+- ChitownRC (https://www.chitownrc.com)
+-- Forum: Tech Forums (https://www.chitownrc.com/forum-7.html)
+--- Forum: Electronics / Radio (https://www.chitownrc.com/forum-19.html)
+--- Thread: question (/thread-4721.html)
question - AddictedtoNITRO - 10-02-2006
what is the proper way to cycle a battery? My batts are starting to lose a little runtime and umph. I use nimh's
thanks
jeff
question - firesprink281 - 10-02-2006
no cycler on your charger?
question - Mr. Tune - 10-02-2006
nimh batteries don't have infinite life. They can only be charged so many times before the runtime on them starts to suffer drastically. Also, nimh batteries should never be drained completely. They are a different type of battery then nicads. They don't suffer from memory effect, so cycling won't do you any good.
If the runtime is real bad, you're better off tossing them and getting new ones.
question - AddictedtoNITRO - 10-02-2006
oh I didn't know that. That kinda sucks these batts have about 20-30 charges on them and I'm losing runtime already. Fusion power 3600's and venom 3000 with about 10-15 charges. My charger is a vision peak 2. I usually run them down to about the 25% mark. would it help them if I charged them at 1 amp a couple times? My charger charges at 1,2 or 4 amps.
question - Ponch - 10-02-2006
Yeah if you have a bit of time, charge them on 1 amp. Otherwise 2, I wouldn't go to 4 but that's just me.
That many runs they shouldn't be losing power. You should try to drain the nimh packs though, they'll get a better charge.
question - Mr. Tune - 10-02-2006
What are you charging at right now? Does your charger go into trickle charge mode when the battery is full, or do you have to take it off before it blows up?
If you're charging at 4amps, changing it to 1amp will definetaly help with getting longer runtime.
question - Mr. Tune - 10-02-2006
ponch, draining a nimh battery to 0% is bad for the battery. Never drain a nimh battery.
question - AddictedtoNITRO - 10-02-2006
I usualy charge at 4 and it goes to trickle afterwards. should I not be charging at that high? seems like at 2 amps a 3600 takes like forever to charge lol.
question - Ponch - 10-02-2006
Mr. Tune Wrote:ponch, draining a nimh battery to 0% is bad for the battery. Never drain a nimh battery.
OOPS sorry, IDK what I was thinking...
Why do people discharge batteries then?:confused:
question - Mr. Tune - 10-02-2006
3600 is a big pack.
Batteries 101:
mah stands for milliamp hour. 1000mA = 1A, so for example, 3600mah = 3.6ah. This means that if you put a 3.6 amp draw on the battery, it would take 1 hour to fully discharge.
Thinking in reverse, if you charged it at 3.6amps and it was dead, it would take 1 hour to charge. The lower you charge at, the longer it will take. Charging at a lower setting will help against peak detection problems, which help to get a better charge on the battery.
I charge my 3300packs in my starter box at 2amps and have never had a problem. When they are real low, it takes forever to charge, but that's ok. I start the charge before I go to bed and when it's done it'll simply trickle charge. In the morning, I swap to the other battery, start it up and head off to work. When I come back, they are ready to go
.Charging at high amps, like 4 should only be done in an emergency. Say you forgot to charge your batteries and you need some charge just to get you buy, then go for it. Otherwise stick to the lower settings for longer battery life.
question - Ponch - 10-02-2006
lol that's why for starter boxes I love my gel cell, it may be heavy but I haven't charged that sucker in 2+ weeks lol
question - snakebite46 - 10-02-2006
The man is right. I normally charge my 3300 venom packs @ 1 amp. It takes longer, but they'll last me all weekend. My charger has cycle capabilities, but I've messed with and stopped it few minutes later because I have no idea what a right discharge rate is. I've read 30amp discharge is correct. But that to me sounds really high.
question - Czech-it-Out Graphics - 10-02-2006
I charge the 3600's in my box at 5 amps and they take about a half hour to charge and have plenty of ass to get my motors goin
Ponch u will see the woes of gell cells sooner or later we all do
question - Ponch - 10-02-2006
Czech-it-Out Graphics Wrote:I charge the 3600's in my box at 5 amps and they take about a half hour to charge and have plenty of ass to get my motors goin
Ponch u will see the woes of gell cells sooner or later we all do
Sorry for off topic (somewhat) but what are the woes of gell cells besides the weight issue?
question - snakebite46 - 10-02-2006
Gell cells might last longer, but man they suck luggin around. Hope you don't have one of those days, "damn this thing is dead"
question - Ponch - 10-02-2006
snakebite46 Wrote:Gell cells might last longer, but man they suck luggin around. Hope you don't have one of those days, "damn this thing is dead"
I probably will eventually lol..Like at the last winter bash! hahaaa..
Back on topic...
question - Czech-it-Out Graphics - 10-02-2006
they dont last worth a damn either
question - AddictedtoNITRO - 10-02-2006
you guys are talking about starters and stuff I use these batts in my cars. lol I ain't advanced like ya'll and got top end nitro stuff that use bumpstarters. maybe I'll have to start charging at 2 amps 1 amp will make me drive 1 pack a day which is darn near worthless to have the cars then.
question - ghosty - 10-02-2006
actually these guys are kind of correct charging at a lower rate will increase run time but only slightly maybe 20 secs. but it will also make the car slower the problem is your batts are toast.questions for you have they ever gotten hot if they have it creates crystalyzing in the cell.do you let them tricle charge if you do you wil destroy them nimh do not like trickle charging also does your charger charge nimh specific batts.i noticed you said you have only charged them 20 to 30 times that actually is a lot of charging.in racing conditions they last maybe 20 times before they start to fall off.thats the expense of going fast though.if you need batts for racing p.m. me and i will hook you up with some of my good practice packs
question - AddictedtoNITRO - 10-02-2006
they get warm when they charge but not hot. A couple times they got to about 140 in the car/truck. I useually try not to let them trickle for more than a few mins if that so that they can even out the charge. I don't race unless you consider racing bashing the hell out of my stampede and rusty racing. Weird thing is that they advertise... charge them 1000 times!! lol
guerss I could 1000 time but might run for 15 secs lol. what kind of $ you looking for ghosty? Don't got a lot of cash right now wife is having daughter in a week
question - ghosty - 10-02-2006
if you were racing at leisure i would just give them to ya p.m. me if you plan to go up there soon
question - AddictedtoNITRO - 10-03-2006
yea I useually go there to just watch people who actually know how to drive. I can't drive worth a crap ask stratcat lol. Big open feild and we managed to collide lol. I am going to leisure this sunday to see whats happening.