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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> Charging For Dummies
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Charging For Dummies - 8/26/2003 9:37:13 AM   
DMUCOP



Posts: 188
Joined: 10/15/2002
From: KANSAS CITY, MO, USA
Status: offline 		Okay, I am a brain dead modeler...

I need a little help on understanding how long to charge and at what charge rate to charge my NiMH batteries.

I have a 2700 MAh and a 2000 MAh NiMH battery packs.

I have a Ace AT2000 with a 25 MAh, 50 MAh, and a 120 MAh charge rate selector switch. The AT2000 is at the full rate of the selected amount for 16 hours and then goes on to a trickle charge.

The question is: Should I charge the two battery packs at 50 MAh for the 16 hours, or at 120 MAh for 16 hours to get a full charge.

Will my Ace Super Smart Charger keep my batteries peak charged and keep the individual cells awake when I use it at the field?

Any help that could be phrased in Laymen's terms would be great!

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Charging For Dummies - 8/26/2003 8:00:55 PM   
Hoferitza


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 7/12/2003
From: Syracuse, UT
Status: offline 		In my experience, a 16 hour charge should be done at .1C (10% of the rated capacity of the pack). In your case 270mA or 200mA. I don't know anything about your charger, but based on what you've said, it doesn't have the ability to charge you packs at a high enough current to get a good charge in 16 hours. BTW, I am a big advocate of the .1C charge. It takes longer, but gives you a better charge.

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Charging For Dummies - 8/28/2003 11:05:45 AM   
DMUCOP



Posts: 188
Joined: 10/15/2002
From: KANSAS CITY, MO, USA
Status: offline 		I can understand that..

How about some charger Ideas Pros Con to each!

Keep It Simple Stupid

K.I.S.S. for short!

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Charging For Dummies - 8/28/2003 7:29:44 PM   
Hoferitza


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 7/12/2003
From: Syracuse, UT
Status: offline 		It all depends on how you want to approach it. Do you want to buy or build? Not really up on all the chargers you can buy, but I have built some very simple chargers for my packs. They are not very versatile, they're set to one charge current, but they are very good .1C chargers and fairly cheap.

On the pros and cons, if you are buying, look for a charger that has a finer current adjust. Large steps, say 500mA (.5A), are probably to large. Look for something that has 100mA step, at the most. Smaller would even be better. This would allow you to more accurately adjust for .1C.

BTW, how many cells are in the packs you are charging?

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Charging For Dummies - 8/28/2003 8:32:32 PM   
SunShyne



Posts: 3733
Joined: 12/25/2002
From: Vienna, VA, USA
Status: online 		I have similar questions regarding chargers.

I have some 4 cell 4.8 packs and use the suppiled Futaba wall charger for them. I want to try larger 6 volt packs and am not sure if I will need a different charger for them? Im pretty sure those Futaba chargers charge at 50 mah or so.

anyone have any unput on this?

Im also looking for a multi charger than can several packs at one time.

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Charging For Dummies - 8/28/2003 10:02:01 PM   
DMUCOP



Posts: 188
Joined: 10/15/2002
From: KANSAS CITY, MO, USA
Status: offline 		I am charging 4 cells.

I would like to open this up to questions and answers.

I would like to get a triton... I think?

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Charging For Dummies - 8/29/2003 1:04:23 AM   
Hoferitza


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 7/12/2003
From: Syracuse, UT
Status: offline 		Q&A is good.

DMUCOP - A 4-cell charger (.1C type) can be put together pretty easily. Which Triton?

DiabloKid - I don't know if the Futaba charger will do 6-cells. What is the Model number? A multi-pack charger is very doable. I built one for myself. It's a simple approach. Also, what is the capacity of your packs (mAh rating)?

Both - what kind of electronics background do you have?

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Charging For Dummies - 8/29/2003 1:22:25 AM   
SunShyne



Posts: 3733
Joined: 12/25/2002
From: Vienna, VA, USA
Status: online 		My mistake, I meant 5 cell 6 volt packs

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Charging For Dummies - 8/29/2003 5:33:20 AM   
DMUCOP



Posts: 188
Joined: 10/15/2002
From: KANSAS CITY, MO, USA
Status: offline 		I have no backround in electronics...

I would like some pros and cons on the great planes triton...

I don't really want to get into building one...

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Charging For Dummies - 8/29/2003 11:06:58 PM   
greenboot



Posts: 1173
Joined: 1/16/2002
From: St Louis, MO, USA
Status: offline 		I've been looking at chargers after using wall warts for 4 years.

My understanding is the Triton will cycle and/or charge just about any pack. But it only does one battery at a time. It needs a 12v power supply so an adapter is required for home use. Everyone seems to like it and it has lots of programable options to give a custom charge! Price: $129.

I like the Hobbico Delux Field Charger II. It does two batteries at once, also from a 12 volt supply. It does not cycle (discharge) them or tell you the actual capacity. You simply set the desired charge rate with a dial. It charges until the pack is full then continues at a trickle rate. Price: $49.

The funny thing is everyone seems to love their charger, including me (who loves using wall warts). The only reason I'm getting a new one is the wart can't handle a 2700maH pack.

Tom

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Charging For Dummies - 8/29/2003 11:51:32 PM   
SunShyne



Posts: 3733
Joined: 12/25/2002
From: Vienna, VA, USA
Status: online 		wall warts? Im confused. Can someone fill me on what this is?

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Charging For Dummies - 8/30/2003 12:14:32 AM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4980
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by DiabloKid
wall warts? Im confused. Can someone fill me on what this is? [/QUOTE]

Wall warts = those little (usually black) boxes you plug directly into an AC outlet. Chargers, AC adapters, etc.

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Charging For Dummies - 9/1/2003 7:43:37 AM   
Sascha



Posts: 5
Joined: 9/1/2003
From: RichmondVictoria, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		Hi,

1st time RC car owner here! Please don't be to harsh

Ok, after reading this thread, I have two questions:

I am using a 2100mAh 6 cell 7.2v NiCad & currently charge this by hooking it up via the supplied leads to my car battery. This takes somewhere around 30 minutes to charge.

I would like to use a wall-wart to chage my pack overnight so I have a car to play with Saturday Morning (8

I have a wall-wart that came from an electric drill. (6 cell, 7.2v) and it states: Ryobi Charger 7.2vDC 300MA.

I have a second wall-wart that came from a second drill (6cell, 7.2v) and states:
Ryobi Charger 10vDC 600MA

Ok, here's the question! (Sorry, got here in the end)

If I use the first wall-wart, I would expect the charge to be somewhere around 12 hours. (Charge time of the drill)

If I use the second, having a higher voltage (10v for a 7.2v battery) and twice the current (600MA) with my required current being (at .1C) 210MA the battery should be charged in around 4 hours. (Fast charger?)

Am I thinking correctly ??

Oh, and since these both state 'Ryobi Charger' can I assume that they have voltage/current control built in??

Cheers,
Sascha.

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Charging For Dummies - 9/1/2003 11:50:45 AM   
adam_one


 

Posts: 399
Joined: 2/26/2003
From: Stockholm, SWEDEN
Status: offline 		[COLOR=blue]Charge Time (Hours) = 1.4 x Battery Capacity / Charging Current[/COLOR]
(assuming a constant charging current is used).

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