the 969 barely warmed as it drained the pack.

Follow-up tests with packs of various capacities and cell counts showed similar results, but fully depleted NiMH cells that had been sitting for quite a while required a few restarts before they would take a full charge (as is common with other chargers). If that bugs you, you can bump up the voltage-threshold setting, but be warned: you could overcharge your pack. I'd rather use a lower (safe) setting and hit the start button an extra time or two.

THEVERDICT

The MRC Super Brain 969 is a very smart buy for anyone who needs pro-level features but can't afford a pro-level price (or just doesn't want to pay a pro-level price). Sure, it would be nice if the maximum charge and discharge rates were higher, but the 4.5A maximum charge rate is what most battery guys recommend. The 3A discharge is fine for pulling down the last volts from your packs, if not dumping them when fully charged. But in the light of its insanely low price (around $100), any such gripes vanish. I can't imagine any way to get more for your charging dollar tharvwhat you get with the MRC Super Brain 969.