Product Description

Firestorm, 9.6V - 18.0V, Fast Charger, Charges All Firestorm & Black & Decker Spring Loaded Style Batteries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #103 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Black & Decker
• Model: FSMVC
• Dimensions: .77 pounds

Features

• Charges 9.6, 12.0, 14.4, and 18-volt NiCad battery packs
• Charges batteries in under 90 minutes
• Rough and tough plastic construction
• Weighs 14.7 ounces
• Includes a 2-year warranty

Amazon.com
The convenience of using cordless tools can be compromised if you’re always standing around waiting for the batteries to recharge. To get you up and running quicker, with less down time, Black & Decker has developed the FSMVC 9.6-Volt to 18-Volt Fast Charger. This cleverly designed plug-in charger accepts a wide range of nicad batteries, including 9.6, 12, 14.4, and 18-volt packs. And it will recharge a battery in less than 90 minutes, as compared to the average three-hour recharge time of the chargers that came with the tools. The FSMVC 9.6-Volt to 18-Volt Fast Charger accepts all Black & Decker and Firestorm spring-loaded (slide-in) type batteries. --Joseph Truini

What’s in the Box: Black & Decker 9.6-Volt to 18-Volt Fast Charger

Amazon.com Product Description
Able to charge a variety of NiCad batteries--9.6-, 12.0-, 14.4-, and 18-volt packs--the efficient FSMVC from Black & Decker works fast. Compatible with every FireStorm tool on the market, as well as all Black & Decker spring loaded style batteries, this charger features a durable plastic body to guard against wear and tear and an effective computerized system that charges batteries in under 90 minutes--just insert the battery and plug in the charger. For added peace of mind, the FSMVC comes with a 2-year warranty.

From the Manufacturer
Charges all Firestorm and Black and Decker Spring-loaded style batteries 9.6V through 18V. 90 Minute Charger.

Customer Reviews

Charge time depends on the (18v) battery
B&D Fast Chargers are great. But to avoid disappointment as expressed by some of the reviewers, it's important to note the following:

B&D 18v batteries come in (at least) 3 varieties: 1.2, 1.5, and 2.1 ampere/hours. The 1.2 comes with most tools and has 2 terminals. The 1.5 (comes with some kits) and 2.1 "Silver Extreme" (sold as a "high performance" accessory) have 3 terminals - the third terminal apparently detects over charging.

B&D chargers also come in (at least) 3 varieties:
1) "Dumb" chargers that supply a constant charge current/voltage, i.e., like the charger that comes with most B&D products that has the brick that plugs in the wall and a small piece that slips onto the battery; these have 2 terminals.
2) "Semi-intelligent" 2 stage chargers that supply a constant charge current/voltage for charging, but then drop to a "maintenance charge state". These also have 2 terminals.
3) "Intelligent" fast chargers that charge at a faster rate, can sense overcharging and modify charge current accordingly, and then drop to a "maintenance charge state" once the battery is charged. These chargers have 3 terminals.

The (dumb) charger that comes with most B&D products that has the brick that plugs in the wall and a small piece that slips onto the battery does charge ALL the 18v batteries in about 6 hours - BUT - the manual warns not to leave the battery on the charger or battery life will be diminished (no "maintenance charge state", just constant contiuous current).

Semi-intelligent chargers charge at twice the rate as the "dumb chargers", thereby charging ALL 18v batteries in about 3 hours. These are chargers that come with the 3 piece garden set, dual chargers that come with some combo kits, etc. You can leave the batteries on these chargers "indefinitly" according to B&D.

The "intelligent" fast chargers (single & dual) will charge the 2 terminal 1.2 A/H battery in about 3 hours (same as the semi-intelligent chargers) BUT will charge the 1.5 & 2.1 ampere/hour batteries (with 3 terminals) in about 90 minutes. And, you can also leave the batteries on the fast chargers "indefinitly" according to B&D.

Hope this helps
Rod

Not Very Speedy on the large 18 Volt batteries.
I have several B&D outdoor 18-volt products and the batteries wear out pretty fast. I wanted a charger that would charge one battery as I work with the others. The charge light blinks when it is charging and is steady when the battery if fully charged. The product description states "less than 90 minutes" for a complete charge.

I have charged about a dozen 18V batteries with this charger. The average time from when the battery is first inserted until the blinking charge light goes steady indicating a full charge IS ABOUT 3 HOURS 15 MINUTES.

Since this charger is made for 9.6 volt to 18 volt, I believe the "LESS THAN 90 MINUTES" is referring to the 9.6 volt batteries. The 18 volt batteries take more than twice that long.

The stock black charger than came with the products takes about 6 hours to charge an 18 volt battery, so this charge IS faster -- about twice as fast. But the "less than 90 minutes" statement does not apply to the large 18 volt batteries -- just so you're aware.

Whether it's worth $25 to charge a battery in 3 hours instead of 6, you'll have to decide. For me, I was a little disappointed that the charging takes more than twice as long as what was advertised.

A much needed addition to my Black & Decker yard tool set
I have a set of 18-volt Black & Decker yard tools (hedge trimmer, line trimmer, and blower) that came with a regular slow charger. By the time I get about 2/3 done with any yard work, all 3 of my batteries are empty. I work through one battery at a time and drop it on the charger as I grab the next one. But the regular charger just can't do it fast enough. So I was thrilled to find the Black and Decker fast charger. It works great! Now when my battery runs out while I'm doing yard work, I stick it on the fast charger and by the time the third one is emptied, the first one is charged again. Hooray!