Description

Sony BC-L160 (BC-L160) Quad Li-Ion Battery Charger, DC Out 6A. Sony is pleased to introduce the new BC-L160 Lithium Ion Battery Charger. This new portable four (4) position charger is the successor model to the BC-M150, and offers simultaneous four battery charging. The BC-L160 offers several enhancements from the previous model such as high/low (H/L) charge voltage selection, selectable fast/slow, silent (F/S) charge model selection, as well as the ability to selectively skip the trickle charge sequence to prolong battery life. The BC-L160 is also equipped with an LCD display for easy checking of the current charging status, with indicators for Charging Capacity, Charging Cycle Time, Estimated Charging Time, Charge Mode, and Skip Function (trickle charge). A Battery Diagnostic feature is also added with the new BC-L160 (CH1 slot only). Please note: The new BC-L160 is for use with Sony professional V-Mount type lithium-ion batteries only.

Features

Li-ion charger for Sony Professional Batteries
The BC-L160 can be used with the current BP-GL65, BP-GL95, BP-L60S, BP-L80S and the discontinued BP-L40, BP-L40A, BP-L60A, BP-L90A and BP-IL75.

For safety reasons, the BC-L160 must not be used with any other type of battery, including NiMH batteries (BP-M100, BP-M50) or batteries from non-Sony third party companies. Serious damage may be caused if this condition is not met.

4 Channel Operation
The BC-L160 can charge 4 batteries simultaneously, with a maximum charging current of 5A (depending upon battery type).

Choice of charging modes
Charge voltage selection can be made via an H/L switch on the rear panel. The L setting can be used to prolong the battery life, although in this mode maximum capacity will be reduced to 90%

H = 100%, L = 90% (Charging voltage = 16.8V, 16.4V)

Charge speed can be selected using the F/S switch on the rear panel.

F (Fast) mode is the factory setting. Batteries are charged using a charge current of 5A or 3A.

S (Slow and silent) mode can be used to reduce the charge current and therefore the fan noise (all batteries are charged using 3A current in S mode). S mode is useful for quiet locations such as a music studio, or where overnight charging in a hotel room is required. Charge time is increased to around 6 hours. The charger fan works normally when outputting DC power in DC output mode.

A skip switch allows the trickle charge sequence to be skipped when the BC-L160 is charging a battery which is already charged to more than 90%. This feature can help to prolong battery life.

Battery Diagnosis mode
The BC-L160 has a capacity display on the LCD. This makes a calculation using an algorithm that is based upon the number of times a battery is charged. In some cases, the actual capacity may be different to the calculated capacity depending upon the storage condition of the battery, the load current being supplied etc. The BC-L160 can perform a more comprehensive measurement using a full charge and discharge test.

Specifications