MRC Super Brain 977 or spend the extra on ICE

[renown]

Well i really do not want to spend like 200$ on the ICE and a PS so i can spend more of my budget on my truck but if i have to i will. I really don't care for all of ICE's extra features im just a basher, im just concerned about false peaking and reliability with the Super Brain 977.

I know the 969 had some issues with false peaking and what not but was this problem actually fixed on the 977 or was it a failed attempt? I do not want to spend 100$ on this charger if its not 100% reliable, i do not want to have to restart my charger every 15 mins or whatever the deal is with this charger.

Also will the 977 with its new 10amp power supply beable to handle charging 2 GP3300s at once? Will this thing get to hot after charging multiple GP3300s back to back? I heard it also gets pretty hot after charging back to back, I know Pede said it would but i want to get some second opinions. Also does the 977 come with two battery connecters so i can charge 2 batteries or do i have to buy another battery connecter for the second power supply.

[TBone77]

Well, if you're on a budget the MRC probably isn't a bad way to go.

BUT, I have an ICE and I LOVE it. If you were racing, I'd definitely tell you to go with the ICE.

[117]

get a Duratrax Piranha charger,

I have one and works perfect, no false peaking, no getting hot. And it costs around 45bucks.

117

[renown]

Hmm maybe i should just pick up 2 DuraTrax Piranha AC/DC Digital Peak chargers and a 14amp power supply from Radio Shack.

The ICE only has more features than this charger right? It doesnt charge the batteries more efficiently or charge them better and give them longer runtime or help preserve the batteries life span or anything does it?

Tell me what does the ICE have for 120$ that would be usefull to me as a basher? I just cant verify spending 120$ on some features that arent usefull to me.

[Duster_360]

I'm a basher too, but some months I don't get to run at all due to work schedule and I use my ICE to keep my batts in tip top shape by cycling them thru 2 or 3 discharge/charge cycles. After sitting nearly a month, they'll pick up to their normal charge capacity and output after 2 or 3 cycles. So convienent to do witht the ICE. I also use it on my 12v gel cell - discharge it at 10a for 30min once a month (unless I've used it) just so it sees some activity. I've also saved some 7.2v stick pacs that apparently had a couple of cells get nearly reversed by dropping the discharge voltage until the subsequent charge capacity picked back up.

I've got a Piranha digital also, but found on 120v, I was getting some false peaks pretty regularly charging at 3.5a. I bought a 12a PS and the false peaking disappeard. I caught a good sale at Tower when the ICE 1st came out, but I would've bought one eventually anyway.

[117]

I'm a basher too, but some months I don't get to run at all due to work schedule and I use my ICE to keep my batts in tip top shape by cycling them thru 2 or 3 discharge/charge cycles. After sitting nearly a month, they'll pick up to their normal charge capacity and output after 2 or 3 cycles. So convienent to do witht the ICE. I also use it on my 12v gel cell - discharge it at 10a for 30min once a month (unless I've used it) just so it sees some activity. I've also saved some 7.2v stick pacs that apparently had a couple of cells get nearly reversed by dropping the discharge voltage until the subsequent charge capacity picked back up.

I've got a Piranha digital also, but found on 120v, I was getting some false peaks pretty regularly charging at 3.5a. I bought a 12a PS and the false peaking disappeard. I caught a good sale at Tower when the ICE 1st came out, but I would've bought one eventually anyway.

Sorry, but I think it´s impossible to charge at 3.5 amps from 120V, because Piranha charger can only charge above 3A when you use a 12V or a power supply... Read your manual and you can found here; and well, I tested myself and also you can´t do that.

For the false peaking, I´ve been luckier, I have no problems with false peaking. I use GP 3300, Peak 3000, Epic 3000 batts and no problem.

[Duster_360]

OK, my bad, it false peaked on me at 3.0a, whatever. The point is, mine still false peaked on me at the highest charge rate available using 120v and did so consistently. I'm not saying that yours is going to false peak either. Mine did, I've talked with others who've had same prob. We are guessing its due to age and use, but that's a guess on our part.

I use the ICE now. My Piranha is in a box to give to my nephew at Thansgiving when we visit.

Thanks for the your link.