chuchichan Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hello, I'm thinking of purchasing an MD player. The model I'm interested in, the Panasonic SJ-MJ15, is meant to be used in Japan and I would like to know if I'd be able to properly charge the battery here (in the US). I know it also comes with a AA attachment, but I'd like to know if I can properly charge the NiMH battery. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. -Stephan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 I would just avoid charging the battery on the unit and charge the gumstick itself, with an independant charger. It's better in the long run. Try looking on eBay, they're quite easy to find there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDX-400 Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 As mentioned above it is probably better to use an external charger... However, does the MJ15 already use an external charger or does it charge the battery inside the unit? Is the rating on the AC adapter (or external charger) for 100V AC input? If so you can still charge the battery in there but I'd highly recommend a 120V to 100V step-down converter which can be purchased online for around $30 or so. If you continue to charge a battery using a 100V input AC adapter or charger you may shorten the life of the battery due to overvoltage or overcurrent during charging. Also it may not be good for the unit either (if we're talking about an AC adapter). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuchichan Posted April 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 Thank you for the feedback. I'm starting to understand, but am still a little bit confused. So, there are two ways to charge the battery (either by plugging an A/C adapter into the unit, or to plug a battery into a charger that plugs into the wall)? There are battery chargers specifically for the NiMH MD battery that are made for the US current? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDX-400 Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Thank you for the feedback. I'm starting to understand, but am still a little bit confused. So, there are two ways to charge the battery (either by plugging an A/C adapter into the unit, or to plug a battery into a charger that plugs into the wall)? Well yes and no. There are two ways to charge a battery but that doesn't mean those two ways are available with every unit. Any given unit will EITHER allow for charging INSIDE the unit (i.e. while the battery is installed) and connected to AC, OR it will come with a separate charger to put the battery in and plug into the wall. Players usually fall into the second category, though not always; on the other hand recorders are almost always in the former category. Regardless, however, you can charge a gumstick in any unit that has gumstick recharging capability; you can also charge any gumstick in any plug-in gumstick charger. There are battery chargers specifically for the NiMH MD battery that are made for the US current?Voltage is more what we are looking at but yes. There are chargers meant for NA (North American) voltage of 110-120V. The BC-9HU2 is one of these. However unless you have a Sony player that came with it, it won't be easy to get. On the other hand there is the slower, but universal voltage (can be used in virtually any country), BC-7HT charger. This one is available but isn't that cheap really. If your unit charges in-unit then the AC adapter is of importance--it will likely say 100V AC input. If your unit uses an external charger that plugs into the wall then look at that charger, on the back it will likely say 100V AC. In either case you can buy a 120V-to-100V step-down as I mentioned. Plug that in the wall and then plug the AC adapter (or external charger) that came with the MJ15 into the step-down converter and off you go. Actually if its 100V AC input you *can* just plug it in but note the warnings in my post above may be the consequences. It works in most cases but will likely shorten the useful life of the battery (# of charge cycles). Hope that clears it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuchichan Posted April 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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