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| Reviews Summary for A & A Engineering 1 Amp Smart Battery Charger |
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Reviews: 16
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $59.95
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Description: The "SMART BATTERY CHARGER" is for LEAD ACID or GEL-CELL batteries. Utilizing the Unitrod UC3906 chip, it has three distinct operating states. Initially it controls the charging current to a pre-set "bulk" value and when this bulk current tapers down to a specific level it then tops off the battery with an elevated "full charge" voltage. After top off, it enters maintenance mode where it dutifully maintains the battery at a precision float level value.
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More info: http://www.a-aengineering.com/
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write your own review of the A & A Engineering 1 Amp Smart Battery Charger.
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AC0DS
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2008 08:36
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Happy Batteries and Happy Owner
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I built the kit version with the switched QRP option and PowerPole output cable. Fun and easy kit to assemble, with very nice looking case. And it works like a champ, with a 3 stage charge that makes for happy and long lasting batteries.
Of course I couldn't be satisfied with the perfectly performing unit and made three modifications that optimized it for my situation and increased my satisfaction level.
First, I used a SPDT center off toggle switch (Mouser PN 1055-TA2135-EVX) rather than the supplied SPST switch. This allowed me to have three selectable levels of charge current rather than two. I have it set up for 0.25A, 0.5A and 1A, since I use SLA batteries from 1.4 AH to 7 AH capacity. All the resistors you will need come with the kit.
Secondly I modified the LED charge indicator arrangement. I used the red LED for the bulk charge, and installed an amber LED (Mouser PN 696-SSL-LX5093AD) for the second stage charge. The unit as designed indicates that the battery is in the final maintenance mode by turning off both of these LEDs. I chose to use the green LED to indicate this maintenance mode. This can be done with only one additional diode(1N4148), a resistor already in the kit, and drilling one additional hole in the case. Now the presence of a green light indicates that the battery is ready to go.
Thirdly, I added a resistor isolated BNC connector on the rear panel for convenient attachment of a DVM for charge voltage monitoring. I know its nerdy, but I enjoy watching the charge process (no, I don't enjoy watching paint dry or grass grow).
Overall a great value and great addition to your shack if you use a wide range of SLA battery sizes.
... Craig AC0DS
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VE2WMA
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 17, 2008 12:12
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It keeps going and going........
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The A&A Engineering Smart battery Charger is truly an Energizer Bunny.
My A&A Smart Battery Charger (SBC) has now been in continuous service for over 16 years. No on/off switch required because it virtually has and remains on all the time. There has absolutely never been a problem with my SBC, ever. For five years my SBC kept the lead acid batteries topped up in my San Juan 24 sail boat. The next five years the charger spent inside the motor compartment of my car during the extremely severe winters near the Yukon border to keep some modicum of battery efficiency so the car would start. In the off season, the SBC kept my car 14 Amp/hr SLA booster battery topped up, which it is still doing, six years later, non-stop, 24/7/365. While on standby duty, my SLA booster battery/A&A Smart Charger combination powers my K2 HFand 2 metre VHF Ham Radio rigs along with some supporting 12 volt accessories.
My SLA booster/Ham battery is always constantly and reliably charged, topped up and maintained while connected to my A&A Smart Battery Charger. AND, like the energizer bunny; “it just keeps going and going”…... How true.
I highly recommend this product.
Bill Moore, VE2WMA
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VK3DAP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 31, 2008 20:32
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Great product, good docs, fair price
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the QRP selectable output kit to charge an SLA so that I can operate my Elecraft K2 portable.
The kit contained everything that I needed (with the exceptions noted later), the docs were clear and well written, although it pays to read them through carefully several times before starting assembly as there are possible options you need to get your head around.
In operation it works well, providing a clear visual indication of where it is in the charge cycle.
I live in Australia with a 230 to 240 volt 50 Hz nominal mains supply. We use the MEN system, consequently it is advisable for downunder users to ensure that the case of this device is connected to mains earth. Consequently I substituted a locally supplied 3 core mains cable with an Austalian/NZ 3 pin plug for the two core mains cable supplied. I also had to ream out the hole for the mains cable and insert a grommet as the supplied cable anchor was not big enough for the mains cable I used. Further, I used a nylon 'p clamp' fastened to one of the ventilation holes in the bottom of the case to anchor the mains cable.
For safety sake, I would strongly urge downunder builders to do the same.
