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Flying Geezer -> "MEMORY EFFECT" (7/12/2003 8:44:15 AM)
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Charlie,
I hope I didn't sound terse with a simple no, in my previous post.
"Memory effect" is a myth that can not be duplicated under laboratory conditions. The true effect that is experienced is voltage depression caused by partial discharging followed by even small overcharges.
You can't guess how much you took out of a battery, so you never know how much to put back with a wall mole. With a negative peak detecting charger, you will also get voltage depression. It is not a dangerous condition but you will get lower voltmeter readings and many think they are losing capacity due to slightly lower pack voltage.
When this does occur, you can drain your packs to approx. 1 v per cell, 4 v for a 4 cell flight pack 8 v for a tx pack. Then a recharge, sometimes it takes a couple of cycles, will bring your pack back to peak voltage.
This is not the big concern. You need a method to test the capacity of your packs. A battery pack with dangerously diminished capacity can still show a safe voltage, but be drained during flight in just a single flight.
The device you need can be bought for as little as $60 new, and a lot less used. Think of it as your best investment.
Losing control of a model can result in the loss of your plane, engine, radio gear, life, limb, and maybe injury to someone else. That would be hard to get over.
Before you step up to that next plane, engine, etc., protect the equipment you already have, plus yourself and your friends.
I have no quarrel with inexpensive. Just be sure you are in a position to know that you made your best effort to fly responsibly.
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