Megger 1552 instructions say "Rechargeable batteries must not be used"?

[DomB]

Hi, does anyone know why Megger insist on no rechargeable batteries in their MFT 1552? It explicitly mentions it in the instructions there..

Cheers

 

[malcolmsanford]

IMO it is mostly due to the fact they may regard that the batteries would not be charged fully, and therefore give you a false reading. Though I beleieve Megger are now selling rechargable units for their meters,

 

[Spudnik]

Malc beat me to it, but they are offering free rechargeable batts and charger with the Meggers on a couple of inline stores.

 

[telectrix]

i use rechargeables in mine no probs. only thing with them is they die suddenly, not slow drop off of volts like alkies. as long as you got spares, in case they die in middle of testing, OK

 

[jeremy]

Rechargeable batteries only charge to 1.2V, not the 1.5 that your Duracell will come with

 

[antimatter]

Rechargeable batteries only charge to 1.2V, not the 1.5 that your Duracell will come with

1.6v they are if you test 'em Mr Jeremy

So you get a bit of life out of them, if they were 1.5 you would only get a bit of life out of them.

 

[jeremy]

I could do with a bit of life out of something....

 

[Amp David]

i use rechargeables in mine no probs. only thing with them is they die suddenly, not slow drop off of volts like alkies. as long as you got spares, in case they die in middle of testing, OK

Which rechargable are you using tele?

At the minute its only cost £1.60 per battery refill on my Megger which can be added to every job anyway.

 

[telectrix]

maplin's 2600mAH

 

[Kilowatt]

I have spoken to the engineers at Megger and the reason for saying you should not use rechargeables is nothing to do with instrument accuracy - they make no difference to the instrument readings. The reason is a "backside covering exercise" on the basis that rechargeables can put out a huge current compared to alkalines if they are shorted out so if something went wrong in the MFT that shorted the batteries it could melt some stuff inside and kill the product.

I mentioned that I put rechargeables in everything from my TV remote to electric toothbrush without any worries and they said that it was up to me what I put rechargeables in, but due to the high short circuit current and the risks that involved they would not recommend their use.

 

[telectrix]

so why are megger's own rechargeables safe then? is it a pack with a fuse incorporated? i thought that the instrument had a built in battery fuse

 

[DomB]

aye, and I've not noticed anything else, toys etc, say you can't use rechargeables. I guess there's a higher chance of a short on a tester?!

 

[Amp David]

so why are megger's own rechargeables safe then? is it a pack with a fuse incorporated? i thought that the instrument had a built in battery fuse

One online wholesaler is selling it with a pack and charger from a radio controlled car. A trickle charger thats take 12 hours and they also state theres no cut out when the batt pack is charged.

Think i'll stick with standard AA rechargable or not for the time being

 

[Amp David]

Have a look at picture 2, thats well cheap

Megger MFT1553 Multifunction Tester with 3 year warranty + FREE Rechargable Battery Pack. Buy online or call