969 power supply D.O.A.

[wannabeoffroad]

I just opened the box of my new MRC Super Brain 969 charger and the DC power supply don't work. Hook it up to my car battery, and it does fine, so I know the charger itself is okay. My voltmeter confirms power from the wall to the box, but it's dead comming out. I got no answer from MRC's ph#, so I'll call monday. I'll definately have them repair or replace it. I'm just wondering if anybody else has had this problem??

[SS Pede]

No, haven't had that problem. Mine works great so far. Sorry this isn't a very useful post, but you asked! Keep us informed. Since I own the charger, any additional info is helpful.

[RH Customs]

I have had several friends who have had the charger and hated it. For them it would constantly false peak and then finally the power supply also went out. I use a Competition Electronics Pit Bull X3 and it works flawlwssly with my Integy Power Supply.

[franknitty69]

wow. i feel bad. i just bought this charger after reading a review in rc car action. i bought it because it has dual outputs and the price per feature outweighed all the others that i was looking at. it works fine so far for my trans, glow plug ignighter, and rx pack. i race nitro so i guess it's fine for my batts, but when i go electric i think a more beefier charger like the futaba cdr-5000 is in order.

but from what i've read on these forums it either works or it doesn't. everybody i talk to says this charger is crap. it's my 1st charger so i don't know any better. hopefully this was a good purchase.

p.s. i've had great success w/mrc's support via email. they respond the same day. i was missing a bananna plug for output a and i received it in the mail w/in two days.

[evoiiim3]

My charger is one month old today.

I was trying to race and the power supply went out on me.

IMHO, it's a great charger for the money, but you really can't charger 2 packs at the same time with the included power supply.

Tomorrow I'll be picking up a Novak power supply and hopefully all will be well.

[baih]

if your looking for a power supply go to competition electronics website. they are selling a 20 amp unit for around $99.99. it looks the same as the samlex 1223 that i have been using for three years. but at least if something happens CE should be able to fix it. they have great customer service. the novak is the same price but half the power. you can also go to ebay and type in Pyramid power supply they also have a unit thats small and 20 amps for around $60.00

[redsixer]

The power supply on my 969 also went out. I have had the charger about 3 months. I had read good reviews and thought I was getting a good charger and power supply for the money. I sent the power supply back to MRC, they had it about 4 weeks, and when I got it back, the power supply works, but it makes a high pitched sound now. In my opinion, these power supplies are not that great. They are not very heavy duty. While I was waiting for it to be repaired, I bought a Pulsar competition charger, along with a Rivergate 30 amp power supply. I think this combo is awesome. With the Rivergate, I can plug in both chargers and it does not even break a sweat.

[RH Customs]

The best deal on a power supply is the 23 amp Competion Electronics power supply and sells for $114 on there site. And a word of advice don't use the Novak power supply they are built well but the little plastic seperator is to small. This can result in arcing and frying the power supply.

[evoiiim3]

The best deal on a power supply is the 23 amp Competion Electronics power supply and sells for $114 on there site. And a word of advice don't use the Novak power supply they are built well but the little plastic seperator is to small. This can result in arcing and frying the power supply.

I just picked up a 25 amp power supply at Radio Shack, $99, it's small, powerful, has a fan, and should totally work for me!

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=22-510

[munim]

I gave my 969 a real work out, dishcharging, charging, dual charging consecutively and it has held up fine. Do note, however, that you should always unplug the power supply when not in use or else it makes a wierd noise (not good, hehe).

[franknitty69]

so far minez has been working very well. i've only used it charge my tx (nicad), rx packs(nicad & nimh), glow plugs (nicad), and starter box. but it charges these just fine.

i'll be running touring electric in the spring so i'll get to give the 969 a real workout. if it doesn't work for that i'll be looking at an lrp, integy, or futaba charger.

this was my 1st charger and i got it dirt cheap off ebay brand new so i'm not complaining.

[wannabeoffroad]

I ended up having to e-mail MRC, and I had a response the next day. They told me to box up the unit and mail it to them. They will either fix it or give me a different one. From the looks of all the varied responses, Maybe I should've gotten something different. Funny thing is, I got the 969 because I was tired of buying "mid-rate" chargers. I wanted to buy one nice ac/dc charger that would do anything, and have it over with. Alas, it's not a good sign when I'm having to send brand new stuff in for repair :(

[minijosh]

I just bought one off of tower. I hope it turns out ok. I have 2 friends and they each have one. One guy has 2 of them and nobody has any problems except one guy left his charger down and his German Shepard liked it alot. Don't think that is under warrenty.

[SteveK]

I'm pretty sure the included power supply was never intended to charge two packs at one time (The 4-4.5 amps will be split between the two packs, charging each pack at only half the normal rate), which is why there is a port to connect a second unit.

I am still leaning towards this charger, if I ever break down and buy a new one.

I always take opinions on these message boards with a grain of salt: I don't know who the person on the other end is, what they were doing with their charger, or in what ways it worked or failed. It is completely worthless to get a response like "ah man, that thing is junk, get XYZ".

The power supply is clearly a cheapy unit, to get you going. If you were to charge quality packs with it, you'd want a better supply unit anyway. I wouldn't dismiss the whole charger because the separate power supply was faulty: Those things happen, and if MRC is willing to replace it (They probably want the whole unit just to be sure), then give the charger a fair shot.

[redsixer]

As in my case, they wont replace it, they repair it. And as I stated earlier, after I got the power supply back it still makes strange sounds. The charger is versatile and cheap, thats why I got it in the first place. A power supply and a charger for 100 bucks. But after racing a while I have stepped up a little. My new Rivergate bulldog 30 amp handles both chargers I have with ease.

[minijosh]

Well I'm using my with no problems right now. I'll post if and when something happens.