3D Flyer

My Feedback: (37)

What can I expect as the number of times I can charge
my Zagi 400X battery?

ranchpig

That's a loaded question
So many variables... type of battery, how hard you discharge it, charge it etc.

Two extremes: (nicad) Charging with lower rates, regular cycling, good throttle management (not over amping it, watching the temps. Expect maximum life.

Conversely... Hi-rate charging, max amperage draws, overheating... they'll shorten it dramatically. Also, older nimh's aren't as good as the new ones.

Note: nimh's don't require Cycling (total discharge)

3D Flyer

My Feedback: (37)

what is maximum life expected to be?

scubanarc

The current statistic on NiMH CLAIMS 1000x charge cycle. This of course is reduced everytime you get the pack too hot by charging or draining too fast.

I have put about 250 cycles on one pack without a problem. That is not uncommon. Anyone getting near 1000 yet?

3D Flyer

My Feedback: (37)

Well, I was inquiring about the NiCd batteries that come standard with a Zagi.
Does anyone know the lifespan of these?

I got about 60 cycles and it got extremely hot on a charge.

PaulVi

Mine gets hot near the end of the charge evey time. kinda depends on the charge rate. I have about 200 cycles on my 1700 pack and about the same on some 1100's both get hot but I fast charge then every time.

Heat is relitive where they to hot to hold? did the melt some thing? If they were hot but you could touch them to your cheak they are probly normally hot at the end of a quick (not fast charge)

3D Flyer

My Feedback: (37)

No, no, no ... when I say hot I mean HOT. You couldn' hold it. I know what you mean about a fast charge
cycle being hot ... this was not that it was much hotter. It was creating a burning smell. Nothing melted but it was
getting close to melting.

I am just wondering why my battery failed. The battery only reads 9.2v with a dvm. I only had about 60 cycles on it.

scubanarc

There are 1000's of reasons why your pack could have failed. Most likely only one cell has died and can be cut out and replaced. Next to overcharging, the number 2 cause of NiCad failure is cycling.

I know that there are lots of opinions on NiCad cycling, and there are lots of valid points why a pack should and should not be cycled. However, one point is inarguable: do not cycle your NiCad battery packs to 0V! This is so important. If you are reading 0V on your pack, then you risk reverse currenting some of your cells, and this will ruin them. Subsequently they will get very hot when you charge them.

Side note: The memory effect only happens if you drain your cells to just about exactly the same amount EVERY cycle, as was observed by NASA in satellites. It is just about impossible for the RC hobbyist to duplicate the memory effect.

So, long answer short: Did you power cycle your cells? If so, that is the most likely cause.

3D Flyer

My Feedback: (37)

Nope, did not cycle them.

I have a Hobbico Quick Field Charger MKII that I used. It has an auto
peak detection ckt. I am wondering if something went wrong and it over charged
the battery ....??? I am just confused as to why it failed. I have charge it many times on
the same charger.

Or maybe a cell shorted?


I am really trying to understand if this battery failed prematurely. It sounds like 60
charging and uses in my Zagi is not too many and I should have gotten more.