Powerex MH-C9000PRO Professional Charger-Analyzer

Powerex MH-C9000PRO Professional Charger-Analyzer

The MH-C9000PRO is a four-bay, independent charger-analyzer for AA/AAA NiMH and NiCd batteries. It provides adjustable charge and discharge settings plus analysis modes to measure capacity, balance cells, and improve reliability of your battery sets.

When to choose it

• You manage matched sets for flashes, audio gear, game controllers, or RC transmitters and want consistent performance.
• You need to measure true capacity (mAh) and retire weak cells before they cause issues.
• You want maintenance tools (Refresh & Analyze, Break-In) to restore or normalize aging cells.
• Avoid if you want a simple plug-and-charge device or if you need support for lithium-ion (14500/10440) cells.

Key modes and how to use them

Charge

Standard charging with user-set current. As a rule of thumb, set current to about 0.3–0.5C (30–50% of capacity). Examples:

• AA 2000 mAh: 700–1000 mA for everyday charging.
• AAA 800 mAh: 300–400 mA to control heat and extend life.

Estimate time to full: hours ≈ (capacity ÷ current) × 1.2. Example: 2000 mAh at 1000 mA ≈ 2.4 hours.

Discharge

Removes stored energy for analysis, storage preparation, or to condition cells before a fresh charge. Use a moderate rate (about 0.2–0.5C). The charger records discharged mAh so you can compare cells.

Refresh & Analyze

Automatically cycles charge/discharge to balance cells and measure usable capacity. Useful for packs that feel weak or inconsistent. Expect longer runtimes (often 8–20+ hours depending on capacity and chosen currents).

Break-In (Forming)

Low-stress conditioning typically used for new or long-stored cells. It follows a conservative sequence around 0.1C that can take a full day or more. Use when first labeling a new set or trying to rehabilitate uneven cells.

What the display tells you

Each slot shows real-time data such as capacity (mAh) charged or discharged, voltage, elapsed time, and selected current. Use these readings to:

• Identify weak cells (e.g., one AA measuring 1500 mAh while its mates measure ~2000 mAh).
• Group cells by similar measured capacity for devices that draw power in pairs or sets.
• Adjust charge current if cells get too warm.

Quick start

1. Insert 1–4 NiMH/NiCd AA or AAA cells (any mix of sizes is fine; each slot is independent).
2. Select a mode (Charge, Discharge, Refresh & Analyze, or Break-In).
3. Set current. For AA, start ~700–1000 mA; for AAA, ~300–400 mA. Reduce current if cells heat up.
4. Start the program and monitor the display. Remove cells when the program completes.

Charging time examples

Times vary with cell age, temperature, and end-of-charge behavior.

Compatibility notes

• Supported: NiMH and NiCd in AA and AAA sizes.
• Not supported: Lithium-ion (14500/10440), alkaline, lithium primary, LiFePO4.
• Charge cells individually; for use in devices, group cells by similar measured capacity.
• Mixing AA and AAA in the charger is fine, but do not mix different capacities or chemistries together in the same device.

Care and safety

• Place on a hard, ventilated surface. Expect cells to warm; stop if they become hot to the touch.
• Do not charge damaged, leaking, or unknown-chemistry cells.
• Use moderate currents for longevity; higher currents charge faster but increase heat and wear.
• Label and keep sets together after measuring capacity to maintain balanced performance.

Alternatives

• Prefer simplicity? Choose a basic smart charger with fixed current and automatic termination.
• Need to process many cells at once? Consider an 8+ bay charger-analyzer to increase throughput.

FAQ

• Can it charge lithium-ion 14500 or 10440 cells? No. It is for NiMH/NiCd AA/AAA only.
• What current should I use for Eneloop-style 2000 mAh AAs? 700–1000 mA is a good balance of speed and heat. Reduce current if cells get hot.
• Do I have to fill all four slots? No. Each slot is independent; you can run different modes and currents per slot.
• How do I spot a weak cell? Compare measured capacity from Refresh & Analyze or Discharge. If one cell is consistently 15–20% lower than the rest, retire or use it in low-drain devices.
• When should I run Break-In? For new cells, long-stored cells, or when a set shows uneven performance. Expect a long cycle (often 24+ hours).

Bottom line

If you want precise control and clear diagnostics for AA/AAA NiMH or NiCd batteries, the MH-C9000PRO delivers the tools to charge safely, measure accurately, and maintain well-matched sets.