73
Kevin
VK3DAP
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W2DAP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2007 14:14
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A FB product well designed and with excellent documentation
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using mine for more than 5 years on an SLA 42ah battery which I not only use as a backup but also for receive-only with my IC 746. I am so pleased with the product, I ordered an additional one which has been in service for several months; I use the original to charge other batteries elsewhere in my home. My only suggestion would be to supply the unit with larger alligator clips.
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W4FRA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2007 13:07
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Outstanding Service
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After 4 years of running 24/7, the fan in My 5 Amp charger got noisy...Called A&A to order a replacement and they are sending one FREE. If only everyone was as nice to deal with. Highly recommend their chargers, not only are they great folks to deal with, the products work like they are supposed to. -- Les, W4FRA
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W3BNY
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 15, 2006 12:01
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Great unit!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Did the same thing as the OM before me.. OOPS!
But other than that, it charges everything up and can be used as an impromptu solar controller as well if you hook up the alternate input. That and you can change the charge rate from 1A to 1/2 amp at will with the addition of one simple R.S. switch.
Good kit. Getting another one!
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W5EZY
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 8, 2005 07:36
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Great little charger
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After finishing this kit, it didn't work. Re-tracing my assembly steps, I found that I had failed to install 2 jumpers on the board... my bad. I corrected this and it works great. I only gave it a 4 so others would read this review. A word of forewarning: although this is a good quality kit, the instructions are a bit lacking. If you are experienced at kitting, you'll be o.k., but if this is your 1st or 2nd, it can be a bit confusing as the instructions are not step-by-step. Read carefully and pay attention and you'll be o.k. But it really is an excellent product.
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K6SDW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 19, 2005 10:06
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In-service many years...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Been using this charger for many years (thinking maybe 8 - 10 years) to keep 80-amphour gell cell going as backup power in shack and unit has never failed to work as descibed!
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KA4TWK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 19, 2005 09:42
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This is a very rugged kit….
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I constructed the 1 amp Smart Battery charger kit from A&A Engineering as a 1/2 amp charger. I tested the completed project by charging a 7 amp hour battery. The magic smoke flowed out the side vents of the case. I immediately realized that I had wired the kit up incorrectly and cut the power off. I opened the case and cut the charger back on and the smoke was coming from the R5 resister.
My kit contained a spare R5 resister and I replaced it after realizing that I had wired the transformer secondary in the spot where the Q1 voltage regulator should have been. I corrected my mistake in wiring and replaced the R5 resistor that was all that was needed. The unit has worked flawlessly since.
This is very rugged unit and I would recommend it to any one, even a novice kit builder as myself. I hope that you find my review useful. Please don’t make my mistake and wire those two components backwards.
Bill ka4twk
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NM6E
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 10, 2005 22:11
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Works Great!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Having purchased an Elecraft K2 QRP radio with the internal battery option, I wasn't sure how I was going to charge the thing.
After talking to Don, W3FPR (see his web site), he explained a "neat" way of charging the internal battery of the K2 that could also provide some of the current to power the radio when the battery was being charged.
Since I travel "extensively" to Latin America for work, I would be needing to charge my K2's battery not only off of 110VAC but off of 220VAC.
I called A&A Engineering and ordered the QRP Special Battery Charger (A Modified Smart Charger) that had a switchable input for either 110VAC or 220VAC and a switchable 1/4 Amp or 1 Amp output to charge the battery/provide current to my K2 QRP radio.
I have used the Smart Charger at home, while portable in the USA at weekend retreats, in Mexico and in Chile (220Vac) and it has worked flawlessly with the K2 internal battery combo.
It is really light weight and charges appropriately the internal 2.9Ah gel cell. I also use it to keep a spare 12Vdc, 7Ah battery to supplement the original K2 battery when no AC is around to charge the batteries.
During extended TX, I toggle to the 1 Amp setting to supply the extra current to the K2 so as to not drain all of the internal battery. During normal RX mode, I leave the 1/4 amp setting. On receive, my K2 draws about 280mA, just about the trickl charge that Smart Charger gives out and on Max transmit, the K2 is anywhere from 2.3A to 3.3A, so it pulls the current from the battery as well as the Smart Charger.
In my case the QRP Special Battery Charger came assembled from the nice folks at A&A Engineering and the workmanship is top quality.
I am quite happy with it and would reccomend it to others as well. The setup works quite well.
Javier NM6E
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