mark IX

My Feedback: (9)

I have a 1450 maH, 4.8V, NimH Rx pack and Iwould like to cycle it. The battery is about 3 years old.
When discharging: What discharge current should I use and what voltage should I discharge it down to w/o damaging the battery?
When recharging: What recharge current should I use w/o damaging the battery?

Mark

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

Hi there mate!
1. Charge the pack up completely at whatever ampamperage you normally would do it at.
2. Discharge the pack nearly completely with your charger. I make my discharge about half of my charge.
3. Charge up with about 1 to 1.2 amps.
4. Repeat 3-5 times.

mark IX

My Feedback: (9)

Does it matter how many amps I discharge it at?

Mark

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

I would think so. Just do it at half the charge rate.

Rodney

The discharge rate is only important in that you want it to be at a low enough rate so that it does not over heat the innards of the battery. A generally safe value is 1/3C. The typical value for lower limit of voltage is 0.9 volts per cell. It will not hurt if you unfortunately go lower on a cell as long as you NEVER let the weaker cells get a reverse charge. To insure a proper recharge do at least the first charge at 0.1C for at least 15 to 16 hours. This insures that ALL cells are fully charged yet was at a low enough rate that the weaker cells which reach full charge first are not damaged by internal heat. At this low rate (0.1C) you will not damage the cells should you error and leave them on charge for a full day.