GP Recyko+ Pro U411





GP has a line of both chargers and batteries, this charger includes a set of NiMH batteries and as can be seen on the label GP means the charger is free. This is reflected in the naming of the pack: it is only named for the batteries.
The charger can charge two or four AA/AAA batteries at a time and is usb powered.



I got the charger in a partial clear plastic pack.



The pack contains the charger, a usb cable, 4 2000mAh pre-charged NiMH AA batteries and a instruction sheet. The batteries will be covered in their own review.



The charger has a micro usb connector for power input.



There are two led indicator lamps, flashing when charging and steady when not.



The charger is rated for 1A input, this is a bit high for a total charge current of 0.6A. Notice the hole in the bottom, this makes it easy to remove the batteries.



The charger has the typical two level slots used for AA/AAA batteres.








Measurements

• Slot #1 & #2 is in series.
• Slot #3 & #4 is in series.
• Power consumption when idle is 1.3mA from usb
• When not powered it will not discharge batteries.
• Trickle charger on NiMH is about 50mA
• Will charge from 0 volt with nearly 1A.
• Charge will restart charging after power loss, or battery insertion.

The charger will charge for nearly 8 hours and then switch to 50mA tricke charge, charge current will vary with battery voltage.




The two other slots looks the same.



When using high capacity batteries the fixed charge time is not enough to fill the batteries.



This charger do not care about the condition of the batteries, they call get the same charge.



These batteries have to much capacity to be filled.



An AAA cell has less capacity, the charger handles that by lower charge current and using the same charge time.
These batteries are just about filled.



Putting full batteries in the charger is a bad idea, they get another full charge.



2 or 4 batteries do not matter for charge speed or algorithm.



Power consumption is about 0.7A, not the rated 1A, but this will depend on battery voltage.



M1: 37,4°C, M2: 37,6°C, M3: 37,4°C, M4: 37,1°C, HS1: 43,2°C



M1: 46,4°C, M2: 49,6°C, M3: 49,7°C, M4: 46,2°C, HS1: 52,3°C
When batteries are full the temperature will raise and stay that way for some time while waiting for the timer termination.



The charger is fairly fast to start. The there is only one charge circuit it will time share between the two sets (1+2 and 3+4).


Conclusion

This is a very simple charger with timer based control, it works fine for empty 2000mAh AA cells or empty 900mA AAA cells, but not for anything else.

I will call the charger usable.


Notes

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