Hello, with all this talk about nicad vs nimhd...i have a question:

Should I use my new accu-cycle(not the plus) to charge my receiver pack batteries? one pack is nicad and one is nimhd. Should I use the accu-cycle to also discharge them? has anyone had any problems with the nimhd failing? the nimhd is a 1450 ma 4.8V pack and will be one year old this summer.

Thanks guys

Since the Accu-Cycle is a slow charger, it should work with either pack type.

i just noticed on my NiHD battery pack that it says do not charge with a peak charger....my accu-cycle is a peak charger...tower hobbies says it will work on NiHD battery packs. What is going on here? anyone have any history good/bad about this?

I looked at the tower link and nowhere does it say it is a peak charger.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL357&P=7

ok then what exactly is a peak charger and why can you not use them with NiHD

Windbuster

http://www.members.aol.com/davthacker/nimhfaq.htm

has some info.

The accu-cycle charges for a fixed time then goes into trickle. This is a slow charger. A peak charger is one that will charge the pack until it senses the drop in pack voltage when the pack is charged. This drop is more pronounced in NiCads.

You can peak charge a NiMh as long as the charger is manufactured to do so. The peak detect methods are a little different, and unless the charger is designed to detect the more subtle peak of the NiMh packs, it can miss the peak and overcharge the battery. Most chargers have a secondary timer that is designed to stop the charge process after a fixed time period in the event of a missed peak.

The Accu-Cycle is a timed charger. The Accu-Cycle Plus is a peak charger. However, the Accu-Cycle Plus specificially states it is not designed for NiMh battery types.

I peak charge my NiMh packs all the time. The NiMh cell manufacturers data sheets for the AA cells show peak charging the NiMh cells are well within the limits of the design parameters.

i want to thank everyone for their help. although some people know more about one subject in rc flying.....others know more about different subject. i am very happy that i learned more about chargers and batteries. it may have saved a good plane and preserved a positive outlook on this sport.

thanks again!!!