Test/Review of Charger Panasonic BQ-CC14

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

Charger Panasonic BQ-CC14





Panasonic has a line of NiMH chargers, some are fast and smart, others dump. This one here is a two channel usb powered smart charger.



I got the charger in a blister pack. In addition to the charger there was some Panasonic Evolta cells, I have moved them to my review queue. I bought the charger on Ebay and did also get a usb power supply, but it did not work.



The Panasonic contents was: The charger, 2 Evolta cells and a instruction sheet in many languages.



The usb plug is folded around the charger and is easy to take out.



The charger has one hidden led to show charge status. It is flashing when charging and steady lit when done.



The charger has a tiltable spacer that can change the length of the slots between AA and AAA.
This design means the charger can either charge AA or AAA, not both AA and AAA at the same time.



There are some springs in the other end of the slots.









Measurements charger

  • Blue led is flashing when charging, the led is common for both slots.
  • Led will be steady lit when both channels are finished
  • It will start charging from 0 volt.
  • When charge is finished the charger will charge with less than 0.2mA.
  • Charger will not restart if voltage drops.
  • Charge will restart charging after power loss, or battery insertion.
  • Low current draw (<0.05mA) from batteries when not powered






The charger uses -dv/dt termination on this cell and it stops very fast after the cell is full, there is not top-off or trickle charging. This looks very good.



The other channel looks the same.



The XX stops on -dv/dt.



On the Pro it stops "premature", but lookin on the capacity scale it must be just about full.
It also looks like there is the start of a temperature raise.



Again it stops early and again it looks like the battery is full.



This is a nice -dv/dt termination, again done very soon after the voltage peak.



With the full eneloop it takes some time to detect it.



With 2 cells in the charger the current is reduced, to keep the usb power below 500mA.



Same curve as above, but with input current removed. This makes it possible to see the 400mA average charge current.



M1: 31,7°C, M2: 32,0°C, M3: 37,4°C, HS1: 43,5°C
The charger uses a fairly low charge current, this keeps the battery temperature low.



The charger needs about 3 seconds to start.



The charger is using pulsing current. The current in the pulses is about 0.9A.



With two batteies it uses same current, but only half the time for each battery.




Conclusion

The charger is very good at stopping exactly when the batteries are full. It does also stay within usb specifications (i.e. 0.5A current), this makes the charge current a bit slow with two batteries. The batteries are fairly cool during charge.

This is a very good NiMH charger.



Notes

Here is an explanation on how I did the above charge curves: How do I test a charger

2

Thanks!! Never used it, but it looks like a nice little charger!

3

Thanks. Looks like I found myself a perfect NiMH travel charger.:slight_smile:

4

Thank HKJ. Wish this charger was easier to find for sale. None on ebay at the moment.

5

Halo,

This charger is hard to find because it is a previous generation model with previous generation Evolta batteries. If you are interested in the current models, look at this PDF directly from the manufacturer Current Panasonic Chargers and Battteries

I have just bought both BQ-CC21 in a set with 4 standard Eneloops (paid about $30 shipped ) and BQCC-23 in a set with 2 standard Eneloops (paid about $20 shipped), one of which will be used as a gift.

You can buy a charger separately but, in most cases, you would get a better deal by purchasing it with batteries in a set. Just look at prices on eBay. There are several Japan-based sellers who offer chargers and batteries by themselves or in sets.
If want to purchase a current model of chargers with batteries included, you may want to look at this thread Charger+Batteries Sets

If you still want BQ-CC14 reviewed here, you can order it from Hong Kong on eBay: Genuine Panasonic AA AAA Quick Rapid Fast Charger Kit BQ-CC14 with 2 x Batteries

I am confident you would be pleased with whatever model you want to order. Good luck.

P.S. If you cannot find a charger, batteries, etc. on eBay, check completed listings for that item, then select a seller (with the highest feedback score+longest eBay membership+largest number of items for sale) who sold this item in the past and message them that you want that item. Chances are good they seller will put that item for sale again. I have used this method many a time.

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The chargers you mentioned are plug-in chargers so they’re not relevant for those who are looking for USB chargers, which is what the thread is about.

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Thank you for your comment, SIGShooter, but my reply focused on helping Halo find the charger he wants/would like to own, and not on USB-specific chargers in general. I believe my reply accomplished the purpose because it provides Halo with a specific eBay link to purchase the charger Halo expressed interest in and also suggests some other options to consider.

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Link given shows the item out of stock since Oct 2014.

9

Read just now that it can charge individually…nice!