Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
07-11-2003, 02:40 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
I know everyone is going to tell me to leave my transmitter and receiver on to discharge my batteries. Is there a good way to discharge NiCads without buying a discharger thats fast and efficient without buying a separate discharger. I have a Hobbico MKII. I don't want to buy another charger to discharge my batteries. Any Ideas?
07-11-2003, 03:40 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
This isn't the best answer because it involves another purchase, but I use the Sirius Super Test. It discharges and shows the capacity for the battery. Pretty good tool. 
http://www.siriuselectronics.com/supr_tst.htm
http://www.siriuselectronics.com/supr_tst.htm
07-11-2003, 05:49 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
The sirius tester is a good idea if I didn't already have a hangar 9 expanded voltage meter. Can you use the 250 MAh load on the voltmeter to discharge the battery?
07-11-2003, 05:50 PM
#6
How simple can you get ?
Is this simple enough ?? This is what I use to discharge my flight/Xmtr batts. Use a 12v bulb for the xmtr, and a 4.8v bulb for the Receiver batts. It takes about 45 minutes to pull down a 1200 mill Rec. battery to 2 volts... then recharge.
My Accucycler crapped out years ago and I've been using this system ever since !
All the Electronic Gurus might Flame this...But you wanted CHEAP !!
My Accucycler crapped out years ago and I've been using this system ever since !
All the Electronic Gurus might Flame this...But you wanted CHEAP !!
07-11-2003, 06:19 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
Why would they flame using a light bulb to discharge? Does it really matter what you use? Thanks.
07-11-2003, 06:22 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
I've got a Conquest tx, I can discharge that just by leaving it on.
I discharge my rx by hooking it up to a voltmeter.
I discharge my rx by hooking it up to a voltmeter.
07-11-2003, 06:25 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
You could also hook those bulbs into a digital voltmeter to creat a battery tester with a load. Do you know how many milliampload those bulbs create?
07-11-2003, 08:45 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
AMEN to that.
Just because it's a hobby doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on every item. I'd rather save the money for a new plane. I don't get joy out of spending $60.00 on something that runs down my battery.
Just because it's a hobby doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on every item. I'd rather save the money for a new plane. I don't get joy out of spending $60.00 on something that runs down my battery.
07-11-2003, 11:25 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
Why are you concerned about discharging your batteries??? Unless you are using some sort of device to integrate the current over the discharge period to determine the remaining battery capacity, there is little need to discharge batteries at all. The so-called "memory" effect is not a major concern with modern nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries. On the other hand, if you discharge batteries below a certain point, it is very possible that the battery pack will sustain permanent damage.
Ross
Ross
07-12-2003, 12:03 AM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
I guess I'm dating myself but I thought you had to discharge your NiCads, because of memory issues. Am I wrong?
07-12-2003, 02:44 AM
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"MEMORY EFFECT"
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.
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.
07-12-2003, 04:56 PM
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KISS is goood
http://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-9.html
Its called a battery bug, and works perfectly, for tx and rx.
this is quite simple.
Hope it helps
bye
Its called a battery bug, and works perfectly, for tx and rx.
this is quite simple.
Hope it helps
bye
07-13-2003, 10:33 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
If you like to build your own gear, you can download the plans for a very simple discharger from my website. www.geocities.com/datsmypal
07-13-2003, 11:33 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
Originally posted by DrPropwash
If you like to build your own gear, you can download the plans for a very simple discharger from my website. www.geocities.com/datsmypal
If you like to build your own gear, you can download the plans for a very simple discharger from my website. www.geocities.com/datsmypal
07-14-2003, 12:22 AM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
Ram Simple cycler - $18 from tower or I'll sell you mine for Which is set up to accept banana plugs for $10 plus ship.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDZ72&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDZ72&P=7
07-14-2003, 01:07 AM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
If you guys need the transistors, I have several left, otherwise www.digikey.com or mouser.com have the parts. Andy
07-14-2003, 02:04 PM
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
Personally, my favorite way to discharge a battery is .... to fly with it in my plane until it's time to go home 
08-11-2003, 02:02 AM
#24
Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
You will find some good tips on batteries, including discharging at ths thread, an outstanting information thread on Batteries - buy, build, use, maintain
http://www.radiocontrolzone.com/foru...threadid=79133
http://www.radiocontrolzone.com/foru...threadid=79133
08-11-2003, 01:08 PM
#25
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Does anybody have an easy way to discharge batteries?
Be very careful if you are discharging your transmitter batteries by just leaving the transmitter on. If you do, you need to leave the antenna fully extended to keep from overheating the output stage of the transmitter and causing an early failure. Now, if you leave the antenna up, make sure no one is flying nearby (within 5 miles) or you could cause them to crash due to interferance.
It is really not necessary to discharge the batteries befor charging them if you are using the charger that came with the radio. See Red's area at the top of this forum for the care and feeding of batteries; lots of good advice there.
It is really not necessary to discharge the batteries befor charging them if you are using the charger that came with the radio. See Red's area at the top of this forum for the care and feeding of batteries; lots of good advice there.