Nikon MH-2 Quick Charger and MN-2 NiCd Battery

The Nikon Quick Charger MH-2 is the upgraded model replacing the older, first generation MH-1/MN-1 combinations. It is the exclusive charger for the NiCd Battery Unit MN-2, which is used with the Motor Drive MD-4. With this charger, recharging time for the NiCd battery is approximately 3-1/2 hours. In any literature published by Nikon, there are no notes on the compatibility issues between the older and newer version of the charger on NiCd units, MN-1 and MN-2.

Nikon Quick Charger MH-2

(1) Charging plug
(2) Detachable AC power cord
(3) Male connects for power cord

(4) Green battery charging lamp
(5) Red charge completion lamp
(6) Female end of power cord

Relative: Nikon MD-4 and MD-4H (HS) Motor Drives.

If you have any information or personal experience pertaining to its "mixed-around usage" (I have long lost my MN-1, and I don't intend and cannot get hold of a unit - thus I am not able to tell you here), please mail me OR use the F3's message board to publish them. So, all I can use here is the newer version of MH2/MN2 combination to illustrate.

An AC power cord (for 220 - 240V) is supplied with the Quick Charger. For safety's sake, never use any other cord with the MM-2.

First, turn the Quick Charger upside down and plug the female end of the AC power cord into the 3-pin male connector on the charger. Next, plug the AC cord into a wall receptacle. Then, insert the charging plug of the charger into the charging socket of the NiCd Battery Unit MN-2. Immediately the green charging lamp comes on to indicate that charging has begun. Three and a half hours later, the red charge completion lamp lights up to indicate that charging is completed.

Do not attempt to recharge the NiCd Battery Unit MN-2 at extreme temperatures; recharging should be limited to temperatures between 5° and 40°C.

Attempts to recharge the battery above or below these extremes will only result in the battery's being charged to approximately 60 - 70% capacity. In fact, repeated attempts to recharge the battery at below 5°C may actually shorten the life of the battery. The most effective temperature range for recharging is 15° - 30°C,

Because charging will not stop automatically, you should disconnect the charger from the wall socket as soon as the red light comes on. Slight overcharging will not harm the battery, but avoid recharging it for more than 4 hours after the red light comes on. If the red lamp does not light up after 5 hours of charging, either the AC line voltage is too low or the Quick Charger and/or Battery Unit are not operating properly. Try recharging for an additional 2 hours. If the red light still fails to come on, return the battery and charger to your nearest Nikon service facility for inspection.

When a NiCd battery is not used, it slowly loses its charge. Therefore, as a matter of course, recharge the MN-2 completely once a month. However, after six months of nonuse, the battery will no longer hold a full charge. Even though the red charge completion lamp comes on, the battery has actually only been charged to approx. 50% capacity. If this happens, discharge and recharge the battery three or four times to restore it to full capacity.

If recharging is interrupted before the red charge completion lamp comes on, recharging has to be started all over again; it will then take approximately 3-1/2 hours before the red light comes on.

Dimensions: 78mm (W) x 57mm (H) x 127mm (D)
Weight: Approx. 560g (including the AC cord)

Nikon Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Battery Unit MN-2

(1) Alignment Pin
(2) Battery terminals
(3) Storage compartment spring catch
(4) Motor drive coupling cover storage compartment
(5) Charging socket

Installed in the motor drive's battery chamber in place of the MS-3, the NiCd Battery Unit MN-2 is for exclusive use with the Motor Drive MD-4 as well as on the MD-4H for Nikon F3 High Speed Motor Drive camera). The MN-2 also contains a slot for storing the camera's motor drive coupling cover which must be removed prior to attachment of the motor drive to the camera body.

One advantage of a NiCd battery is its extended cold weather performance. Unlike ordinary batteries which cease to operate in below-freezing temperatures, the NiCd Battery Unit MN-2 allows the Motor Drive MD-4 (MD-4H) to be used effectively down to -20°C. And because the F3 gets all its power motor drive's batteries once the motor is attached, the camera's electromagnetic shutter release and exposure control system still work in these cold temperatures.

With a fully charged battery and the shutter speed set to 1/125 sec. or above, the MD-4's firing rate on "Continuous" is 5.5 frames per second; with the mirror locked in the "up" position, it increases to 6 fps. The battery will deliver these firing rates for approx. 60 rolls of 36-exp. film. In the case of MD-4H with Nikon F3H, a maximum high speed firing rate of 13.5 frames per second is possible.

Notes: When using a new battery or one that has not been used for a month or more, recharge it with the Quick Charger MH-2 before use. When the battery has not been used for more than six months, it becomes difficult to recharge it (reaching only approx. 50% capacity) even though the red charge completion lamp lights up. In this case, three or four cycles of charging/discharging are required to bring the battery back to full capacity. The life of a NiCd battery depends on the conditions under which it is used. The recommended operating temperature range is between -20° and +60°C. Operation above or below these extremes may shorten the life of the battery and/or reduce its capacity to be recharged fully. Recharging of the MN-2 NiCd Battery Unit should be limited to temperatures between 5° and 40°C. Recharging at higher or lower temperatures will result in no more than a 60 - 70% charge. The recommended temperature range for most effective charging is between 15° and 30°C.

When the battery reaches the end of its life, it will no longer successfully hold a full charge despite repeated attempts to recharge it.~When this happens, it's time to replace the MN-2 with a new one.

Recharging: 100 times possible at normal temperatures
Dimensions: 43mm (W) x 37mm (H) x 114mm (D)
Weight: Approx. 250g

Caution: Do not in any way attempt to short circuit the MN-2 by connecting a "+ " terminal (left side with a " - " terminal (right side). If you do. you may damage the battery and reduce its performance.