jfarthing

I am wondering how long a reciever ni-cad pack last in terms of age and also number of charge cycles. I try to cycle my batteries periodically but I have several planes that only get flown a couple of times a year. Is there a rule of thumb before you toss them??

Thanks

Rcpilot

My Feedback: (78)

You could just leave it on a really low trickle all the time. I have a friend who does that. He's got a trickle charger that only puts out 15mah. He just leaves them plugged in all the time. It's worked for about 6yrs now. He might have replaced the batteries once, I think.

As for how many cycles are in a pack--I don't know.

I replace the batteries and switches in my GS gas planes every year. If they are cycling good, I'll stick them in a sport plane for another season. I don't ever run a battery for more than 2 seasons. It costs me about $100--$120 per plane to replace 3 batteries and 3 switches. I haven't crashed one because of a failed battery--not yet. (knock on wood) Is it overkill? Yeah. But, it's cheap insurance on a $2500-$3000 plane.

jfarthing

Thanks for the informed input. I will put it to use.

bbbair

A good battery cycler is not a purchase - it is a GREAT INVESTMENT!

I cycle my batteries (Transmitter AND Receiver) several times a year.

Don M.

My Feedback: (5)

A battery cycler has saved me at least 3 or 4 planes in the last 15 years. When my planes are being heavily used in the summer I try to cycle each battery once a week.