Cycle batteries
 

I have a few batteries which whether or not their still good is questionable. One is old and one is suspected of causing a crash. I was tole by a few people at my field that I could cycle (or discharge) the batteries to find out if they are any good. I just got a Great Planes Triton Charger. I was wondering how I should set this (rate, minimum voltage, etc.) and how to interpret the data. One is a nimh receiver pack and one is a nicd receiver pack. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

RE: Cycle batteries
 

That type of battery has no memory effect; hence, cycling is not necessary.

I would fully charge them and test the discharge capacity.

Here is a long but good reading:

http://www.hangtimes.com/rcbattery_faq.html

http://www.hangtimes.com/redsbatteryclinic.html

RE: Cycle batteries
 

That answered some questions. I was told that if I cycle the NiMh battery, I could find out if a cell was possibly dead, causing failure. What would I look for. I was also told that since the NiCD sat for such a long time if i cycled it once or twice i could revive it, is that true?

On a somewhat unrelated note, does anyone know/have the manual the GWS-MC2002 or ACE R/C Pro Series Smart Charge Chargers?
Thanks again for the articles, a lot of good advice.

RE: Cycle batteries
 

Scratch the GWS, I was able to find that manual

RE: Cycle batteries
 

Looked over everything again and answered my own questions, except for the manual for that last charger. Any help?

RE: Cycle batteries
 

Yes, the NiCd should be cycled.

Sorry, I misread your initial post and supposed both were NiMh.

Cycle the NiCd a couple of times and then test it with a loaded voltmeter.

RE: Cycle batteries
 

Actually the Triton has the ability to measure discharged current.

What you want to do is charge then discharge the battery pack two or three times.

Then charge it again and set the Triton to discharge it at the 1C rating of the pack...

e.g. if the pack is rated at 1200mAh discharge it at 1.2A...

Then check how long the battery takes to discharge and how much current the Triton says was delivered from the pack.

e.g. if the Triton reports that it discharged 1100mAH from the pack ( assuming 1200mA capacity ), it is in very good shape.

If it only was able to get 500, then I'd consider the pack bad.

RE: Cycle batteries
 

Thanks for all of the advice.