Born2Fly

My Feedback: (21)

Hello fellows,

I got my Accu-Cycle Elite couple of days ago. I read manual couple of time but I am still confused with all this charge/discharge rates. Manual just lack of examples, if they will post a couple it will be just easier for me. So, I am here and I need your help. I have two batteries right now I want to be able cycle, Discharge, Charge and Fast Charge. Both are JR 5 cells 6V. One rated at 1650Mah and another one 2700 Mah. Could you please post the settings for each of those to all the cycles listed above? I am not an electricion guy, so some explanation will be great. Thank you in advance.

guver

My Feedback: (325)

What size (physical) are the cells? AA perhaps?
What type? nimh perhaps?

Trogdor the Burninator

I think the high capacity JR rx packs are larger than AA cells - subC nicd and nimh maybe? Anyway, the accucyle will give you a reasonable estimate of a charge rate when you enter the capacity in mah and number of cells. It'll probably be something like a 3 or 4 hour charge time.

For a "standard" overnight charge, use 165 and 270 ma or whatever is closest and it'll take 12-14 hours or so. For a fast charge of about an hour you can use 1650 and 2700 ma (1.65A or 2.70A). Those JR cells will probably handle a higher charge rate as well - I've used a 30 minute charge rate on lesser AA size cells and in your case that would be 3.3A and 5.4A but the accucyle elite maxes out at 2 amps.

The faster charge rates are nice in a pinch at the field but for best longevity of the packs, the slower rates are better.

A good way to tell when a battery is fully charged is when it starts to warm up. If it warms up too fast before it's really full or starts to get hot is when you know you're pushing too much current into the packs... just lower the rate. Monitor it the first couple times but since you only have 2 amps as a max, you'll probably not push those bigger packs too hard.

decay

That charger is easy to use, all your charge/discharge parameters
will be displayed on the LCD screen. Adjust them to what you
want by the 4 buttons to the right of LCD, Then the 3 buttons in a row
will start whatever function you want to do, Cycle, Chg ect.
Like any charger they take a little getting used to.

Born2Fly

My Feedback: (21)

Thats my problem. I am not sure what I want. Is 0.30a is good discharge rate for 6V 2700Mah Nimh pack?
Thank you.

Born2Fly

My Feedback: (21)

1650 Mah pack is AA cells and 2700 Mah is a bit bigger cells, but not SubC. Both are NiMH.

guver

My Feedback: (325)

You can probably get away with c/2 for a charge rate and discharge rate for a max. The elite will do a good job of auto setting the rate, but it is also a matter of preference.

I suppose it's like asking "what speed should I drive to a point 165 miles or 270 miles away?" It depends on how quick you want to go there.

Born2Fly

My Feedback: (21)

Well may be I am not asking the right question, I guess i am not getting the concept correctly. According to what you just said I need to be charging OR discharging my 2700Mah pach at 1400Ma or 1.4A. Is that correct? Thanks.

kadet

My Feedback: (5)

If these packs are new, and have not been formed yet, I would recommend charging at 10% of capacity, and discharging at 25% of capacity, ie.. charge the 1650 at 165mA for 15 hrs. Discharge at 400mA. This will break the packs in. Do it several times.

If the packs have already been formed, then charge at around 1C or 1.6A or less, and discharge at 400mA.

Use the same formula for the 2700mAh pack also.

This is a good general rule of thumb for charging and discharging.

Born2Fly

My Feedback: (21)

Thank you.

guver

My Feedback: (325)

I like recommending the MAX values because ANY rate up to the MAX value can be used. You got the concept, I am sure.

Chargeing can be c/2 MAX. Dischargeing can be 2C max.

Born2Fly

My Feedback: (21)

Thank you all for information. Now, I think I understand the whole process. Thanks again.

med601

My Feedback: (5)

Does it make a difference if the cells are AAA? I am cycling 2 new 5 cell 6V AAA NiMh 720 mAh packs on an Accu-Cycle Elite.
Can I use the Hobbico R/C multi charger to slow charge these NiMi's?
What rate should I use for fast charging on the Hobbico Quick field charger MK11?

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

The cells physical size does not matter when it comes to charging.