NiMh Charging Question
10-09-2003, 09:10 AM
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NiMh Charging Question
I'm thinking about switching from Nicd's to NiMh's. Can I charge with my standard Nicd Charger? How about my cycler?
looking for some basic info before I make the purchase. If "NO" on the NiCd charger, then why?
Thanks in advance!
looking for some basic info before I make the purchase. If "NO" on the NiCd charger, then why?
Thanks in advance!
10-09-2003, 09:56 AM
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RE: NiMh Charging Question
The answeer to your question and, hopefully, any other question you may have about Li Po is now on line at www.fmadirect.com Open the web site, click on support, and scroll to Applications note. Open the pdf file for Kokam USA Li Po Systems and scroll to "Charging".
10-09-2003, 03:56 PM
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RE: NiMh Charging Question
I have no technical expertise to offer. Here is my experience.
I have Nimh batteries. I have charged then with my regular radio charger. I have cycled them with my Ace Digipace 1 cycler. I have fast charged them with my Hobbico field charger. They all seem to work with no problem. All of the chargers/cyclers and peak detection functions worked the same as with the Nicads. I have been doing this all summer.
Ed S
I have Nimh batteries. I have charged then with my regular radio charger. I have cycled them with my Ace Digipace 1 cycler. I have fast charged them with my Hobbico field charger. They all seem to work with no problem. All of the chargers/cyclers and peak detection functions worked the same as with the Nicads. I have been doing this all summer.
Ed S
10-10-2003, 07:34 PM
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RE: NiMh Charging Question
Hi, Fred, good to see you're watching, but his question was about charging NiMH with his current charger.
My answer is to use your charger, and if it's adjustable set it to C1 (Charge at the rated capacity of the cells). But for the first time you do this monitor the temperature of the pack throughout the charge cycle and if it gets hot at any time stop charging. NiMH's will get comfortably warm during charge and that's OK.
If your charger does not recognize peak voltage keep the pack in your hand or monitor a digital voltmeter to determine completion of the charge. Tex
My answer is to use your charger, and if it's adjustable set it to C1 (Charge at the rated capacity of the cells). But for the first time you do this monitor the temperature of the pack throughout the charge cycle and if it gets hot at any time stop charging. NiMH's will get comfortably warm during charge and that's OK.
If your charger does not recognize peak voltage keep the pack in your hand or monitor a digital voltmeter to determine completion of the charge. Tex
10-11-2003, 12:10 PM
#6
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RE: NiMh Charging Question
All the manufacturers I have checked with emphatically say that for the first three charges, do not exceed C/10 and; after that never fast charge at more than 1C if you want maximum life and efficiency from your battery.
