Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries?  
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries?
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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 7/25/2002 8:54:24 PM   
YUKON BOB


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 2/15/2002
From: WICHITA, KS, USA
Status: offline 		I have been flying R/C planes for a long time and it appears to me that my batteries don't live as long as they used to. I have been using Smart Chargers & Peak Field chargers lately and the life span of my batteries seems to be shorter. If these chargers are so smart why are they killing my batteries? I still use my trusty Digipace to cycle batteries regularly. Has anyone else noticed this or it is just the nature of using these types of chargers in place of the good old stand-by and wait 14 hours for a full charge types?? Batteries are not that expensive unless you have several airplanes and radios. (Like Me) :disappoin


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. - 7/25/2002 8:57:24 PM   
lnorris


 

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From: Oklahoma
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< Message edited by lnorris -- 9/11/2003 4:23:30 AM >

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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 7/25/2002 10:47:25 PM   
rcflier_gi



Posts: 465
Joined: 5/10/2002
From: Grand Island, NY, USA
Status: offline 		IMO fast peak charging is usually harder on a battery than a properly timed slow overnight charge that goes to trickle. Every peak charger I have owned always get the battery fairly warm at the end of the charge. The heat indicates some overcharging has occured and overcharging is bad. So I guess we pay a price for a quick charge.


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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 7/26/2002 4:44:08 AM   
starzak



Posts: 1698
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: offline 		Nothing but goodness here. I fly using a Sirius Pro, or Alpha 4 to charge about twice a week, 52 weeks per year.

No problems here.

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Peak charging - 7/26/2002 5:54:23 AM   
RC Accessory



Posts: 602
Joined: 12/7/2001
From: Tampa, FL, USA
Status: offline 		I rarely use a slow charge. I use a Alpha 4 and Dymond Super Turbo. My typical packs are usually tossed when they reach 2+ years old even though they cycle fine. Cheap insurance. I doid have 1 pack for over 4 years in a pattern plane. Always peak charged.

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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 7/26/2002 6:11:12 AM   
lch1780


 

Posts: 22
Joined: 7/22/2002
From: lake city , FL, USA
Status: offline 		the reason your batteries are getting hot is because they are reaching full peekness.If you want a good charge but fast do what ive been doing for 15 years invest in a peek charger that has a current adjust for instance charge a 5oo mh battery at 1/2 amp it will chare in aprox 1/2 hour but you battery will not get very warm chargers like the hobbico field charger charges at 2 1/2 amp and thats to fast for a 500mh batt im sorta stuck on the fma charger it will charge cycle discharge and charge any type of battery and it will fit in a small space in your field box i hope this helps some . happy flyin

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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 7/26/2002 6:50:23 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		I would contact Red and ask him but it may be due to the higher densities that exist with our high energy batteries. We are putting more energy in the same space and this may be why batteries don't seem to last as long as they did in past years.

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samples 4 years old and still strong - 7/26/2002 9:22:58 AM   
larryflew


 

Posts: 243
Joined: 1/19/2002
From: Young America, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Being we used to sell batteries wholesale to hobby shops we have several that have been on twice a week charge and discharge and after 4 years are still almost as good as when they were new. These were 1200 mah nicad 4/5 A receiver packs. Have done the same with 1700 SCR sub C packs that are also that old and they are better than they were when new.

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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 8/1/2002 3:21:10 PM   
mskyhawk


 

Posts: 107
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Indiana, USA !
Status: offline 		I have found that peek charging is fine as long as the battery is down to 1 volt. we can't run them in our radio equipment this low so before quick charging, put them on a discharger until they are about 1 volt then peek charge them. If you don't discharge them, they will build up a memory and their useful run time will get shorter and shorter every time you peek charge them.
It is also good to every once in a while put them on a trickle charger for a day or two to get them a full charge. A peek charger will "peek" them out but will not give them a full mah. charge which means less run time on a peek charge. Just a faster charge


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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 8/1/2002 9:21:20 PM   
Rodney



Posts: 4731
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: FL
Status: offline 		Myskyhawk, you are missinformed; nicads do not, repeat DO NOT have memories. This is an old wives tale that does not seem to die. Check out Red's site [url]www.rcbatteryclinic.com[/url] and read the various info he has posted there. Red seems to know what he is talking about, at least when it comes to battery care and feeding.
In general, if your batteries are getting hot, you are abusing them and can expect reduced life and/or useful cycles. You might also want to check out [url]www.panasonic.com/[/url] and dig down to their info on both NiCad and NiMh batteries. Get the scoop straight from the horses mouth, not rumors from the uniformed.

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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 8/2/2002 1:29:35 AM   
mskyhawk


 

Posts: 107
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Indiana, USA !
Status: offline 		OK Rodney, I will check out the links. But I just had to take my batteries off my battery cycler where they wouldn't show a charge or charge above 300mah. Now after 3 cycles they will hold and charge to the battery rating of 600mah.
This isn't removing a memory? or restoring my battery to it's full capacity?
Confused by your statement, I am, But I will keep an open mind and read the links you sent. I have been around these batteries for years and the term memory build up has been associated with them for as long as I can remember . I love this site because I learn something new all the time. But I will keep using my battery cycler every so often because it works.


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. - 8/2/2002 1:54:07 AM   
lnorris


 

Posts: 612
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: Oklahoma
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< Message edited by lnorris -- 9/11/2003 4:23:44 AM >

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. - 8/2/2002 2:06:19 AM   
lnorris


 

Posts: 612
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: Oklahoma
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< Message edited by lnorris -- 9/11/2003 4:23:58 AM >

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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 8/2/2002 2:53:23 AM   
mskyhawk


 

Posts: 107
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Indiana, USA !
Status: offline 		Thanks for this link Inorris. I haven't seen all of the link though I am still confused on the battery cycler. This document says it is harmful for nicads but yet it appears to help mine. I will read it completely and maybe it will help.
Thanks

< Message edited by mskyhawk -- Aug 1 2002 10:02PM >


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Are Peak Chargers Killing my Batteries? - 8/3/2002 7:46:33 AM   
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